This time line consists of local, national, and international events relevant to the Canadian experience. It serves to contextualize the growth and evolution of VIU.
Source: The Canadian Encyclopedia Online
May 1940
- Nanaimo's Civic Arena officially opened
1940
- Canadian-American biochemist Martin Kamen discovered carbon-14, an isotope of carbon later used to date archaeological object
1940-1945
- Camp Nanaimo, an army training camp was in operation at the site of present-day VIU from 1940-1945. At the end of the war the Vocational Training School occupied the facilities
Camp Nanaimo on Wakesiah Street, circa 1942
Image courtesy of Nanaimo Community Archives
Camp Nanaimo on Wakesiah Street, circa 1943
Image courtesy of Nanaimo Community Archives
June 1941
- The census reported the population of Canada as 11,506,000
December 1941
- Japan attacked Pearl Harbour, bringing the US into the Second World War
January 1942
- The name "United Nations", coined by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was first used in the Declaration of United Nations of January 1, 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers
February 1942
- Federal government announced that all people of Japanese origin living in the coastal regions of BC would be relocated to the BC interior or inland farming areas
May 1945
- The unconditional surrender of Germany was signed at Rheims on May 7 and ratified at Berlin on May 8
June 1945
- Canada joined the United Nations at its founding
January 1946
- The once-famous schooner Bluenose hit a reef and sank off the coast of Haiti. The crew of 8 men was rescued
February 1947
- Vern "Dry Hole" Hunter struck oil near Leduc, AB. The discovery ended a long decline in the Alberta oil industry, began an era of prosperity for the province and spared Canada dependence on foreign oil
February 1948
- Against all odds, RCAF Flyers won the ice hockey Gold medal on an outdoor rink at the Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland
December 1948
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was approved by the General Assembly of United Nations. It was drafted by Eleanor Roosevelt and Canadian law professor John Humphrey
March 1949
- Newfoundland entered the Dominion of Canada as the 10th province
April 1949
- Canada, along with 11 other countries, signed the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO) marking a new era of economic ties with USA