Observing Important Dates in Our Nation’s History
Two major Canadian milestones are coming up for neighbours, Nunavut and Newfoundland and Labrador! On March 31st, 2018, Newfoundland and Labrador celebrates 69 years of Confederation, and on April 1st, 2018, Nunavut celebrates 19 years as the third territory of Canada.
Newfoundland and Labrador – Happy 69th Birthday!
Though often shortened to Newfoundland, in 2001 its name was officially changed to “Newfoundland and Labrador.” The newer name reflects the large area of land on the continental mainland. It was March 31, 1949, when Newfoundland joined Confederation, making it the youngest Canadian province. From 1907 – 1949 it was a British dominion, as were Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

Northern Lights, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador – Source: narcity.com
Interesting Facts about Newfoundland and Labrador
1. Strange Time Zone
Newfoundland and Labrador has a 30-minute time zone, which is quite unusual. Newfoundland and Labrador is 90 minutes ahead of Eastern Time, and 30 minutes ahead of Atlantic Time.
2. One of the Oldest Settlements in North America
St. John’s, the provincial capital, is one of the oldest settlements in North America. There are several possible origins for its name, including being named after explorer John Cabot, who may have sailed into its harbour in 1497. Water St. in downtown St. John’s is reputed to be North America’s oldest street.

Water St, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, August 1945 – Source: cbc.ca
3. Brightly-painted Houses
Row houses are painted in bright and vibrant colours so that ships coming into St. John’s harbour can see land more easily. This makes even more sense since fog is a common occurrence, averaging 200+ days per year.

Row Houses in Newfoundland and Labrador – Source: plentyofcolour.com
Nunavut – Happy 19th Birthday!
Nunavut is an Inuit word which means “our land.” On April 1, 1999, the eastern part of the Northwest Territories became Nunavut, dividing the massive territory. This change was decades in the making, and involved the largest land claims settlement in Canadian history. The Inuit gained control over 350,000 square kilometres of land, including mineral rights to a portion of the land. The creation of Nunavut brought about the first change to our nation’s map since Newfoundland and Labrador joined Confederation on March 31, 1949.

Sunset in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut – Photo by: K. Holben
Interesting Facts about Nunavut
1. Day and Night in Nunavut
The sun rises and sets differently in Nunavut than what most Canadians experience. This territory’s earliest sunset happens in mid-December, at 1:40 p.m. The latest sunrise takes place closer to Christmas at 9:25 a.m. During the summer months, the capital, Iqaluit has more than 20 hours of sunlight every day! Hard to imagine for most!
2. Inuit Country Food
“Country Food” in a term used to describe traditional Inuit foods. These include caribou, whale, arctic char and seal meat. Since the earliest days, country foods were consumed for day-to-day survival. Today, these foods create family and cultural connections, and are a huge part of the Inuit values of sharing and caring for one another.

Arctic Char (Pipsi) Drying – Source: destinationnunavut.ca
3. The Symbolic Beauty of the Nunavut Flag
Adopted on April 1, 1999, the blue and yellow colours symbolize the richness of the land, sea and sky. The red reflects Canada, and the Inuksuk at the centre represents stone structures in human likeness. Inuksuks guide people on the land, and are also used to mark special or sacred locations. The star is the North Star or “Niqirtsuituq”, which is symbolizes the leadership of elders in the community.
The Flag Shop is here to help you celebrate all that’s great about your province or territory, (including Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nunavut, of course!) with flags of all sizes, as well as friendship pins, crests, window clings, and decals! See the vibrant array, including provincial sets!
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