Latest news with #sesquicentennial
National Post
20-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Raymond J. de Souza: Riding the rails of a Canadian triumph
ON BOARD THE CANADIAN — One hundred and fifty years ago, on the left bank of the Kaministiquia River, four miles from Thunder Bay, the first sod was turned for the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was a June afternoon in 1875. Article content 'We have met today for no other purpose than to inaugurate the beginning of the actual construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway,' said Judge Delevan Van Norman to the assembly of some 500 dignitaries. Article content Article content Article content In this sesquicentennial summer of patriotic holidays prompted by the American menace — or more precisely, one menacing American — when better to board The Canadian, Via Rail's four-day trip from Vancouver to Toronto — over the Rockies, across the plains, around the Great Lakes and down the Canadian Shield? Article content Article content It's not exactly elbows-up in a sleeper berth or the dining car, but from each according to his ability, as our prime minister certainly did not say. Yet with George Grant, Pierre Berton and Richard Gwyn in my mobile library, it is a propitious time to think about the Canadian project. My copy of Lament for a Nation belonged to the late Hugh Segal, so memories of eminent Canadians are company along the rails. Article content A century and a half of history asks if we are still capable of great projects. Prime Minister Mark Carney insists that we are, and Parliament recently passed a bill fast-tracking projects of national importance. No project was ever as important as the CPR was to the nation. It made the nation. Article content Article content Judge Van Norman spoke of recent immigrants to Canada, who 'seeking a new home in this new world, but still under the old flag, may with celerity, safety and certainty examine the country from Cape Breton in Nova Scotia to Vancouver's Island in British Columbia, in the meantime passing over a space as vast as the great ocean that divides and separates the old world from the new.' Article content Article content Canada was still new in 1875; less than 10 years had passed since Confederation. This Sunday (July 20) marks the anniversary of British Columbia joining the fledgling Dominion in 1871. Sir John A. Macdonald promised a national railway as a condition of joining. It was an reckless promise to make, impossible to fulfill in any timely manner. Sir John A. kept his promise. Article content It was a national project, not a partisan one. Scandals over CPR contracts drove Sir John A. from office in 1873, but the project was continued by his successor, Alexander Mackenzie, Canada's first Liberal prime minister. How important was the CPR? Mackenzie appointed himself his own minister of public works, directing the railway project himself.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oconomowoc rings in 150 years with celebration that draws thousands: 'An exceptional day'
OCONOMOWOC — Not even a quickly approaching thunderstorm and a canceled music set was going to stop thousands of people from celebrating the City of Oconomowoc's 150th anniversary. After a year of planning, Visit Oconomowoc and the Chamber of Commerce hosted the HOMETown Celebration, marking the city's sesquicentennial year of existence. The weekend of festivities concluded with a downtown party July 5 that featured food trucks, beer tents, street dancing and a main stage with live music. "I feel like I'm at the state fair," said Oconomowoc resident Sue Taylor, who came to get food and listen to country music. Sara Ninmann, chamber director of community events, said people love to come out and party in downtown Oconomowoc where they can support local businesses. She added that putting on the event during the Fourth of July weekend was a challenge, but the city and chamber were happy to do it to celebrate the 150th anniversary. Jeff McCarthy, who serves on the chamber board as past president, has been working with Ninmann for a couple of years to bring these events to life. He said seeing the anniversary celebration come to fruition with a large crowd was rewarding. Ninmann and McCarthy estimated that there were "easily" more than 10,000 attendees throughout the day — including the mayor of Dietzenbach, Oconowomoc's sister city in Germany. Ninmann said the food trucks and beverage tents had to restock more than she expected throughout the day due to the event's popularity. "It just shows you how excited people are about their community," Ninmann said. "They love to come out and be a part of it." While the last of three scheduled music sets was canceled due to inclement weather, Ninmann said the celebration would continue elsewhere. She said downtown Oconomowoc offers a number of small businesses for partiers to duck into and support. "That's the nice thing about down here," Matt Nesser said. "There's plenty of places where you can stop off if it's raining." Matt and his wife Marissa moved to Oconomowoc a decade ago and said they appreciate the tight knit community where everyone is willing to help each other. "Especially the street we live on, all of our neighbors know us, they all come over and help if we need it," Marissa Nesser said. "We love that." The Nessers live within walking distance of the HOMETown Celebration and decided to go out with their two dogs to the event. They said they were excited to check out the food trucks and support their community. Doug Mathison, owner of Say Cheese Curd Company, has been bringing his food truck to events across Wisconsin for 15 years. He called the 150th anniversary celebration an exceptional day for selling food. "Wisconsin is just such a special place," Mathison said. "The people celebrate just about anything." Contact Mia Thurow at mthurow@ This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Oconomowoc rings in 150 years with celebration that draws thousands
New York Times
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
150 Years of Scribbles at the Art Students League
150 Years of Scribbles at the Art Students League Long a center of artistic development for New Yorkers big and small, the League celebrates its sesquicentenary this year with a dream-themed ball. Learn more Listen to this article · 0:11 min Share full article
