2019 has now finished, and we have entered 2020. As such, let’s take a look at what happened in 2019:
In January, famed opera Bass-Baritone Theo Adam passed away at the age of 92. While the late Roy Halladay was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The United States Justice Department also brought charges against Chinese based Huawei. This increased tensions between the two countries with Canada becoming involved when they were asked to detain an executive from the company.
Sir Andrew Davis and the soloists in discussion with the Toronto Wagner Society after a rehearsal for the concert.
In February, Sir Andrew Davis celebrated his 75th birthday by leading the TSO in a performance of Act One of Die Walküre.
March saw the Blue Jays announce their opening day roster while Christine Goerke soared as Brünnhilde at the Met Opera in New York. Google is fined 1.49 billion Euros for trying to freeze out rivals in the online advertising business.
In April, the Maple Leafs lost to the Boston Bruins in the first round of the NHL playoffs. Emperor Akihito announced that he was going to abdicate due to his age. He would be succeeded by his son.
In May, I discussed how the province could fix the Region of Peel’s Council while the European Parliament’s election took place, the last in which the U.K. would be involved in prior to their withdrawal from the E.U. in 2020. With a turnout of 51%, this is the highest turnout in 40 years.
The U.K.’s Prime Minister, Theresa May also annoucned that she would be resigning effective June 7th.
Captain Canada Ian Millar announced his retirement from equestrian competition in May. Ian Millar is a record 10 time Olympian, an Olympic Silver Medallist, 10 time Medallist at the Pan American Games (Four Gold, Four Silver, and Two Bronze medals), three time winner of the Masters (currenlty, the “CP International”) at Spruce Meadows, Multiple time Nations’ Cup winner, two time World Cup Champion, and nine time Canadian Champion.
June saw the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. Famed director Franco Zeffirelli passed away at the age of 96. And on June 13th, ‘We the North’ became ‘We the Champs’ when the Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors four games to two to win their first NBA Championship. This was the first time a non-US based team ever on the title.
On July 1st, Canada turned 152. Later in July, the European Parliament elected Ursula von der Leyen the new President of the European Commission. She will be the first woman to hold the position. Boris Johnson, the former Mayor of London, succeeded Theresa May as Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. On July 26th, the Pan Am Games started in Lima, Peru.
In August, the Pan Am Games concluded with Canada winning 152 medals. August also sees strikes at the Hong Kong International Airport as part of a series of protest around the Hong Kong extradition bill. August also saw the 98th Warriors’ Day Parade at the CNE.
September saw the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) retire their old fleet of articulated streetcars. The streetcars are 30 years old amd were being replaced by newer articulated streetcars supplied by Bombardier. The travel company Thomas Cook went bankrupt.
On September 24th, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruled that the Government’s prorogation was unlawful.
In October, the Washington Nationals won their first World Series. The team started out as the Montreal Expos in 1969 before moving to Washington prior to the 2005 season.
On October 21st, the Liberal Party of Canada led by Justin Trudeau won a minority Government.
On October 30th, Twitter announced that it was banning all political advertising.
In November, Sir Andrew Davis – the TSO’s conductor laureate and interm Music Director – led the Toronto Symphony in a concert version of Massent’s Thaïs.
On Novemebr 23rd, the last known Sumatran rhinoceros in Malaysia passed away. Less then 100 Sumatran rhinos are now known to exist.
November 24th saw the Winnipeg Blue Bombers beat the Hamilton Tiger Cats in the 107th Grey Cup game.
Early December saw Santa arrive in South Etobicoke.
#4198 entering Exhibition Place
On December 12th, amongst questions over Brexit, the Conservative Party under Boris Johnson is re-elected with a majoirty Government.
December also saw the end of revenue service for the TTC’s Canadian Light Rail Vehicle (CLRV) streetcars. In honour of their retirement, the TTC ran special runs on December 29th, and they had CLRV #4178 repainted in a special livery.
And now for some housekeeping:
- My Blog was read 2671 times this year – for an average of 223 visits per month or seven per day. Thank you!
- My top five viewed posts were as follows:
- Christine Goerke reigns over Turandot: Live in HD from The Met Opera (654 views)
- World Juniors 2020: Team Canada Ready to Compete (95 views)
- Condominium Social Committees (66 views)
- Happy Victoria Day 2019 (60 views)
- Sir Andrew Davis Celebrates 75th Birthday with Wagner and the TSO (35 views)
- The most popular month was October with 768 total views.
- 362 views were recorded on October 12th, 2019 – the all time most views in one day for my blog.
- This is my 391st blog post.
Thank you for reading this post, and following my blog! It is very much appreciated.
Here’s to a great 2020!!! Happy New Year!
Edward Brain's Blog 