Bob Mackin
The Monday preceding May 25 is the Victoria Day holiday. Its roots stretch back to 1845 when Queen Victoria’s birthday was observed every May 24 in the Province of Canada. If it fell on a Sunday, then it was moved to May 25.
The holiday was officially enacted by Parliament in 1901.
From The British Columbian newspaper on May 24, 1862.
In New Westminster, almost 163 years ago, something special happened.
Baseball.
The May 24, 1862 edition of The British Columbian, a newspaper published Wednesdays and Saturdays in New Westminster, contained a brief summary of the Queen’s birthday events. It included various sports, such as foot ball, quoits (a form of ring toss) and “base ball.” The first such reference to the game in British Columbia history.
The 1858 Fraser River Gold Rush drew Americans up north, looking to make a fortune. They also brought baseball to B.C.
Worth noting in this year of friction between the White House and Prime Minister’s Office.
Happy Victoria Day!
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