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For more
than 60 years the Department of Education (now the Ministry
of Education) promoted homage to the Monarchy and patriotism
within the Commonwealth by setting aside one school day
a year to observe Commonwealth traditions and ideals.
The day was
called "Empire Day" and it was observed in May
preceding Queen Victoria's birthday. The Department issued
teaching aids and advice in colourfully published in "Empire
Day pamphlets", many of which are in the Archives' collection.
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Each issue
includes a message from the Minister of Education as well as specific
instructions for teachers of children from kindergarten to Grade
8.
The
1952 issue expounds on the ideals of citizenship, devotion
to duty and service to others, and includes a recommended
list of English literature from across commonwealth countries.
The
illustration of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on
the front cover of the 1952 issue appears to be drawn by
a child but there is no reference to the artist inside.
Cover of the 1952 Empire Day Pamphlet
Gov't Doc Ed/ Em 1952
Pamphlet 1952/no.26
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Empire
Day was also used to teach children the basic political
history of their province. The reproduction of the first
Parliament of Upper Canada in Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake)
in 1792 is in the same issue. The Minister of Education
quotes the beginning of Lieutenant Governor Simcoe's address:
"I
have summoned you together, under the authority of an
Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, passed last year,
which has established the British Constitution, and all
the forms which secure and maintain it, in this distant
country."
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The First Legislature of Upper Canada, 1955
[Click
here or on the image above to identify Ontario's
first lieutenant-governor,
first parliamentarians, and first Speaker of the Legislative
Assembly.]
F.S. Challener (1869-1959)
oil on canvas, 188.0 cm x 274.3 cm
Government of Ontario Art Collection, 619857 |
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Every
issue praised Ontario's links to the British Empire and
made such sentiments a priority for teaching in the classroom.
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Cover of the 1954 Empire Day Pamphlet
Pamphlet 1954/no.26
Gov't Doc Ed/ Em 1954
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Cover of the 1956 Empire Day Pamphlet
Pamphlet 1956/no.26
Gov't Doc Ed/ Em 1956
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By 1973 Empire Day had fallen by the wayside but the then Minister
of Education, Thomas L. Wells, wrote a letter to elementary
school teachers urging them to use the Royal visit to teach children
about the Monarchy. Part of the letter reads:
"The Crown has held a place of special significance throughout
Ontario's history. The visit of our Queen serves as a reminder
of this fact, and I believe it can be a more memorable occasion
for our young citizens if it is supported by a meaningful learning
experience."
To the letter he attached an itinerary of the upcoming visit
and a colourful map/poster of their intended destinations.
Click to see a
larger image (107K)
Letter from Minister of Education, Thomas Wells, 1973
Reference Code: RG 58-12
Archives of Ontario |
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