BC150 Years ~ Celebrating the Best Place on Earth!
The BC150 Years Secretariat is the energetic branch of the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts tasked with organizing and implementing BC150 Years celebrations across British Columbia.
BC150 Years celebrates the adventures, struggles, people, events and achievements that have shaped our provincial identity. It's a celebration with a focus on five strong pillars: Heritage, Communities, Multiculturalism, Aboriginals, and Arts & Culture.
Across BC, communities will be celebrating with events and activities planned to highlight their history and growth to where we are today - a thriving economy with deep cultural roots and population that is looking to the future with open arms.
Signature events that capture the imagination and shows we have a lot to be proud of have been planned. At the same time, we're building bridges with First Nations, diverse cultures, communities, business, educators and arts and culture organizations to give them the support and tools they need to ensure that everyone is part of the celebration.
Celebrating the Birthplace of BC
The Langley area was the first part of the lower mainland of British Columbia where European settlement was established. Fort Langley was built in 1827 under the direction of James McMillan, Chief Trader of the Hudson's Bay Company. It was situated about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the mouth of the Fraser River. The prime objectives of the Fort were to establish a fur trading post and to initiate some agricultural activities, which would secure a steady supply of food for the occupants of the various fur trading posts west of the Rockies.
Fort Langley achieved global attention in 1858, following the discovery of gold by James Houston along the Thompson and Fraser Rivers. Fort Langley became a large supply centre, outfitting thousands of gold miners passing through the area. The gold rush also caused a significant increase in farming operations as the demand for food rose.
The gold rush and the declaration of 49th parallel as the United States border resulted in the creation of the Crown Colony of British Columbia. On November 19, 1858, the actual proclamation of Crown Colony status took place in the Big House at Fort Langley. Thus Fort Langley was proclaimed the birthplace of B.C.
Numerous events have been planned for 2008 to celebrate our province's birthday. Many of these are listed below. We hope that you and your family will be able to join us in Langley as we celebrate in style!
Visit http://www.bc150.ca/bc150.aspx for the latest updates and how you can be a part of BC's birthday.
Langley Spirit of BC is a registered non-profit society. Supported by 2010 Legacies Now and the Province of BC, Spirit of BC is a province-wide initiative that promotes community innovation, pride and excellence, and involves British Columbians in the opportunities arising from the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
"The Government of Canada has contributed funding to this initiative."
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