History and Heritage of Vancouver Island, British Columbia: 1950s

After the dawn of a new millennium, it's interesting to peek at just a few of the events that helped shape Vancouver Island's past. Our Island has been occupied by humans for more than 12,000 years. One thousand years ago, it was home to many different groups of Native Indians. Five hundred years ago, the first Europeans arrived on the scene.

1950s
	Crew of three Royal Canadian Navy warships sailing from Esquimalt become among first of 25,000 Canadians to see action in Korea.
	Nancy Hodges prepares to take over her duties as BC's first woman Speaker in the Legislature.
	W.A.C. Bennet, premier in a minority government, sets the scene for decades of Social Credit domination of B.C. politics.
	Roger Bannister runs the "Miracle Mile," defeating John Landy at BC's new Empire Stadium during the British Empire and Commonwealth Games.
	Marilyn Bell becomes the first woman to swim Strait of Juan de Fuca.
	Chief Mungo Martin finishes carving the world's tallest (127 feet, 7 inches) totem pole.
	BC forestry minister Robert "Honest Bob" Sommers, sentenced to five years in jail, becomes first minister of the Crown to serve time for bribery and conspiracy.
	The demolition of Ripple Rock in Seymour Narrows near Campbell River removes hazard to West Coast ships.
	Midnight ferry service between Victoria and Vancouver cancelled.

More Island Moments by Danda Humphreys

	1500s - 1700s	1940s
	1800s	1950s
	1900s	1960s
	1910s	1970s
	1920s	1980s
	1930s	1990s

	History & Heritage of British Columbia	Events in British Columbia's History

This information, researched and written by Danda Humphreys, appeared in a special Millennium Issue of the Victoria Times Colonist, December 31, 1999.

"Step Back in Time" Heritage Walks and Talks.
Tel: (250) 382-8029
Email: danda@dandahumphreys.com
Website: www.DandaHumphreys.com

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