2012 - A Banner Year

200th birthday of Charles Dickens
Dickens' biographer, Claire Tomalin, wonders what Dickens would make of the world on his 200th birthday in this letter to him published in The Guardian.


100th Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic
One way to memorialize this momentous historical event is to take an Anniversary Cruise. Of course you might have second thoughts about doing so after the recent Costa Concordia disaster.


100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts of America
Juliet Gordon Low gathered 18 girls together in Savannah, Georgia for that historical first meeting in 1912. Girl Guides of Canada had by then already been meeting for 3 years.


100th Anniversary of the Publication of Stephen Leacock's Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town
Leacock's lens focused onto the quirkiness of our humanity. His self-deprecating humour showed us how we can laugh at ourselves, without taking ourselves too seriously and, as a result, set the standard for what is now typical Canadian humour.

Any other Major Anniversaries in 2012 that you know of?

Next day update:

100th Anniversary of the Opening of The Chateau Laurier in Ottawa
Building of the hotel cost $2 million back then and guest rooms were $2. In the intervening years the hotel has seen many famous guests. It remains fabulous, inside and out.

50th Anniversary of the United Church Women
Canada-wide network of women working together to promote truth, justice, peace, caring and sharing with respect for all in the community and wider world.

Queen's Diamond Jubilee
60 Years on the Throne in the UK. More info here.

Feb. 25 Update:

War of 1812
200th Anniversary