The Quebec Tercentenary, 1908: Canada’s First National Military Pageant

Authors

Mark Reid, Canadian War Museum

Abstract

The Quebec Tercentenary celebrations of 1908 constituted one of the largest gatherings of military forces on Canadian soil before 1914, yet the affair has been largely eclipsed by the momentous events of the First World War. The recent donation to the Canadian War Museum of the scrapbooks of General Sir William Otter, however, have provided some information on the contemporary view of the Tercentenary as seen through the eyes of Canadian journalists. The 19 leather-bound folios, covering his entire military career, were compiled by his loyal wife “Molly,” and contain a wealth of newspaper clippings, official programs and invitations. Every scrap and memento has been neatly trimmed and pasted before being carefully identified in her clear long-hand script.

Recommended Citation

Reid, Mark "The Quebec Tercentenary, 1908: Canada’s First National Military Pageant." Canadian Military History 8, 2 (1999)