It’s the 100th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion.
Nearly 2,000 people were killed and over 9,000 wounded when a ship carrying explosives collided with another vessel in Halifax Harbour, wiping out a large portion of the city.
This afternoon at 2 in West Pubnico, the community connection to the event will be discussed at the Musée des Acadiens des Pubnicos.
Bernice d’Entremont with the museum says they have a display of those from Pubnico who were involved in the explosion.
“Two d’Entremonts’ died. The people from those families will come and say a few words about that person, and afterwards each person will light a candle for their relatives.”
Albanie and Anselme d’Entremont died from their injuries.
Bernice d’Entremont says relatives of survivors of the explosion will also be on hand to discuss their relatives’ memories of that fateful day.
“To reflect on the damage and circumstances and what it looked like in Halifax after the explosion, it’s almost impossible to imagine.”
Mande d’Entremont was on the ‘Lansdowne’ ship in Halifax Harbour, and witnessed a ‘ball of fire.’
His daughter Margaret will recant her father’s memories, and stories will be told by Laurent d’Entremont and Real d’Entremont.
Also, the story of Simon Amirault, a native of Middle East Pubnico will be shared.
Amirault worked with the Red Cross in 1917 after the explosion.
He was personally involved in saving two lives by dragging two injured persons to safety from a building, which less than half hour later was completely destroyed by fire.
He escaped serious injury.
In 1917, nearly 2,000 men, women, and children were killed in the Halifax Explosion. 100 years later, we remember the victims of this terrible tragedy and all those who came to Halifax’s aid. https://t.co/mzplEfH79n pic.twitter.com/wM06q5BqQr
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 6, 2017