On this day in Hamilton - 1901 - Clementina Fessenden originates a public holiday called Victoria Day to honour the Empire by celebrating Queen's birthday; a schoolteacher, she is the mother of radio pioneer Reginald Fessenden.

Hamilton Ontario -Clementina Fessenden originates a public holiday called Victoria Day to honour the Empire by celebrating Queen's birthday; a schoolteacher, she is the mother of radio pioneer Reginald Fessenden.

Fessenden, Mrs. Clementina,néeTrenholme(d.1918), imperialist, was born in the province of Quebec, the daughter of Edward Trenholme, of Trenholme, Quebec, and Marian Kidley. She was educated in Montreal , and in 1867 married the Rev. E. G. Fessenden, who died leaving her a widow. She became organizing secretary of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire; and it was largely owing to her efforts that Empire Day (May 24, the birthday of Queen Victoria ) was established in Canada. She died at Hamilton, Ontario, on September 14, 1918. She was the author ofOur Union Jack, The genesis of empire day,and other pamphlets.

Source: W. Stewart WALLACE, ed.,The Encyclopedia ofCanada, Vol. II.Toronto, University Associates ofCanada, 1948, 411p., p. 331-332.