A century after Calgarians dedicated “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” to soldiers returning from the First World War, the Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled a pure silver coin commemorating the 1919 “Victory Stampede.” The coin – as well as this year’s Calgary Stampede parade, which kicks off the 10-day event on July 5 – marks the 100th anniversary of the first rodeo after the Great War. This historic “Victory Stampede” was officially opened by Brigadier-General H.F. McDonald, then commander of Military District 13 at Camp Sarcee in Calgary. It was only the second stampede ever held in the Alberta city. Despite success with the inaugural event in 1912, the stampede didn’t become an annual affair in Calgary until 1923. A year after that first stampede, promoter Guy Weadick moved the event to Winnipeg and then to the U.S. and abroad until the end of the First World War. Continue reading →
Designed by Calgary artist Michelle Grant, the reverse (right) of a newly issued $20 pure silver coin captures the excitement of the 1919 ‘Victory Stampede.’ This post-war stampede featured several rodeo competitions, including roping.
