Published Jun 11, 2025 • 1 minute readMembers of the Men of the Deeps bow their heads during the moment of silence during the Davis Day ceremony in New Waterford on Wednesday. Chris Connors/Cape Breton PostHundreds of people gathered in Davis Square in New Waterford on Wednesday to mark the 100th anniversary of Davis Day, which commemorates the death of William Davis. On June 11, 1925, Davis, a 37-year-old miner and father of 10, was fatally shot when British Empire Steel Corp. guards opened fire on striking miners as they marched on the Waterford Lake pumping station and power plant. The centennial commemoration began with a service at Calvin United Church — which still bears the name of the original church where Davis’s funeral was held — followed by a march along Plummer Avenue to Davis Square where members of the Davis family were joined by United Mine Workers Association representatives, labour leaders and local and provincial politicians for a wreath-laying ceremony, speeches and music by the Men of the Deeps and the Breton Education Centre band. Bagpipers lead the procession of people marching from Calvin United Church down Plummer Avenue to Davis Square for the 100th anniversary of Davis Day on Wednesday. Chris Connors/Cape Breton Post The crowd at Davis Square spilled onto Plummer Avenue as hundreds of people came to pay their respects on the 100th anniversary of Davis Day in New Waterford on Wednesday. Chris Connors/Cape Breton Post Hughie MacArthur, a retired United Mine Workers of America international auditor and mine safety co-ordinator, approaches an attendant to accept a wreath to lay at the base of the William Davis statue during the Davis Day ceremony on Wednesday. Chris Connors/Cape Breton Post Men of the Deeps member Senley White sings lead vocals as the coal miner choral ensemble performed at the 100th anniversary Davis Day ceremony on Wednesday. Chris Connors/Cape Breton Post A wreath bearing the word “Dad” sits at the base of the William Davis statue during the Davis Day ceremony on Wednesday. Chris Connors/Cape Breton Post William Davis descendants William Davis, left, who travelled from Connecticut, and Norma Woods MacDonald of Dominion stand in front of the statue in Davis Square. Chris Connors/Cape Breton Post The United Mine Workers Association flag flies at half mast in Davis Square as a man wearing a “Standing the Gaff” shirt watches the Davis Day ceremony in New Waterford on Wednesday. Chris Connors/Cape Breton Post Breton Education Centre band member Madison McIsaac sings “We Rise Again” during the Davis Day ceremony on Wednesday. Chris Connors/Cape Breton Post Martin MacDonald reads one of the interpretative panels at Davis Square during the Davis Day ceremony Wednesday. MacDonald’s father Lauchie MacDonald, a stoker on a coal locomotive, was among the miners who “stood the gaff” during the 1925 strikes. Chris Connors/Cape Breton PostTHIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentArticle content
IN PHOTOS: Davis Day marks 100th anniversary
