| 1919 |
January 8 |
Opening of the Paris Peace Conference. Prime Minister William F. Lloyd represents Newfoundland as a member of the British delegation.
|
|
April 10 |
Harry Hawker and MacKenzie Grieve make the first airplane flight in Newfoundland in
a test for a transatlantic attempt.
|
|
May 10 |
Lieutenant Richard Janes, USN makes the first airplane flight in Newfoundland by a
native Newfoundlander.
|
|
May 16 |
United States Navy flying boat NC-4, piloted by Lieutenant Commander A. C. Read, leaves
Trepassey Harbour and completes the first successful Transatlantic flight reaching
Plymouth, England two weeks later via the Azores and Lisbon.
|
|
June 5 |
The Newfoundland legislature passes an Aerial Mail Service Act and the government
contracts with Aircraft Manufacturing Company, an English firm, to establish airmail,
freight and passenger service on, "such routes as maybe agreed upon from time to time".
|
|
June 14 |
John Alcock and Arthur W. Brown depart Lester’s Field near Saint John’s on the first
nonstop transatlantic airplane flight. Their Vickers Vimy crash lands in a bog near
Clifden, County Galway, Ireland 16 hours and 57 minutes later. Afterwards they deliver
the first shipment of transatlantic air mail, 196 letters and one package. Alcock and
Brown are award a 10,000 pound prize by the Daily Mail and are later knighted by
King George V.
|
| 1920 |
July |
Canadian Marconi Company broadcasts voice messages to the SS Victorian throughout its
transatlantic voyage.
|
| 1921 |
April |
Newfoundland’s fiscal year ends in budgetary deficit. Revenues fall due to a post war slump
in demand for minerals and newsprint, encroachment on the Newfoundland fishery’s
traditional markets by Scandinavian fleets operating off Iceland and subsidies to the
unprofitable Newfoundland Railway.
|
| 1922 |
April |
Reid Newfoundland Company informs the Government that it will no longer operate the
country’s railway. The company later agrees to continue operations following a massive
infusion of public funds.
|
|
July 29 |
Station VOS broadcasts Newfoundland’s first commercial radio program.
|
|
November 2 |
The dominions of Newfoundland and Canada request the Judicial Committee of the
Privy Council to determine, "What is the location and definition of the boundary as
between Canada and Newfoundland on the Labrador Peninsula, under the statutes,
orders in council and proclamations?"
|
| 1923 |
July 1 |
Government of Newfoundland takes over operation the railways from the Reid Company.
The $2,000,000 buyout is necessary to facilitate construction of a pulp and paper mill at
Corner Brook on the Humber River.
|
| 1924 |
|
Newfoundland legislature repeals prohibition on sale of alcoholic beverages introduced in 1915.
|
|
July 1 |
Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig unveils the National War Memorial in Saint John’s
|
|
September |
A Squadron of United States Navy seaplanes lands at Indian Harbour, Labrador and
Hawkes Bay, Newfoundland during the first round the world airplane flight.
|
| 1924 |
|
Women age 25 and older granted voting rights for the first time.
|
|
February 10 |
Prime Minister Walter Monroe writes Premier Taschereau of Quebec offering to sell
Newfoundland’s rights in Labrador for $30 million.
|
|
March 3 |
Premier Taschereau declines Monroe’s offer to sell Newfoundland’s interests in
Labrador. The Quebec leader can see no reason to pay for what he believes already
rightfully belongs to his province and decides to take his chances with the Privy Council
resolution to the dispute.
|
|
March 4 |
Prime Minister Monroe proposes to sell Labrador to Quebec for $15 million provided
that Newfoundland would retain rights to a three mile wide coastal zone for the use of
fishermen.
|
| 1927 |
March 1 |
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council rules in favor of Newfoundland in the
Labrador boundary dispute.
|
|
May 19 |
Italian aviator Francesco De Pinedo lands at Trepassey following his circumnavigation of
the South Atlantic in a twin engine Savoia-Marchetti.
