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.

195th Anniversary for the following event(s) in 2024:

Act for the Endowment of King's College
  • Date: 1829-02-10
  • Subject(s): Acts
  • Source: Steeves Scrapbooks 1785-1829, 120-123. Royal Gazette Vol. XVI.I (3 Mar 1829), 1170-71
  • Note: "An Act for the Endowment of King's College at Fredericton, in the Province of New Brunswick, and Also to Make New Provisions for the Establishment and Support of Grammar Schools Throughout the Province." This Act supersedes the previous act for the College of New Brunswick. The Royal Gazette contains a transcript of the complete Act.
Council: First Meeting of Council of King's College
  • Date: 1829-01-10
  • Subject(s): Miscellaneous
  • Source: King's College Council 1829 -, 11-13. Steeves Scrapbooks 1785-1829, 115.
  • Note: 1 Jan 1829: Sir Howard Douglas, Baronet, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, installed as Chancellor of King's College (RG VXV.XLV, 6 Jan 1829), 1108-1110).
Courses to be taught/Professors appointed
  • Date: 1829-10-19
  • Subject(s): University Classes
  • Source: King's College Council 1829 -, 15-18. Steeves Scrapbooks 1785-1829, 127-128.
  • Note: Rev. Dr. Edwin Jacob to teach: Classical Literature, History, Moral Philosophy Rev. Dr. James Somerville to teach: Divinity and Metaphysics Rev. George McCawley to teach: Logic, Math and Natural Philosophy, and Hebrew
Douglas, Sir Howard - Hall (Arts Building)
  • Date: 1829-01-01
  • Subject(s): Buildings
  • Source: King's College Council 1829 -, 11-13. The Brunswickan (21 Feb 1946)
  • Note: Built on the "pasture lot" number 20, "(156) in the rear of the Town Plat of Fredericton... containing 35 acres" (158) owned by W. Best. 15 Mar 1825: Call for contractor in Royal Gazette describes a "Building to be of the rough Stone of the country, with Hewn Coins for the Corners, Windows and Doors' Slated Roof, to project over the Wall --- and not to be more than two Stories in heighth [sic] besides the basement story" (RG XII.3, 3). 19 Sep 1826: Account of laying the College Building cornerstone, inside of which were " a bottle containing some Coins of the present Reign, with a Newspaper and an Almanack... and covered with a Brass Plate" (RG 122-123). 14 Mar 1872: Senate orders Dr. Jack, President "to make arrangements for the introduction of water by iron pipes into the basement flat of the University building" (SM, 184). 6 Oct 1875: Inquiries to be made concerning raising of the roof of the Arts Building (SM 217) 1 Jun 1911: Senate donates $25.00 to City of F'ton Fire Department, thanking them for assistance during fire in the Annex in January (SM4, 191). 13 Jan 1928: Associated Alumni "to erect a tablet to commemorate the graduation of the first [three] alumni of the College of New Brunswick" to take place at the next Encaenial Exercises (SM5 8). 13 May 1931: Property Committee authorised to spend $5,000 to remodel the "third storey to include the Elementary Biological Laboratory, Lecture Room for new department of Philosophy and Education and additional Museum space" (SM5, 52-53). 16 May 1934: Senate recommends and approves the installation of a "modern heating plant" at a cost of $9,600. Approximately $4,000 of improvements include installing a wood-burning boiler, which would replace a coal burning boiler, and improving and enlarging the circulation system. Part of the work is to be done during the summer of 1934. 19 Feb 1935: Senate approves approximately $5,000 be spent on balance of improvements to heating system, to be completed in the summer of 1935.
Graduate Degrees offered
  • Date: 1829-12-18
  • Subject(s): Graduate Degrees
  • Source: King's College Council 1829 -, 9.
  • Note: "[T]hat the Students in the said College, shall have liberty and faculty of taking the Degrees of Bachelor, Master and Doctor in the several Arts and Faculties at the appointed times" ("Charter of Kings College at Fredericton in the Province of New Brunswick" (9)). 23 Jun 1864: First degrees conferred on Charles a. O'Connor, A.B. and Robert Matthews, A.B. Both received an M. A. (SM 1860-1904, 101) 20 Jun 1889: "the degree of M.A. be hereafter based upon a purely literary course of study, rather than upon a course combining both Literature and Science" (SM 1860-, 395).
Jacob, Rev. Dr. Edwin becomes Vice-President of King's College
  • Date: 1829-11-19
  • Subject(s): Presidents
  • Source: King's College Council 1829 -, 25. Steeves Scrapbooks Misc 1785 -, 53.
  • Note: According to King's College Minute Book, Dr. Jacob was Vice-President (and Senior Professor) with a salary of 200 pounds, which was retroactive to 1 Jan. 1829 "pursuant to the terms of his original engagement" (KCC 25). 30 September 1848: According to Steeves, Dr. Jacob's title changed to Principal on (SS (Misc 1785) 53). The "List of University Presidents" states that Dr. Jacob is considered President from 1829 to 1859, inclusive. According to KCC 1829- (326-347) "Statutes, Rules and Ordinances of King's College," Dr. Jacob's title changed to "Principal" on 1 Sep 1848. Presented to Council on 7 Apr 1848. In his hand, Dr. Jacobs wrote: "I Edwin Jacob was appointed Vice-President, acting and resident Head, of King's College, at Fredericton, in the Province of New Brusnwick, by His Excellency Major General Sir Howard Douglas, Baronet, Lieutenant Governor of the said Province and Chancellor of the University of King's College, January 1st, 1829. This was in the 36th year of my age. My friend, the Hon'ble and Very Rev'd. George Pillew, D.D. Dean of Norwick, and the Rev'd. Dr. Russell, Head Master of the Charterhoues School, nominated one for this appointment. -- September 1, 1848, I became, by virtue of the Statues revised agreeably to the Act for the Amendment of the Charter of King's College, "Principal" of the said College; the name of "Vice-President" being abolished from that time" (This writing is located on the back page of: John Ecton, Esq.,The Thesaurus Rerum Ecclesialticiarum. Being an Account of the Valuations of all the Ecclesiastical Benefices in the Several Dioceses in England and Wales, As they now Stand chargeable with, or lately were discharged from, the Payment of First-Fruits and Tenths, 3rd ed. (London: Osborne, et al, MDCCLXIII).
King's College Instituted - Opening Ceremonies
  • Date: 1829-01-01
  • Subject(s): Miscellaneous
  • Source: King's College Council 1829, 11. Steeves Scrapbooks Misc 1785 -, 16. Royal Gazette Vol. XV.XLV (6 Jan 1829), 1108-1110.
  • Note: Professors appointed: Rev. Dr. Edwin Jacob, Senior Professor, later Vice-President (01/01/29); Principal (1848-10/09/60); Professor at UNB 10/09/60 to 30/06/68). Rev. Dr. James Somerville, Professor of Divinity and Acting Head Rev. George McCawley, Professor (afterward became President of King's College, Windsor, NS). The Royal Gazette of 6 Jan 1829 contains a description of the procedure, the various speeches, extracts from the Royal Charter, and the prayer.
Non-Church of England and Ireland Professors permitted to teach at King's College
except in the Degree of Divinity.
  • Date: 1829-01-15
  • Subject(s): Charters
  • Source: King's College Council 1829 -, 10. Steeves Scrapbooks1785 - 1829, 124.
  • Note: "In answer to an address from the Assembly of the 15th Jan'y 1829 His Excellency Sir Howard Douglas laid before the House the following "To His Excellency Sir Howard Douglas Bart., Chancellor of Kings College etc etc etc "The College Council in answer to the question propounded to them by your Excellency, in compliance with the address of the House of Assembly to your Excellency, of the 15th instant, have no hesitation in expressing their unanimous opinion, that by the terms of the Charter any person of suitable character and qualifications are eligible to the office of Professors in the College, whaever may be their Religious tenets or professions; and that all the Honors and advantages to be conferred by the College under the Charter are open to persons of every religious persuasion, as fully and frealy [sic] as to members of the Church of England, with the single exception of the Degree in Divinity."" Transcription of notarised loose sheet after Charter (KC, 10)

