On the third Monday of February, the provincial government inaugurated Nova Scotia Heritage Day in 2013 to honour the province’s unique people, heritage, and history. As part of the celebrations, the provincial government annually honours a notable Nova Scotian, with the first group of honorees selected from a pool of nominees submitted by the province’s schoolchildren. Nova Scotia, one of Canada’s easternmost provinces, is the most populous of the Maritime Provinces and a significant Mi’kmaq, French, and British settlement area. The province is the largest exporter of lobster and other fish in the world, shipping seafood to over 90 countries.
The background of Nova Scotia Heritage Day
A small, densely populated region in the extreme eastern reaches of Canada, Nova Scotia or New Scotland, has a rich history. Beginning in the 1600s, Europeans invaded a region that was originally inhabited by Mi’kmaq people. France founded its first North American settlement at Port Royal, which served as an important port and the capital of Acadia for more than a century until 1763, when France relinquished its claim. Thousands of British loyalists fled to Nova Scotia during the American War of Independence against Britain. In 1867, the province merged with New Brunswick and the present-day provinces of Ontario and Quebec to form the foundations of the contemporary Canadian nation.
Nova Scotia, which is almost completely surrounded by water, enjoys a milder climate than its northern counterparts. In the second half of the nineteenth century, this region dominated the construction of wooden sailing ships. The seafood industry remained a pillar of the province’s economy well into the 20th century, but overfishing and the depletion of fish stocks led to significant productivity declines. Today, Nova Scotia exports the most Christmas trees, lobster, and gypsum in the world. The province also has a film industry and a rapidly expanding IT industry.
Nova Scotia Heritage Day was established in 2015 to recognise Nova Scotian history, culture, and influential individuals. Viola Desmond, the inaugural honoree, was a trailblazing businesswoman who challenged racial and gender norms. In 2017, the celebration highlighted the contributions of the Mi’kmaq people to the region’s culture and history.
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NOVA SCOTIA HERITAGE DAY ACTIVITIES
Learn about Nova Scotia’s past
Nova Scotia is an intriguing region of North America with a long and illustrious history. Spend a few minutes reading or viewing a documentary about this remote and distinctive Canadian province.
Purchase a local product
Nova Scotia exports some of the finest lobster and seafood in the world. If it is close to Christmas, your Christmas tree may very well come from there!
Discover this year’s honoree
Each year, Nova Scotia Heritage Day honours a different person or group. Learn how this year’s honoree impacted Nova Scotian history and culture by reading about them.
Nova Scotia Heritage Day: 5 FACTS
At no point is Nova Scotia more than 80 miles wide.
Each year, over 50,000 tonnes of the delectable crustacean are hauled from the waters of Nova Scotia, making the province the leading exporter of lobster in the world.
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is the oldest and largest museum in Canada, showcasing fascinating maritime artefacts and exhibits from the province’s extensive maritime history.
When the Titanic sank in 1912, crews from Halifax rushed to the scene to locate survivors and victims’ bodies; 150 victims were ultimately interred in Halifax cemeteries.
Nova Scotia is almost entirely surrounded by water and has over 8,000 miles of breathtaking coastline.
NOVA SCOTIA HERITAGE DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2022 | February 21 | Monday |
2023 | February 20 | Monday |
2024 | February 19 | Monday |
2025 | February 17 | Monday |
2026 | February 16 | Monday |