|
|
May 20 |
Charles Lindbergh flys over Saint John’s during his nonstop flight from New York to Paris
|
|
August 28 |
American aviators, William Brock and Richard Schlee depart Harbour Grace on a
nonstop flight to Croydon, England.
|
| 1928 |
April 13 |
The Bremen, piloted by Captain Herman Keohl, completes the first east to west
transatlantic airplane flight from Dublin, Ireland to Greenley Island.
|
|
June 17 |
The Friendship departs Trepassey for Southampton, England. Passenger Amelia Earhart
becomes the first woman to complete transatlantic flight.
|
| 1930 |
June 25 |
Charles Kingsford-Smith and the crew of the Southern Cross land at Harbour Grace from
Ireland on the last leg of a round the world trip.
|
| 1931 |
|
Newfoundland referred to as a "Dominion" (a title the government assumed officially in 1908) in the Statue of Westminster but requests that sections 2 -6 not be implemented until such time as the legislature requests it which in never did. Newfoundland never joins the League of Nations and Britain continues to conduct Newfoundland’s defense until 1940 and external relations until Confederation with Canada.
|
|
May |
The Bank of Montreal informs the Newfoundland government that it is unable to raise funds
on the bond market. The public debt reaches $100 million and interest payments are
absorbing 65% of current revenues.
|
|
June 23 |
American aviators, Wiley Post and Harold Gatty, stop at Harbour Grace before departing
on the transatlantic leg of their record breaking, 8 days and 14 hours, round the world
flight.
|
| 1932 |
February 11 |
Finance Minister Cashin charges Prime Minister Richard Squires with corruption. A
$5000 fee taken by Squires for his work as War Reparations Commissioner stirs
public anger.
|
|
March 23 |
Legislature increases tariffs and reduces veterans pensions to meet demands of the
Canadian banks for fiscal austerity.
|
|
April 5 |
Riot damages the Colonial Building seat of Newfoundland’s legislature.
|
|
Spring |
Imperial Oil Company (Standard Oil of New Jersey) loans $1.75 million to Newfoundland
in exchange for a monopoly on sales of gasoline and petroleum products in the country.
|
|
June 11 |
The United Newfoundland Party led by Frederick Alderdice wins 24 of the 27 legislative
seats in a general election.
|
|
May 20 |
Amelia Earhart departs Harbour Grace in a Lockheed Vega and lands at Londonderry,
Northern Ireland the next morning completing the first solo transatlantic flight by a
woman.
|
|
Fall |
Newfoundland faces default once again. Canadian and British governments agree to loan
2/3rds of the funds need to make Newfoundland’s current payments on condition that the
country agree to a British Royal Commission of Inquiry to include a Canadian member.
|
| 1933 |
February 17 |
Lord Amulree appointed by the British Government to chair a Royal Commission
charged with investigating Newfoundland’s government and finances. Banker,
Charles Magrath, represents Canada and Sir William Stavert, another Canadian,
represents the Government of Newfoundland.
|
|
July 12 |
General Italo Balbo’s "Armada" of 24 flying boats lands at Cartwright, Labrador en route
to the Chicago World’s Fair.
|
|
July 12 |
Charles and Anne Lindbergh arrive in Newfoundland to begin surveying air routes for
transatlantic passenger service.
|
|
August 1 |
General Balbo’s "Armada" lands near Shoal Harbour, Newfoundland and spends 8 days
there before returning to Italy. The squadron is visited by two Italian submarines and
navy yacht during the stay.
|
|
October 4 |
The Amulree Commission recommends suspension of Responsible Government and
assumption of direct responsibility for Newfoundland’s finances by Britain. Canadian
government refuses to consider further aid to Newfoundland, confederation or the
purchase of Labrador.
|
|
November |
The Legislature votes to accept the recommendations of the Amulree Commission.
