New Brunswick Day History

I like to think that I know a fair amount when it comes to history. However, every now and then I realize just how little I actually know. Take for instance New Brunswick Day. It sounds like a fairly obvious holiday, a day to celebrate living in the best province in Canada - New Brunswick! I assumed that there was some historical significance - maybe it was the date of an early colony in the area, or maybe it was when we became a separate colony from Nova Scotia? It wasn’t until I started looking that I realized I was sadly mistaken. It was simply a way to give people in the province a holiday in August.  Just look at the writeup on the government website:

In June 1976, the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick adopted the New Brunswick Day Act, making the first Monday in August the provincial holiday. In 1989, the Department of Tourism, Recreation and Heritage was made responsible for organizing New Brunswick Day. At that time, New Brunswick Day had little purpose, other than allowing New Brunswickers to benefit from an extra holiday.

During that year, it was proposed that a merit award be made on New Brunswick Day to recognize exceptional New Brunswickers. However, sufficient funding could not be secured. As a result, in 1989 and 1990, the program consisted of a news release, schedule of events, and a list of festivals and events being held on the New Brunswick Day weekend.

In September 1990, a funding proposal was submitted which recommended developing a common theme, promotional material, a New Brunswick Day Merit Award, publicity campaign, and a schedule of events. In order to obtain additional resources and funds, an interdepartmental New Brunswick Day Committee was formed, and an improved program was prepared to celebrate this holiday.

So there you have it, another random piece of provincial history solved!