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Pack your virtual bags and get ready to explore the past on Nova Scotia Heritage Day on February 19! This exceptional day was first celebrated in 2015 as an ode to Nova Scotia's rich history and diverse culture. It marks an exceptional voyage into the past, with each year shedding light on a particular person, place or event that has made a substantial contribution to the province's heritage. From the ancient Mi'kmaq civilization to the early European settlers and beyond, this day is a vibrant celebration of the strength, resilience and richness that has shaped Nova Scotia. Come and join the excitement of this enriching journey through time in this jewel of Eastern Canada!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2013</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Province Declares Holiday</div><div class='timeline-text'>Debate to recognize heritage day started in the provincial legislature, resulting in the unanimous approval of a bill introducing Nova Scotia Heritage Day as an annual statutory holiday.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2015</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Heritage Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>Nova Scotia celebrates its first heritage day, honoring Viola Desmond, a pioneering black businesswoman who challenged racial segregation.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Joseph Howe Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The province honors Joseph Howe, a significant figure in Nova Scotia who championed press freedom and responsible government in Canada.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2017</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Mikmaq History Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>The heritage day honors Mi’kmaq culture to acknowledge the history of Mi'kmaq people in the region stretching back for thousands of years.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Immigration History Appreciation</div><div class='timeline-text'>Mona Louise Parsons, a Canadian actress and World War II heroine, is honored, highlighting the significance of immigration in the formation of Nova Scotia’s culture and heritage.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2021</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Acknowledging Negro Communities</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Holiday remembers Edward Francis Arab, a lawyer of Lebanese descent who died in World War II, and commemorates the past and present contributions of the African Nova Scotian community.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Unleash your inner historian</h3><p class='facts-text'>Whether you live in Nova Scotia or not, use this opportunity to delve into the province's past. Read interesting historical books, watch documentaries, or go online to discover fascinating facts about Nova Scotia.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cook a traditional NS meal</h3><p class='facts-text'>Devote some time to explore Nova Scotia's culinary heritage by whipping up a traditional Nova Scotian meal! Dig into historic recipes like Digby scallops, lobster rolls, or blueberry grunt dessert.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Visit historic sites virtually</h3><p class='facts-text'>Many of Nova Scotia's important heritage sites, such as the Fortress of Louisbourg and Halifax Citadel, offer free virtual tours. Immerse yourself in history without even leaving your home.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Dabble in art</h3><p class='facts-text'>Get in the spirit by creating art inspired by Nova Scotia's history and culture. Paint a scene from one of its picturesque towns or design your own tartan, a nod to the province's Scottish roots.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Listen to Nova Scotian music</h3><p class='facts-text'>The Celtic-inspired folk music, that the area is known for, can be found on any streaming platform. Let the soothing strings take you on a journey into Nova Scotia's artistic heritage.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a journey into the past</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Nova Scotia Heritage Day provides an opportunity to delve deep into the rich history and diverse cultures of Nova Scotia. From learning about ancient civilizations to understanding the influences of early European settlers, it’s a fascinating journey that educates and enlightens us about the roots of this vibrant region.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates cultural diversity</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The day is a celebration of the different cultures that have contributed to Nova Scotia's heritage. This includes cuisines, music, arts, and traditions that have been passed down through generations. Celebrating Nova Scotia's cultural diversity helps us appreciate the differences in our world and understand the common threads that connect us all.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Interactive and engaging activities</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Nova Scotia's Heritage Day offers a range of engaging activities, such as cooking traditional meals, visiting historic sites virtually, creating Nova Scotia-inspired art, and listening to local folk music. These fun activities make learning about history an enjoyable experience, and offer an insight into the province's vibrant culture and heritage.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Heritage Day is a Rotating Holiday</h3><p class='facts-content'>Unlike most holidays that celebrate a fixed individual, innovation, or event, Nova Scotia Heritage Day highlights a different theme every year, making each celebration unique.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Nova Scotia is Known for its Multiculturalism</h3><p class='facts-content'>Nova Scotia, Latin for "New Scotland," was predominantly settled by the Scottish and the Irish but also holds Indigenous, French Acadian, African, and Lebanese cultural roots, all celebrated through Heritage Days.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Heritage Day Encourages Historical Education</h3><p class='facts-content'>Local educational institutions and workplaces encourage participation in Heritage Day activities, underlining the importance of recognizing the historical and cultural significance of the diverse societies in Nova Scotia.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Province's Ancient History is Underscored</h3><p class='facts-content'>Heritage Day helps foreground the many millennia of history in Nova Scotia, beginning with the Mi'kmaq, the Indigenous people who inhabited the region long before European settlers arrived.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Heritage Day Nurtures Community Bonds</h3><p class='facts-content'>The day's events, while emphasising historical awareness, also foster a sense of community and belonging among Nova Scotians, as they together celebrate their shared heritage and history.</p></div></div>
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