|
| 1934 |
February 16 |
Responsible Government suspended. A Commission of Government appointed by and
responsible to Westminster takes over. Newfoundland reverts to the status of a Crown
Colony.
|
|
|
Number of persons receiving relief payments averages 31,899
|
| 1935 |
|
Commission of Government establishes the Newfoundland Ranger Force
|
|
|
North Atlantic Civil Aviation agreement between Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland and
Newfoundland establishes Botwood as base for flying boats and Gander for land based
aircraft
|
| 1936 |
|
Construction of Newfoundland Airport at Gander begins
|
| 1937 |
July 5 |
Pan American Airways Clipper 111 leaves Botwood, Newfoundland en route from
New York to Foynes, Ireland. The Clipper completes the first west to east transatlantic
passenger flight the next day.
|
|
July 6 |
Imperial Airways flying boat Caledonia arrives in Botwood en route from Foynes, Ireland to
New York and completes the first east to west passenger flight on July 9th.
|
| 1939 |
|
Number of persons receiving relief payments averages 58,187 per month. The "dole" provides 6 Cents per person per day.
|
|
September 1 |
Act for the Defence of Newfoundland instituted to grant The Commission of
Government broad powers over economic and social life as necessary to defend the
country.
|
|
September 3 |
Newfoundland enters World War II by virtue of Britain’s declaration.
|
|
|
Newfoundland Constabulary seizes the Christopher V. Doornum, a German freighter anchored at Botwood, as a prize of war.
|
|
October |
Newfoundland Militia formed as a home guard.
|
| 1940 |
June 14 |
Canadian request to station ground troops at Newfoundland Airport, Gander and the
seaplane base at Botwood granted. Subsequent agreements provide for, recruitment of
Newfoundlanders into the Canadian services, Canadian command of the Newfoundland
Militia and formation of a joint coastal defense battery.
|
|
September 2 |
Britain agrees to grant a 99 year lease permitting the United States build military
bases in Newfoundland, Bermuda and the British West Indies in exchange for 50
destroyers and other war material.
|
|
September |
The Emergency Powers Act extends the powers granted by the Defence of Newfoundland Act.
|
|
October 9 |
Death of Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell, K.C.M.G., M.D. following a four decades of
service to the fishing families of Labrador and Northern Newfoundland as a medical
missionary and humanitarian. He began his mission in 1892 under the auspices of the
Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fisherman and continued his work under those of
the International Grenfell Association from 1912 to his retirement in 1935. Doctor
Grenfell’s legacy to Newfoundland and Labrador included; five hospitals, seven nursing
stations, two orphanages, fourteen industrial centers, four summer schools, three
agricultural stations, twelve clothing distribution centers, four hospital ships, one supply
schooner, a dozen community centers, co-operative stores, a lumber mill and a ship
repair yard.
|
|
November 11 |
Atlantic Ferry Service inaugurated with the departure of seven Hudson bombers
from Gander to Britain, the first of 12,000 aircraft ferried from America to Britain
via Newfoundland during the war.
|
| 1941 |
January 17 |
first American troops arrive in Newfoundland aboard SS Edmund B. Alexander
|
|
February |
Hudson bomber en route from Gander to Prestwick, Scotland dissappears. Among the
lost crewmen; Major Sir Frederick Banting who won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of
insulin.
|
|
March 27 |
President Roosevelt signs the Lend Lease Act. Britain gives the United States permission
to construct military bases in Newfoundland, Bermuda and the British West Indies on 99
year leaseholds in exchange for fifty American destroyers and other military supplies.
|
|
April |
Construction of RCAF bases at Torbay, Newfoundland and Goose Bay, Labrador begins.
