October 08

Jeanne Mance, a pioneer nurse and social reformer, founded the Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal to care for the sick and wounded settlers of Ville-Marie. Drawing on charitable support from France, she organized the hospital’s funding, staff, and supplies. The facility served diverse patients, including soldiers, missionaries, and Indigenous peoples. Mance’s vision and dedication set enduring standards for nursing care and hospital administration in the colony. Her legacy endures as a cornerstone of Canadian healthcare history.

Designed by George and Robert Stephenson, Rocket faced five rival engines in the Rainhill Trials on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. Its innovative multi-tubular boiler and lightweight frame allowed it to reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Rocket's performance convinced judges of its reliability and efficiency for passenger service. This victory catalyzed the rapid expansion of steam-powered railways across Britain and the world. The design principles proven at Rainhill became the standard for locomotive engineering in the decades that followed.