December 31 is a significant date for Ottawa, Canada’s capital, marking both a major historical anniversary and the centre of New Year's Eve festivities.
Historical Significance: December 31, 1857
On December 31, 1857, Queen
Victoria officially selected Ottawa (then a small lumber town known as
Bytown) to be the permanent capital of the Province of Canada.
- The Selection Process: Ottawa
was chosen as a political compromise between the rival cities of Toronto,
Montreal, Quebec City, and Kingston.
- Strategic Advantages: The
location was chosen for its relative safety from American attack, its
position on the border of English-speaking Canada West (Ontario) and
French-speaking Canada East (Quebec), and its access via the Rideau
Canal.
- Announcement: The
decision was formally relayed to Canada's Governor General in a letter
from the Colonial Secretary dated December 31, 1857.
