Brit History Month – July 2021

Sponsored by the British Isles Historic Society

A History, Heritage, Customs and Traditions celebration of those immigrants, fur traders, farmers, explorers, financiers, prospectors, merchants, etc. that came from the countries that make up the British Isles: England, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, North Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  Those that came from the British Isles, that left their homeland for hopes of a brighter future.  They took on and endured hardships and challenges to make British Columbia, Canada their new home.  Their names are on buildings, towns and cities, parks, roads, rivers, lakes and mountains. We remember their contribution to the events that made history in B.C. Their history needs to be shared with others so that their energy and efforts will be recognized and their successes recorded.

On July 20th. 1871. The colony joined Canada as the country’s sixth province “British Columbia”.
During July “Brit History Month” we will be celebrating and giving recognition to the extensive contribution that those that came from the countries of the British Isles: England, Scotland, Wales, North Ireland, Isle of Man, Cornwall and the Republic of Ireland had made to the Heritage, History, Traditions and Customs of those that live in British Columbia.
With the arrival of those from Great Britain came a series of trading posts, and two consecutive gold rushes in the mid-1800s which brought an influx
of prospectors, merchants, fur traders, farmers and pioneers from around the world. The 1900’s marked another period of rapid growth, with massive
building projects including dams, bridges, railways, ferries, and the completion of the Trans Canada Highway. Many of those projects were the result of those that came from England, Ireland, and Scotland.
On July 1, 1867: The British North America Act (today known as the Constitution Act, 1867) created Canada. June 20, 1868: Governor General Lord Monck signs a proclamation that requests all Her Majesty’s subjects across Canada to celebrate July 1.
The central region was given the name of “New Caledonia” by explorer Simon Fraser. To avoid confusion with Colombia in South America and the island of New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean, Queen Victoria named the area British Columbia when it became a colony in 1858.
The province’s name was chosen by Queen Victoria, when the Colony of British Columbia (1858–1866), i.e., “the Mainland”, became a British colony in 1858.
Then on July 20th. 1871. The colony joined Canada as the country’s sixth province “British Columbia”. The new immigrants that came from Great Britain, North Ireland and the Republic of Ireland left their homeland in the hopes of a new future. They brought with them many of their customs and traditions that are still in use by the citizens of British Columbia.
We continue to remember their contributions when we celebrate Commonwealth Day, Victory Day, Burn’s Night, St. David’s Day, St. George’s Day, St. Andrew’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, St.
Piran’s Day, Tynwald Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Queen Elizabeth II birthdays.
If you were born in the U.K., have ancestors in the U.K. or had a holiday in the U.K. you are invited to join with us in a celebration of “Brit History Month”