This Month in History

December

     
Dec
1884
Sinclair and Steinhauer die
Methodist missionaries Benjamin Sinclair and Henry Bird Steinhauer die on the same weekend and, with consent of both families, are buried in the same grave at Whitefish Lake.
 
Dec 25
1894
First hockey game in Edmonton
The Thistles beat Fort Saskatchewan 3-2 in the first-ever recorded hockey game in Edmonton history.
 
Dec 4
1896
Frederick Robert Gordon McCall
On this date Frederick Robert Gordon McCall was born in Vernon, British Columbia. The McCalls moved to Calgary in 1906 where Fred completed his training. He carried out reconnaissance missions as a pilot during World War I.
 
Dec
1897
CPR camp at Mann's
The farthest west camp during 1897 was Mann's, at a point a little to the east of the present Fernie, while others were strung out along the line to Seventh Siding near Pincher Creek, which was the end of steel in December.
 
Dec 25
1913
Edmonton's first indoor arena opens
Edmonton’s first indoor arena, which would later be known as the Edmonton Gardens, opened its doors for the first time. The Eskimos and Dominions faced off against each other in front of 2,000 fans, with the Dominions winning by a 4-2 count.
 
Dec 18
1922
Big Miller
Big Miller was born Clarence Horatio Miller, on 18 December 1922, in Sioux City, Iowa, USA.
 
Dec 17
1939
BCATP came into being
The final agreement for the British Commonwealth Air Training Program was signed by Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.
 
Dec 7
1941
Japan attacked the United States
Japan attacked Pearl Harbor with the expectation that this would keep the USA out of the Second World War, but it brought America's Declaration of War on Japan and its allies.
 
Dec 5
2003
Meritorious Service Medal for Tarbox
On 5 December 2003, Ms.Tarbox was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal of Canada by Her Excellency, The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, for her dedication to the anti-smoking cause.
 
Dec 26
2004
Aysha's dream, "Higher Ground"
Aysha Wills, a 10 year old girl who dared to dream that music could make miracles. Courageous and remarkably articulate for her age, Aysha approached the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra with the idea of putting on a little recital that would raise funds to aid in the global relief effort. Aysha’s idea, fuelled by her tireless enthusiasm, quickly evolved into “Higher Ground,” a benefit concert for the children affected by the tsunamis. The musicians who played the concert agreed to do so for free, artists donated their artworks to raise additional funds through a silent auction, and all the proceeds of the concert would go towards UNICEF and other children’s charities.