The Centennial of the City of Toronto was celebrated in 1934, commemorating the incorporation of York into the City of Toronto. The celebrations included numerous events, exhibitions, and commemorations. Of the most modern relevance is the "Toronto's Hundred Years" Publication Committee, which published Toronto's 100 Years , from which much historical perspective may be found.
Along with a General Centennial Committee, Toronto had at least sixteen Special Committees. They were the Music and Pageantry, Permanent Memorial, Flying, The "Toronto's Hundred Years" Publication, Travel Promotion, Veteran Reunion, Pictures, Religious Services, Stamp Exhibition, Sports, Street Decorations, Flower Show, Song Judging, Public Address, National Groups, and the Drills Corps Display Committee (which included a Mailing List Committee).
It is possible more Committees existed, as it was published "It is greatly regretted that the names of the members of other committees which are being formed are not available for this edition."
| Music and Pageantry Committee | Ernest MacMillan, B.A., Mus. Doc., F.R.C.M., F.R.C.O., (Chairman), Captain J. S. Atkinson, Eugene Beaupré, Milton Blackstone, E. P. Burns, C. B. Cleveland, F.R.I.B.A., Fredric C. Foy, H. A. Fricker, M.A., Mus. Doc, F.R.C.O., (Chairman - Music Subcommittee), Major A. C. Galbraith, Miss Pearl McCarthy, M.A., B. Litt., (Oxon), J. Campbell McInnes, A. J. Mason, Lawrence Mason, M.A., Ph.D., J. E. Middleton, Herbert E. Moore, F.R.A.I.C., (Chairman - Pageantry Sub-Committee), W. M. Murdoch, George A. Patton, B.S.A., Thomas M. Sargant, Owen Staples, O.S.A., Edgar Stone, Miss E. Tedd, F. R. McVity |
| Permanent Memorial Committee | George H. Locke, M.A., LL.D., (Chairman), C. E. Chambers, Hector Charlesworth, Shirley Denison, K.C., Alderman H. W. Hunt, Tracy D. Le May, Colonel Mackenzie Waters, M.C. |
| Flying Committee | Wing-Commander D. G. Joy, A.F.C., R.C.A.F., Squadron Leader G. S. O'Brian, A.F.C., R.C.A.F., Major R. E. Nicholl, Fleet-Lieutenant W. A. Curtis, D.S.C, R.C.A.F., Fleet-Lieutenant A. H. Keith Russell, R.C.A.F., Lee Murray |
| The "Toronto's Hundred Years" Publication Committee | F. D. L. Smith, (Chairman), Eric Arthur, M.A., A.R.I.B.A., Hugh Eayrs, Main Johnson, A. H. Robson |
| Travel Promotion Committee | W. Fulton, (Chairman), A. H. Foster, John V. Foy, W. F. Prendergast, H. F. Tilley, Charles Watson |
| Veteran Reunion Committee | Major Alex Lewis, (Chairman), Colonel W. Rhodes, D.S.O., M.C., Captain W. W. Parry, K. C., Captain V. W. Fairweather, Sergeant Charles J. Brown |
| Pictures Committee | Martin Baldwin, M. O. Hammond, Arthur Lismer, T. A. Reed |
| Religious Services Committee | Rev. Canon C. V. Pilcher, M.A., D.D., Anglican Church, (Chairman), Rev. John Marshall, Baptist Church, Rev. G. M. Dunn, Presbyterian Church, Rev. G. Kelly, B.A., Roman Catholic Church, Major Noah Pitcher, Salvation Army, Rabbi S. Sachs, B. A., Jewish Synagogues, Rev. W. Harold Young, M.A., D.D., United Church of Canada |
| Stamp Exhibition Committee | C. F. Foster, Fred Jarret, G. G. Macdonald, W. I. MacTavish, Donald Taylor |
| Sports Committee | Lieutenant-ColonelT. R. Loudon, (Chairman), George H. Beedham, Hamilton Cassels, John de Gruchy, Chief Inspector George Guthrie, Alderman Fred Hamilton, Charles E. Higginbottom, Elwood Hughes, James G. Merrick, P. J. Mulqueen, Fred Nobert, Harry Price, MPP, Charles E. Ring, Major Alexander Sinclair, John W. Turner, T. K. Wade |
| Street Decorations Committee | Lieutenant-Colonel F. H. Marani, F.R.A.I.C., (Chairman), Fred S. Haines, Maurice Grimbly, F. M. Kay, Ivor Lewis, F. W. Peasnell, Percy Quinn, W. H. Stainton |
| Flower Show Committee | Percy Bone, (Chairman), C. E. Chambers, G. I. Christie, B.S.A., Ds. C., John F. Clarke, Harry Endean, J. B. Fairbairn, Lionel Godson, John S. Hall, William McKay, F. C. Nunnick, B.S.A., John Oakes |
