1934 |
August 9: Pierce Power,
a young dock worker from the South Side, is elected chairman of
the St. John's Unemployed Committee. |
1935 |
The population is about
290,000. |
| |
January 10: As leader
of the Unemployed Committee, Pierce Power leads a parade to the
Colonial Building to protest the condition of people on the dole.
|
| |
About one quarter of
the children between the ages of 6 and 14 in Newfoundland and
Labrador do not attend school. |
| |
May 10: Unemployed people
riot in St. John's. They are led by Pierce Power. |
| |
A minimum wage is set
for loggers. |
| |
December 25: Pierce Power,
former leader of the Unemployed Committee, slashes Police Constable
Michael Walsh. Later, Power is convicted of the attack and sent
to prison for 5 years. |
1936 |
May: The first semi-automatic
traffic signal is installed at Rawlins Cross in St. John's. It
is operated by a nearby policeman. |
| |
June: Construction begins
on an airfield in central Newfoundland. This is the beginning
of what will become the Gander air base and later, the Gander
Airport. |
| |
The cottage hospital
system begins. Eight cottage hospitals are built this year. |
1939 |
About 85,000 people,
one half of the workforce, is on government relief. |
| |
September: Germany invades
Poland. France and Great Britain declare war on Germany. Newfoundland
follows. World War II begins. |
1940 |
The Royal Canadian Air
Force takes over the Gander Airfield. |
| |
June 14: German troops
enter Paris. France surrenders to Germany. |