November 22: Remembering John Higgins, Maitland Steinkopf; Kennedy reaction.

November 22, 1894 - The Killarney Guide (weekly newspaper) begins publication.

November 22, 1884John Higgins dies.

Born in Ireland, Higgins arrived at Red River in the 1860s and started selling wares from a cart. He eventually partnered in a retail store named Higgins and Young which brokered the first out-of-province sale of Manitoba wheat.

When Winnipeg was created in 1874, he was a well-known and wealthy citizen of Point Douglas and won a seat on the first city council.  In 1908, Higgins Street was named after him.

November 22, 1953 - The Winnipeg Chapter of the British North America Philatelic Society is formed. If you like postal history, check out Brandon University's Jory Collection of Manitoba Postal History.

November 22, 1970 - Maitland B. Steinkopf dies in Winnipeg.

He was a lawyer and politician, the first Jew to hold a provincial cabinet post but is most remembered as the  the president of the Manitoba Centennial Corporation. He was instrumental in the planning of many centennial celebration events and overseeing the construction of capital projects like the Centennial Concert Hall, Manitoba Museum, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, and Brandon's Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.

Sadly, he died of a heart attack during Manitoba’s centennial year and did not see a number of his projects completed.

November 22, 1963 - U.S. President John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Texas.

Like most of the world, Manitobans reacted with shock and disbelief. Just two months earlier, many headed down to Grand Forks, N.D. to catch a glimpse of him during a brief visit to the city.

When the news broke, traffic jams were reported on major streets as drivers stopped out front of newspaper offices or television shops to confirm the news.

Premier Roblin issued a statement of condolence to the family on behalf of all Manitobans and ordered all flags to half mast until after the funeral.  A number of events that day, including classes, concerts and a reception hosted by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet were cancelled.

For more Canadian reaction see CBC Archives.

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