The Halifax explosion occurred when the French cargo ship Mont-Blanc, loaded with munitions, collided with the Norwegian vessel Imo in the narrow waters of Halifax Harbour, during the First World War. A fire broke out on the Mont-Blanc, and some time later it detonated in one of the largest accidental non-nuclear explosions in history. The blast and the resulting tsunami destroyed much of the north end of the city, killing around two thousand people and injuring many thousands more. A blizzard the next day hindered relief efforts, but help came from across Canada and from Boston. Nova Scotia thanks Boston each year by sending a Christmas tree, which stands in the city during the holiday season.
Before and after
- 14 November 1917Birth of Park Chung-hee
- 15 November 1917Death of Émile Durkheim
- 19 November 1917Birth of Indira Gandhi
- from 20 November 1917 to 8 December 1917Battle of Cambrai
- 6 December 1917Halifax explosion
- 16 December 1917Birth of Arthur C. Clarke
- 21 December 1917Birth of Heinrich Böll
- from 1918 to 1920Georgian–Ossetian conflict (1918–1920)
- 1918Shche ne vmerla Ukrainy i slava, i volia
More in Society, economy & sport
- 1919Founding of International Labour Organization
- 1919Founding of International Astronomical Union
- 7 September 1923Founding of Interpol
- 22 March 1928Founding of Muslim Brotherhood
- from 1932 to 1933Holodomor
- 5 September 1944Founding of Benelux
The era
This moment belongs to the Modern era (1914 CE to 1945 CE), world wars and a changing world. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.