Monday, August 2, 2021
Lieutenant Colonel John By supervised the construction of Ottawa’s Rideau Canal and had a major influence on its design. Canal construction began in 1826 and involved some 6,000 workers at multiple sites along its 202 km route. The entire length was navigable by 1832. Today, the Rideau Canal is both a National Historic Site of Canada and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Colonel By Day, held on the holiday Monday in August each year (in recognition of the Colonel's birth date of August 7, 1779) is an annual celebration of the history of the Rideau Canal and Bytown’s founder, Lieutenant Colonel John By.
The next Colonel By Day takes place on the Civic Holiday Monday, August 2, 2021.
For more information about the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada CLICK HERE to visit the Government of Canada's website.
Image Credit: Artwork by C. W. Jeffreys, ca. 1930-1931 / Library and Archives Canada / C-073703