| Song Judging Committee | Ernest Seitz, (Chairman), Jack Arthur, Rex Battle, Donald Heins, Peter C. Kennedy, E. J. Pratt, M.A., D.D. Th. D., F.R.S.C. |
| Public Address Committee | Major L. Anthes, W. J. Cairns, J. G. Clarke, S. B. Gundy, Colonel B. O. Hooper, J. McCoubrey, W. G. Mills, J. F. M. Stewart, John Tory, Captain R. J. Williams, E. W. Wright, K.C. |
| National Groups Committee | Kenneth L. Cameron, (Chairman), Mrs. Frank Adams, J. H. K. Booth, Mrs. P. Foster, N. Hornyansky, Rev. J. I. McKay |
| Drills Corps Display Committee | Inspector Robert Alexander, Mrs. J. B. Colgan, A. Coulter, Mrs. Mary Cusack, Mrs. J. Hall, Mrs. J. G. Howell, A. Johnson, Mrs. Thomas Kerr, Mrs. Charles C. Lewis, Mrs. Mary C. Mayhew, Morley E. McKenzie, R. E. Midgley, S. C. Parks, Display Marshall, Dr. H. Pocock, Mrs. Ruth M. Quinn, Mrs. Rockwood, John Roxborough |
| Mailing List Committee | George A. Mitchell, (Chairman), W. J. Foster, Mrs. A. May Ralston |
While events occurred throughout the year, many were scheduled to happen in one of three three-day periods. The first began on Victoria Day, the second after Dominion Day (now Canada Day), and the third at the end of summer, but before the Canadian National Exhibition's annual opening.
Of note, Toronto first proclaimed Victoria Day in 1848.
Victoria Day (the 24th) was dedicated to the re-opening of Fort York.
Running all three nights of the period was an "inspiring historic" Empire Pageant. Held at night, the outdoor performances looked at the history of the city from the establishments of Natives and M. de la Galissoniere, to then present day educational, industrial, and social developments.
The first-ever reunion of the Canadian Corps was held in Toronto, over a three-day period. While there was mischief reported, for the most part, the soldier's celebration went off smoothly.
While original plans called for German and Austrian veterans to be included in the parade, they were scratched on the day of. Corps reunion officials said, "They will not parade with the corps. Beyond that, we do not wish to comment." [1]
After two days of hospitalization in Neudeck, East Prussia, President Paul Von Hindenburg of Germany died of uremia poisoning on 2 August 1934. [2] Shortly after news of the 86-year-old's passing made Berlin, Chancellor Adolf Hitler was named President by Constitutional amendment. [3] By the start of Toronto event for Great War veterans, German Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels was reported to be working on a "high-pressure drive to bring Germans in mass to the polls Aug. 19 to vote Adolf Hitler into office as... "Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor"." [4]
The host city itself was busy dealing with the Ontario Hunger Marchers. Marchers were holding a meeting in Toronto parks without permits. [5] While the hunger marchers had walked the highways down to the event, they were sent home via capacity-loaded trucks, as ordered by Premier Mitchell Hepburn, to remove them from the city. [6] These Marchers were so prominent that some children mistook a veteran with a red beret for one. [7]
Some residents complained that "our largest hotels lack decorations of any description, and especially this week," when the veterans were in town. [8]
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Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg was a German field marshal and statesman who led the Imperial German Army during World War I and later became President of Germany from 1925 until his death in 1934. During his presidency, he played a key role in the Nazi seizure of power in January 1933 when, under pressure from advisers, he appointed Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of Germany.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who have fought and died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May; from 1868 to 1970 it was observed on May 30.