|
|
May |
U.S. Navy PBY aircraft stationed at the Argentia Naval Base take part in search for German
battleship Bismarck
|
|
May 31 |
Commodore Leonard Murray, Royal Canadian Navy, appoint commander of the
Newfoundland Escort Force reporting to Royal Navy Commander in Chief Western
Approaches
|
|
June |
The Admiralty announces construction of a home port for the Newfoundland Escort Force in
Saint John’s harbor . The base to be built and operated by the Canadians will be responsible
for protection of transatlantic convoys between Halifax and the mid-ocean meeting point with
an escort force based in Iceland. The base is home to as many as 23 destroyers, 36 frigates
and 52 corvettes at the peak of wartime activity.
|
|
July |
Canadian government appoints a High Commissioner to Newfoundland.
|
|
August 14 |
President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill sign the Atlantic Charter following a
week long conference aboard ships anchored in Placentia Bay.
|
|
September |
Royal Canadian Navy escort force in the western Atlantic placed under co-ordinating
supervision of the United States Navy replacing British Commander in Chief Western
Approaches.
|
|
October 18 |
American B-17s and a RCAF Digby bomber make first landings at Torbay airbase.
|
| 1942 |
February 18 |
Destroyers USS Truxton and Wilkes and supply ship Pollux en route from Portland to
Argentia round aground beneath the cliffs of the Burin Peninsula. The Wilkes was
refloated but the Truxton and Pollux began to break up in the pound surf and gale
force winds. Ninety three sailors drown attempting to abandon ship. Residents of two
nearby towns manage to rescue 140.
|
|
March 1 |
U.S. Navy sinks German submarine for the first time in WWII. U-656 sent to the bottom
by Hudson bomber based at Argentia
|
|
March 15 |
U-503 sunk SE of Virgin Rocks by USN bombers based at Argentia
|
|
March |
German submarines U-587 and U-158 pursuing convoy ships as part of Operation
Paukenschlag launch torpedoes at the entrance to Saint John’s harbor but the only
casualties are few large rocks.
|
|
September |
Dominions Secretary Clement Attlee visits Newfoundland
|
|
September 2 |
German submarine U-513 enters attacks iron ore freighters berthed at Bell Island
sinking the Canadian freighters SS Saganaga, Lord Strathcona and Rose Castle.
|
|
October 14 |
Newfoundland Railway ferry SS Caribou sunk 40 miles off Port aux Basques by the
German submarine U-69. 137 passengers and crew go down with the ship. Royal
Canadian Navy rescues 101 survivors.
|
|
October 30 |
U658 sunk 290 miles NE of Torbay by Hudson bomber from RCAF 145th Bomber
Reconnaissance Squadron
|
|
November 2 |
German submarineU-518 attacks Bell Island sinking the P.L.M.-27, a French
freighter. A second torpedo misses the Canadian freighter SS Flyingdale and strikes
an iron ore loading pier causing extensive damage. A total of 69 people are killed in
the two U-boat attacks on the island.
|
|
December 12 |
Fire in a Saint John’s Knights of Columbus hostel claims the lives of 99 civilians and
servicemen. Subsequent inquiry determines arson to be the cause but finds no
evidence of sabotage.
|
| 1943 |
February 1 |
166th Newfoundland Regiment, Royal Artillery lands at Algiers to take part in North
Africa campaign.
|
|
March |
Newfoundland Militia renamed the Newfoundland Regiment.
|
|
May 6 |
U-630 sunk NW of Newfoundland by HMS Vidette
|
|
July |
Prime Minister W.L.M. King announces that Canada is ready to give serious consideration to
confederation should Newfoundlanders desire it.
|
|
October 22 |
A crew from the German submarine U-537 lands at Cape Chidley, Labrador and sets
up a weather data transmitter. The battery powered station ceases to function after two
weeks.
|
| 1944 |
January |
166th Newfoundland Regiment, Royal Artillery lands in Italy.
|
|
July 5 |
59th Newfoundland Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery lands in Normandy.
|
| 1945 |
April 16 |
U-190 sinks HMCS Esquimalt near entrance to Halifax harbor.
