On a spring day in 1878, 40,000 people crowded around Toronto Bay to watch the world’s greatest rower, Ned Hanlan, defeat American champ Fred Plaisted.
Excitement was so high the city declared it an official holiday. Organisers built grandstands on the water, and people scaled onto rooftops along the waterfront. One fan even fell to his death from a grain elevator. Despite the tragedy, the day was celebrated as a thrilling success thanks to Hanlan’s win.
A Canadian Legend: Ned Hanlan
- Born 1855, Toronto, Ontario; died 1904, Toronto, Ontario.
- Grew up on the Toronto islands and used to row to school on the mainland.
- Once charged for bootlegging, but the scandal was quickly forgotten after his first big win; he was feted as a hero by the mayor and a crowd of thousands.
- Hanlan was such a dominant athlete—and showboat—that he’d pause during races to blow kisses to the crowd.