The Centennial International Exhibition of 1876, the first official World's Fair to be held in the United States, was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 10 to November 10, 1876, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. Officially named the International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures, and Products of the Soil and Mine, it was held in Fairmount Park along the Schuylkill River on fairgrounds designed by Herman J. Schwarzmann. Nearly 10 million visitors attended the exposition, and 37 countries participated in it.
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), also known as The Exhibition or The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on the third Friday of August leading up to and including Canadian Labour Day, the first Monday in September. With approximately 1.5 million visitors each year, the CNE is Canada's largest annual fair and the sixth largest in North America. The first Canadian National Exhibition took place in 1879, largely to promote agriculture and technology in Canada. Agriculturists, engineers, and scientists exhibited their discoveries and inventions at the CNE to showcase the work and talent of the nation. As Canada has grown as a nation, the CNE has reflected the growth in diversity and innovation, though agriculture and technology remain a large part of the CNE. For many people in the Greater Toronto Area and the surrounding communities, the CNE is an annual family tradition.
The Canadian Centennial was a yearlong celebration held in 1967 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. Celebrations in Canada occurred throughout the year but culminated on Dominion Day, July 1, 1967. Commemorative coins were minted, that were different from typical issues with animals on each — the cent, for instance, had a dove on its reverse. Communities and organizations across Canada were encouraged to engage in Centennial projects to celebrate the anniversary. The projects ranged from special one-time events to local improvement projects, such as the construction of municipal arenas and parks. The Centennial Flame was also added to Parliament Hill. Children born in 1967 were declared Centennial babies.
The Toronto Evening Telegram was a conservative, broadsheet afternoon newspaper published in Toronto from 1876 to 1971. It had a reputation for supporting the Conservative Party at the federal and the provincial levels. The paper competed with a newspaper supporting the Liberal Party of Ontario: The Toronto Star. The Telegram strongly supported Canada's connection with the United Kingdom and the rest of the British Empire as late as in the 1960s.
The Toronto Caribbean Carnival, formerly known as Caribana, is a festival of Caribbean culture and traditions held each summer in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is a pan-Caribbean Carnival event and has been billed as North America's largest street festival, frequented by over 1.3 million visitors each year for the festival's final parade and an overall attendance of 2 million.
2 Intelligence Company is a Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve Intelligence Branch unit based in Toronto, headquartered at Denison Armoury. It is part of the 4th Canadian Division. The Intelligence Officers and Operators of the unit reside in the Greater Toronto Area, work as professionals in the business community and are also active in numerous community service organizations. They deploy on domestic and foreign operations, and are primarily responsible for tactical, or combat intelligence. Recent deployments include to Cyprus, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Canada.
Columbus Fountain also known as the Columbus Memorial is a public artwork by American sculptor Lorado Taft, located at Union Station in Washington, D.C., United States. A centerpiece of Columbus Circle, Columbus Fountain serves as a tribute to the explorer Christopher Columbus. The unveiling in 1912 was celebrated all over Washington, DC over the course of three days with parades, concerts and fireworks gathering tens of thousands of people from all over the world.
A referendum on merging the posts of Chancellor and President was held in Nazi Germany on 19 August 1934, seventeen days after the death of President Paul von Hindenburg. The German leadership sought to gain approval for Adolf Hitler's assumption of supreme power. The referendum was associated with widespread intimidation of voters, and Hitler used the resultant large "yes" vote to claim public support for his activities as the de facto head of state of Germany. In fact, he had assumed these offices and powers immediately upon Hindenburg's death and used the referendum to legitimise that move and take the title Führer und Reichskanzler.
