Fort Langley was one of the first frontiers ever established by BC pioneers and the Fort Langley National Historic Site marks the spot where it all began 150 years ago. Come and join us for a family fun-filled day at the Fort Langley BC Day Festival celebrating our provincial heritage, proud patriotism, and the 150th anniversary of BC at its birthplace in Fort Langley - admission to the Festival and the Fort Langley National Historic Site is FREE on Monday, August 4th! Please check our "Events Calendar" page often for more information as details become available.
How did B.C. Day come to be a holiday?
The British Columbia Day Act was first introduced in 1974 as Bill 61 by the Hon. Ernie Hall, the Provincial Secretary under Premier Dave Barrett. The explanatory notes prefacing the bill states: "The purposes of this Bill is to recognize the pioneers of British Columbia by declaring the first Monday of August in each year to be a public holiday known as British Columbia Day."
On May 1, 1974, the Hon. Hall stated, "August 1, or the closest working day to it, is a statutory holiday in every other province in Canada. By coincidence, an Act to provide to the Government of British Columbia, which changed us from the Colony of British Columbia, was passed by Parliament in the United Kingdom on August 2, 1858....
"We feel that British Columbia, like every other province could benefit and should have a holiday around August 1. We feel that the holiday should be dedicated to the pioneers who built the colony of British Columbia into the great province it is today..."
In 2008, BC celebrates its sesquicentennial year (150-year anniversary). It was 150 years ago on August 2nd in 1858 that Queen Victoria ga ve Royal Assent to an Act To Provide for Government in the Crown Colony of British Columbia and three months later on November 19, 1858 Governor James Douglas read the Proclamation.
The "Big House" at Fort Langley National Historic Site provided the background for the official ceremony proclaiming the establishment of British Government on the Pacific mainland. On November 19, 1858, 100 people assembled in the hall to hear the proclamation, and to witness the administration of oaths to the officers of the new government. Outside, a 17-gun salute, which pierced the drizzling rain, signaled the historic transition from fur trade domain to British Colony.
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