About the Court
This day in the history
of the Supreme Court of Canada
and in the legal history of Canada
July 24
1534
Jacques Cartier places a cross adorned with a fleur de lys in the Gaspé region of Canada. It is for this reason that the fleur de lys became the first heraldic symbol of Canada and is included on the crest of Canada's coat of arms. Canada's coat of arms is displayed prominently on the North wall of the Supreme Court of Canada's courtroom.
1893
Justice Christopher Salmon Patterson, puisne judge of the Supreme Court of Canada, dies in office at the age of 70.
