WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF HEROISM?

Heroism can loosely be defined as committing a selfless act of valour. An act of heroism can be as extreme as putting oneself in danger in an attempt to save the life of another or it can be as simple as offering a hand to someone in need. Whatever the case may be, the result is generally the same; heroism provides hope and inspiration.. Montreal is filled with past and present heroes whose acts of heroism are greatly responsible for making Montreal the city the luxury travel destination it is today.

Montreal is a city rich in diverse cultures, heritages and languages. It is this diversity that makes it one of the most unique cities in the world Part of this heritage includes approximately 161 thousand Irish Montreal.

In the late 1840's tens of thousands of Irish people immigrated to Quebec to escape famine and poverty in Ireland. Thousands of them died of ship fever on route, others were quarantined and later died in Quebec City and 6000 of them were laid to rest in trenches dug near what is now known as the Victoria Bridge in Montreal.

Years after the ship fever incident, Irish immigrants were hired to dig along the St. Lawrence River in order to make way for the bridge. What they uncovered when they began excavating was the skeletal remains of their ancestors who had been laid to rest in these shallow graves years earlier.

An incredible act of heroism took place when some of the workers refused to continue to dig and desecrate the area any further. They stood united in this cause even with the risk of losing their jobs. One must consider that during this time period jobs for Irish immigrants were scarce and this could have left them having little or no means to provide for their families. As a result of their courage a monument was erected to preserve the burial site from further damage.

"The Black Stone" to which this monument is referred is a 30 ton, 10 foot high boulder with the inscription "to preserve from desecration the remains of 6000 immigrants who died of ship fever." It is signed and dated 1847-48 by the workmen of Messrs. Petro Brassey & Betts.

The stone is a reminder to many of how one selfless act of standing up for what is right and wrong can make a difference to an entire community. This heroic act is remembered each and every year by hundreds of Irish descendants and Montreal dignitaries who volunteer and participate in the annual United Irish Societies of Montreals' march to the stone.

The selfless act of these Irish workers remembered each and every year by their ancestors is but one fascinating story of Montreal. These are stories of ordinary people who have done extraordinary things to help shape their community.

Do you have a good example of citizen diplomat, heroism or volunteering? Feel feel to share it with us at links@luxetraveldeals.com