BOSTON—Every year since 1971, Nova Scotia, Canada, sends a Christmas tree to the city of Boston as thanks for their generosity and help after an explosion in Halifax in 1917. The tradition is celebrated in both countries, from the tree cutting ceremony in Canada, to the tree lighting ceremony in Boston.
In 1917, Halifax was a busy port, made busier by World War I. On Dec. 6, the French SS Mont-Blanc, loaded with explosives, collided with the Norwegian ship SS Imo. The collision ignited the explosives on the SS Mont-Blanc causing one of the largest man-made explosions in history to that time. According to the Nova Scotia museum, the death toll was over 1,900 and 6,000 people were left without shelter.
Boston was quick to respond. The day of the explosion, Boston sent medical supplies and personnel to Halifax. In 1918, the city of Halifax sent a Christmas tree to Boston as thanks for the help they gave. The annual tradition began in 1971.
This month on the 93rd anniversary of the explosion, Canadians and Americans will celebrate the gift as a symbol of the holidays and generosity. “For many of us, this annual ceremony marks the start of the Christmas season here in Nova Scotia,“ said John MacDonell, minister of Natural Resources in a press release. ”A symbol of goodwill and thankfulness, the Boston tree represents the true meaning of Christmas.”
This year’s tree, a 15-meter-tall (49.21 feet) white spruce, was cut on Nov. 16, at a ceremony on Gary and Roseann Misner’s property in North Alton, King’s County, “It’s an honor to have our tree chosen,” said Mr. Misner in a press release. “We’re glad to get the chance to contribute, and we’re quite proud to be part of this tradition.”
The tree chosen usually comes from private landowners and is chosen by the Department of Natural resources in Canada. The tree must be a balsam fir, white spruce, or red spruce 12 to 16 meters (39.37 feet to 52.49 feet) tall.
The tree arrived in Boston on Nov. 19, and the tree lighting ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. EST Dec. 2 on Boston Common. According to a press release from the city of Boston, this marks that 39th year that the tree has been sent and the ninth year that Nova Scotia joins the city of Boston to present the Christmas tree.
In 1917, Halifax was a busy port, made busier by World War I. On Dec. 6, the French SS Mont-Blanc, loaded with explosives, collided with the Norwegian ship SS Imo. The collision ignited the explosives on the SS Mont-Blanc causing one of the largest man-made explosions in history to that time. According to the Nova Scotia museum, the death toll was over 1,900 and 6,000 people were left without shelter.
Boston was quick to respond. The day of the explosion, Boston sent medical supplies and personnel to Halifax. In 1918, the city of Halifax sent a Christmas tree to Boston as thanks for the help they gave. The annual tradition began in 1971.
This month on the 93rd anniversary of the explosion, Canadians and Americans will celebrate the gift as a symbol of the holidays and generosity. “For many of us, this annual ceremony marks the start of the Christmas season here in Nova Scotia,“ said John MacDonell, minister of Natural Resources in a press release. ”A symbol of goodwill and thankfulness, the Boston tree represents the true meaning of Christmas.”
This year’s tree, a 15-meter-tall (49.21 feet) white spruce, was cut on Nov. 16, at a ceremony on Gary and Roseann Misner’s property in North Alton, King’s County, “It’s an honor to have our tree chosen,” said Mr. Misner in a press release. “We’re glad to get the chance to contribute, and we’re quite proud to be part of this tradition.”
The tree chosen usually comes from private landowners and is chosen by the Department of Natural resources in Canada. The tree must be a balsam fir, white spruce, or red spruce 12 to 16 meters (39.37 feet to 52.49 feet) tall.
The tree arrived in Boston on Nov. 19, and the tree lighting ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. EST Dec. 2 on Boston Common. According to a press release from the city of Boston, this marks that 39th year that the tree has been sent and the ninth year that Nova Scotia joins the city of Boston to present the Christmas tree.
