St. Lawrence Seaway is completed
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and US President Eisenhower at the Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway, June 26, 1959, Duncan Cameron. Library and Archives Canada, a121475
April 25, 1959
Heralded as an engineering marvel, the St. Lawrence Seaway opened to commercial traffic on April 25, 1959. Its completion linked the North American industrial heartland of the Great Lakes region with Atlantic ports, making it easier to export North American goods — as well as prairie wheat — to European and other markets.
Each day for 150 days leading up to the opening of the Canadian History Hall, we’re presenting one moment among the many that have shaped our country. Discover more of Canada’s significant historical events in the new Canadian History Hall, opening July 1, 2017.