|
|
May 11 |
German submarine U-190 surrenders to the Royal Canadian Navy 500 miles east of Cape
Race. The submarine and its crew are towed into Bull’s Bay three days later.
|
|
December 11 |
Westminster announces that Newfoundland would elect member of a National
Convention in 1946. The Convention will discuss the country’s economic and political
situation.
|
| 1946 |
January 12 |
Peter Cashin denounces the National Convention as a violation of the 1934 agreement
to restore Responsible Government as soon as Newfoundland should once again
become self-supporting.
|
|
June 21 |
Election of delegates to the National Convention
|
|
September 11 |
First meeting of the Newfoundland National Convention
|
|
October 28 |
Joseph R. Smallwood moves that the National Convention delegation be sent to Ottawa
to ascertain the Canadian Government’s terms for union with that country. The
motion is defeated 28 to 17 but a short while later the convention reverses itself and
votes to send delegations to meet with both the British and Canadian governments.
|
| 1947 |
February 11 |
The Responsible Government League formed to promote a return to self-government
as it existed prior to 1934.
|
|
April 25 |
The National Convention’s delegation to the British Government leaves for London. The
Dominions Secretary, Viscount Addison, makes Westminster’s position clear. If
Newfoundland votes to return to Responsible Government it can expect no further help
from Britain.
|
|
May 19 |
Major Peter Cashin, leader of the London delegation, tells the National Convention that
Britain is engaged in a conspiracy, "to sell this country to the Dominion of Canada."
|
|
June 19 |
The National Convention’s delegation to the Canadian Government, led by Joseph
Smallwood and Chairman F. Gordon Bradley, leaves for Ottawa.
|
|
October 30 |
Ottawa Delegation returns to Saint John’s with draft of terms for union with Canada.
|
| 1948 |
January 28 |
The National Convention defeats a motion by Smallwood to include confederation with
Canada along with return to Responsible Government as it existed prior to 1934 or
continuation of the Commission of Government as a choice to be present on the ballot
for the national referendum. The motion is defeated 29 to 16.
|
|
February 21 |
Bradley and Smallwood form The Confederate Association to rally support for union
with Canada.
|
|
March 11 |
Westminster announces that confederation with Canada will be on the ballot despite the
vote of the National Convention.
|
|
March 20 |
Economic Union Party launched under the leadership of Chesley Crosbie.
|
|
June 3 |
National referendum held. Results: Return to Responsible Government 69,400 (44.6%).
Confederation with Canada 64,066 (41.1%), continuation of Commission of Government
22,311 (14.3%).
|
|
July 22 |
Second national referendum held. Results: Confederation with Canada 78,323 (52.3%),
return to Responsible Government 71,334 (47.7%).
|
|
October 6 |
Newfoundland delegation led by Sir Albert Walsh leaves Ottawa to negotiate final terms
for union with Canada. The Newfoundlanders hope to negotiate more favorable financial
and fisheries clauses than those contained in the 1947 draft terms.
|
|
December 11 |
Signing of terms of union between Canada and Newfoundland. Chesley Crosbie
declines to sign for Newfoundland citing objections to the financial terms.
|
| 1949 |
February 17 |
Canadian parliament enacts legislation accepting the terms of union.
|
|
February 21 |
Commission of Government grants formal approval to act of union.
|
|
March 23 |
British parliament grants final approval for act of union between Newfoundland and
Canada.
|
|
March 31 |
Newfoundland becomes Canada’s tenth province at 11:56 p.m.
|
|
April 1 |
The King’s representative, Lieutenant Governor Sir Albert Walsh swears in Joseph
Roberts Smallwood as first Premier of the Province of Newfoundland.
|
|
May 27 |
Liberal Party led by Joseph Smallwood captures 22 of the 28 seats in the first election of a
provincial legislature. The Liberals win the next five general elections and Smallwood
serves as Premier for 23 years.
|
|
June 27 |
Newfoundland elects 5 Liberals and 2 Conservatives to the Canadian parliament.
|
