Why London’s bicentennial follows its centennial by 71 years

London Celebrates 200th Birthday This Year

The City of London, local historians, and several heritage organizations are celebrating London’s 200th birthday this year. This celebration follows the city’s 100th milestone, which was marked only 71 years ago in 1955.

Historians note that the city’s centennial was celebrated with great fanfare in 1955. The bicentennial will be celebrated in 2026.

Amber Lloydlangston, curator of history and contemporary culture at Museum London, explained the history. She said, “Every community goes through many stages of growth and development. In 1826, [London] actually became a place where people lived and business was conducted … then in 1855, London achieved city status.”

London’s exact birthday is January 30, 1826. This date marks when it became a legal entity and administrative center. The old Middlesex County courthouse was built at 399 Ridout Street and 50 King Street.

London became an official city when its population grew to more than 10,000 people nearly three decades later. The city celebrated centennial anniversaries for both of these dates in the 1900s.

James Reaney, president of the London and Middlesex Historical Society (LMHS), said, “1926 was a huge deal as the centennial of 1826. We had a big party here.”

Lloydlangston mentioned that 29 years later, there were more celebrations, including collectible merchandise and a special London song. She said, “I think that people were very excited about both … and I think people like to take these major milestones to try to take a good look at themselves.”

Reaney highlighted another important year in London’s history: 1793, when Lieutenant-General John Graves Simcoe arrived and named the area London. While there have been some celebrations for that year, they have not been as large as those for 1826 and 1855.

Lloydlangston also noted the significance of 1840, when London became a town. Both historians emphasized that London’s history goes back much further than its recognized milestone dates.

Reaney stated, “London’s history started long before the important point in 1826.” He added that the LMHS plans to include the history of Indigenous peoples in the region during bicentennial events this year.

Lloydlangston believes that 1826 is the more legitimate beginning of London. She said, “There have been people here forever, but those folks who wanted to become part of a town called London moved here and started growing this place [in 1826].”

LMHS agrees that this year marks the city’s real bicentennial. Reaney also mentioned that Londoners should expect more bicentennial celebrations in 2055 and beyond.

He said, “The London I loved and grew up in during the 1960s is not the vibrant, diverse and big-city London that is showing every sign of adding more diversity and inclusivity today.” He added, “I think London is still becoming London and we should celebrate that every day.”