Friday past marked the 96th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion, which was a huge historical event for Nova Scotia’s capital, but also for any nearby city able to lend a hand.

The explosion, the result of a harbour collision between the French cargo ship, SS Mont-Blanc, loaded with explosives and the Norwegian SS Imo, took place December 6th, 1917.  The end result was upwards of 2000 dead and 9000 injured in the blast that leveled much of the city.

In 1992, the city of Halifax issued a medal commemorating the 75th anniversary of the explosion and handed it out to survivors of the tragedy.  The estimated number struck is less than 100.  It is made of cast bronze plate and measures 32mm.

The structure in the first image is the memorial bell tower.