Browse Anniversaries

This dataset contains important dates in UNB history, taken from a variety of sources. Searching can be done in 5-year increments or can be done for a certain date.

235th Anniversary for the following event(s) in 2020:

Draft Charter to be prepared by Attorney General Bliss and Solicitor-General Chipman
  • Date: 1785-12-13
  • Subject(s): Charters
  • Source: Steeves Scrapbooks Misc. 1785-, 1.
  • Note: 21 Feb 1948: The Brunswickan mentions this date (13 Dec 1785) as the date of the petition bearing "seven signatures... presented to Governor Thomas Carleton urging 'the establishment in the infant province of an academy of liberal arts and sciences'" (no page).

220th Anniversary for the following event(s) in 2020:

Charter of the College of New Brunswick
  • Date: 1800-02-12
  • Subject(s): Charters
  • Source: Steeves Scrapbooks Misc 1786-, 5. Copy of Charter
  • Note: Signed by "Jon. Odell" for Thomas Carleton, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of New Brunswick. 22 Mar 1984: Charter surrendered conditionally to King in preparation for the new Royal Charter (RG (23 Mar 1824) Vol X.4, 2).
Original land grant of 5, 950 acres for the College of New Brunswick.
  • Date: 1800-07-18
  • Subject(s): Land Grants
  • Source: College Council 1800-1828: 23 Jul 1800, 15.
  • Note: 10% allowance "for roads and waste."

200th Anniversary for the following event(s) in 2020:

Somerville, Dr. James, M.A., LLD, elected and appointed President of the College of
New Brunswick
  • Date: 1820-03-25
  • Subject(s): Presidents
  • Source: Steeves Scrapbooks Misc 1785, 10 Steeves Scrapbooks 1785-1829, 21 College Council 1800-1828, 75 Royal Gazette VI.5 (4 Apr 1820), 3
  • Note: Steeves notes that Somerville was first and only President of the College of New Brunswick. 9 April 1821: Letter transcribed from Somerville : "Pupils to be admitted into the Academy shall be taught a correct Grammatical Knowledge of the English Language, reading English with Grace and propriety, Writing and Arithmetic, with the Elements of Geometry, Geography and Astronomy; and a competent knowledge of the Rudiments of Classical Learning, and the study of Latin shall be required of all Pupils" (CC Minutes 38-38). 20 Oct 1821: Students charged 25 shillings and 5 pounds per annum (CC Minutes, 37-38).

190th Anniversary for the following event(s) in 2020:

Best, the Late Archdeacon's library presented by Mrs. Best
  • Date: 1830-07-07
  • Subject(s): Endowments/Gifts
  • Source: King's College Council 1829 -, 39.
  • Note: This is date of the Meeting of the College Council wherein the Councillors recognise "her handsome and valuable present to the College Library, of the Books belonging to the late Archdeacon Best."
Convocation: First Convocation of King's College
  • Date: 1830-03-24
  • Subject(s): Degrees
  • Source: Royal Gazette (31 Mar 1830) vol. 1.13; 3
  • Note: Degrees conferred: Black, Honorable William, D.C.L.; Dibblee, Frederick, BA; Fisher, Charles, B.A. 28 June 1866: the Hon. Charles Fisher, BA, conferred with "the Honorary Degree of D.C.L. " he being one of the first graduates of the University" (SM 1860-, 115, 119).
Douglas Gold Medal awarded for the first time.
  • Date: 1830-06-24
  • Subject(s): Students, Scholarships
  • Source: Steeves Scrapbooks Misc 1784 -, 48.
  • Note: Essay subject "The Character of King Alfred," written by Mr. Henry Smith (RG Vol 2.27 (6 Jul 1831) 3).
Encaenia: First Encaenia - King's College
  • Date: 1830-06-24
  • Subject(s): Degrees
  • Source: Royal Gazette (7 Jul 1830) vol. 1.27; 3. Steeves Scrapbook Misc 1784 -, 17. (Full text of Dr. Jacob's address.)
  • Note: "The first Encaenia or Annual Commemoration of the Foundation of the University was celebrated on Thursday the 24th ultimo, according to the directions of the Statutes" (RG). Degrees conferred on Wetmore, Timothy R., A.B. - B.C.L.; Gray, Rev. F. W. , A.M.; Black, John, A.M.; Millidge, J. J., A.B. were "Incorporated into the University" (RG). 19 Mar 1831: "XV 1. A feast to be called the Encoenia shall be celebrated Annually, on the last Thursday in June, in commemoration of the Foundation of the University." Steeves Scrapbook 1830-1840: Transcript of "The Statutes, Rules and Ordinances of the University of King's College" (KC 188).
Wetmore, Timothy R., A.B., First Bachelor of Civil Law
  • Date: 1830-06-24
  • Subject(s): Degrees
  • Source: Royal Gazette (7 Jul 1830) vol. 1.27; 3.

185th Anniversary for the following event(s) in 2020:

French courses offered for the first time.
  • Date: 1835-11-03
  • Subject(s): University Classes
  • Source: King's College Council 1829 -, 110-111.
  • Note: "Whereupon ordered that Mons'r. C. Thomas in be engaged at the rate of [fifteen pounds] per Quarter to give Instruction in French at the College two days in each week, and also at the College Schools two other days in each week."
Professorship in Natural Philosophy established
  • Date: 1835-10-19
  • Subject(s): Departments
  • Source: King's College Council 1829-, 109.

180th Anniversary for the following event(s) in 2020:

Library: Standing Committee formed
  • Date: 1840-10-24
  • Subject(s): Buildings
  • Source: King's College Council 1829 -, 199.
  • Note: "Ordered that the President and Professors with the Registrar be a standing committee for the Library" (199).

175th Anniversary for the following event(s) in 2020:

Modern Languages
  • Date: 1845-02-17
  • Subject(s): Departments, University Classes
  • Source: King's College Council 1829 -, 243.
  • Note: "A stipend of one hundred and twenty pounds Sterling... be granted for a competent Teacher to be engaged from England for Instructing in French and Italian and if possible German." (243) 25 Sep 1845: Mr. W. Houseal engaged as instructor of Modern Languages in the College and the Grammar School. (252) 1 Jun 1847: Mr. W. Houseal appointed Professor of Modern Languages, and Council passes the Statute: " Be it enacted and declared that a Professorship of Modern Languages be established in the College" (319).

170th Anniversary for the following event(s) in 2020:

Undergraduate scholarship of twenty-five pounds
  • Date: 1850-02-18
  • Subject(s): Scholarships
  • Source: King's College Council 1829 -, 389.
  • Note: College Council resolves "that there be established in the College a Scholarship of twenty five pounds per annum, which shall be open for comeptition to all under-graduates not holding any other Scholarship, and to be held with the expiration of three years from matriculation, on the conidtion of academic residence" (389).