John Downing is an author, reporter, editor and columnist, most notably writing for the Toronto Telegram and later the Toronto Sun.
Edward Henry Reeve was a multi-sport Canadian athlete and sports journalist. He was on two Grey Cup winning teams as a football player, a Mann Cup championship as a lacrosse player and three Yates Cup championships as a coach for Queen's University. He is a member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. As an athlete Reeve was noted for determination and inspiring team-mates. He acquired the nickname "The Moaner" in later years after one of the characters in his newspaper columns, Moaner McGruffery.
The 1938 Gettysburg reunion was an encampment of American Civil War veterans on the Gettysburg Battlefield for the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. The gathering included approximately 25 veterans of the battle with a further 1,359 Federal and 486 Confederate attendees out of the 8,000 living veterans of the war. The veterans averaged 94 years of age. Transportation, quarters, and subsistence was federally funded for each veteran and their accompanying attendant. If an attendant was needed it was provided. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's July 3 reunion address preceded the unveiling of the Eternal Light Peace Memorial; a newsreel with part of the address was included in the Westinghouse Time Capsule for the 1939 New York World's Fair.
Now known as the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Caribana began as a one-time celebration of the Canadian Centennial in Ontario's provincial capital city. Within the first five years, 1967 to 1971, the festival aimed to share West Indian culture with the community at large, and to fund the creation of a permanent West Indian cultural centre.
Judith Robinson was a Canadian journalist, feminist and activist. She was known as 'Brad' by family and friends. Robinson was best known as an investigative Canadian journalist during the Depression, the Second World War and until her death in 1961. Daughter of a prominent Canadian newspaperman, she went to work for The Globe of Toronto in 1928 where she was to make her name as a progressive journalist, a fighter for social justice, and a lifelong watchdog on the actions of governments. She specialized in social causes, particularly pushing for help for the underprivileged, wounded veterans or victims of short-sighted bureaucracy. She was also the author of a well-known biography Tom Cullen of Baltimore (1949) about the leading Canadian gynecologist and cancer surgeon, Thomas Stephen Cullen. She died in Glenora, Ontario, in 1961.
The Pure Food Building was a facility opened in 1922 on Exhibition Place at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was demolished after the 1953 CNE to make way for the modernist Food Building, which still stands.
Frederick George Hilary Williams was an English–Canadian journalist, writer, and historian.
The following events occurred in June 1934:
Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia in November 1918. The abdication was announced on 9 November by Prince Maximilian of Baden and was formally enacted by Wilhelm's written statement on 28 November, made while in exile in Amerongen, the Netherlands. This ended the House of Hohenzollern's 500-year rule over Prussia and its predecessor state, Brandenburg. Wilhelm ruled Germany and Prussia from 15 June 1888 through 9 November 1918, when he went into exile. Following the abdication statement and German Revolution of 1918–19, the German nobility as a legally defined class was abolished. On promulgation of the Weimar Constitution on 11 August 1919, all Germans were declared equal before the law. Ruling princes of the constituent states of Germany also had to give up their monarchical titles and domains, of which there were 22. Of these princely heads of state, four held the title of king or König, six held the title of grand duke or Großherzog, five held the title of duke or Herzog, while seven held the title prince.
Coronation Park is a park and veteran's memorial in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Coronation Park was built to honour the coronation of King George VI in 1937. Trees are planted to honour the Canadian men and women who participated in World War I and earlier wars. Built during the Great Depression, the construction used many workers on relief. It is constructed on landfill on the shore of Lake Ontario. The park also has the Victory-Peace World War II monument located at water's edge. To the east is HMCS York, the naval barracks. To the north is Fort York and the Fort York Armoury. To the west is Exhibition Place, once the site of New Fort York.
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