Christmas is often called the season of peace, but in 1883 a Boxing Day confrontation between Protestants and Catholics in Harbour Grace led to a riot, five deaths and a public outcry that reshaped politics in the colony. The Catholic fraternities typically held annual parades on St. Patrick’s Day, but scheduling a Protestant celebration was a bit more complicated. That was the height of the fishing season when most rural men couldn’t afford to take a day off work. St. Stephen’s Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day were popular choices for parade dates. The 7,000 residents of Harbour Grace in the late 1800s were roughly 60 percent Protestant and 40 percent Catholic.

Source: CBC News December 26, 2025 16:34 UTC