180th Anniversary for the following event(s) in 2024:

Wellington, Duke of: Papers of King Henry VIII: 5 volumes
  • Date: 1844-03-23
  • Subject(s): Endowments/Gifts
  • Source: King's College Council 1829 -, 231.
  • Note: Donated by the Duke of Wellington, sent to Sir A. Campbell and Sir John Harvey (L.G.) for the Public Library. There being none, the books were deposited in King's College Library and the gift and change of deposit venue acknowledged by Sir Harvey in a letter dated 8 Jan 1839 (231).

175th Anniversary for the following event(s) in 2024:

Agricultural Chemistry lectures to be offered; professorship established
  • Date: 1849-03-01
  • Subject(s): University Classes
  • Source: King's College Council 1829-, 354.
  • Note: Lieutenant Governor proposes a series of public lectures, suggesting Dr. Robb as lecturer, which Council accepts. 10 Mar 1849: Council establishes a professorship of agriculture "so as to combine the theory with the practice of Agriculture" (KCC 360)
Whately, Richard: Archibishop of Dublin donates 18 "of his own published works" to
library.
  • Date: 1849-10-19
  • Subject(s): Endowments/Gifts
  • Source: King's College Council 1829 -, 383.
  • Note: List of Books donated: Elements of Logic; Elements of Rhetoric; Lectures on Political Economy; Remarks on Transportation; Historic Doubts; Lessons on Reasoning; Lessons on Money Matters; Kingdom of Christ; Peculiarities of the Christian Religion; Difficulties in the Writings of Saint Paul; Errors of Normanism; Dangers to Christian Faith; Use and Abuse of Party Feeling; Charges; Sermons; Revelations of a Future State; Christian Evidences; History of Religious Worships. Richard Whately was "an eminent prelate, theologian, and mental and moral philosopher. From 1831 to his death, archbishop of Dublin." (Haugaard, Brad http://www.sacklunch.net/biography/W/RichardWhately. html 3 Aug 2004)

170th Anniversary for the following event(s) in 2024:

Civil Engineering: Lectures and Practical Instruction Offered.
  • Date: 1854-01-01
  • Subject(s): University Classes
  • Source: King's College Council 1829-, 429.
  • Note: 2 April 1853: College Council Minutes remark on the "Civil Engineering and Drawing: Lectures and Practical Instruction" to be offered (429). 12 Oct 1853: McMahon Creghan hired to lecture on Civil Engineering starting in 1 Jan 1854. Professor Jack to teach "Trigonometry, Logorithms, and Tables" (432).