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49th parallel
DCHP-2 (Jun 2016)
Spelling variants:forty-ninth parallel
1 n. — Geography
the section of the circle of latitude 49 degrees north of the equator that marks the international border between Canada and the US (see Image 1).
Type: 4. Culturally Significant — In 1818, following the War of 1812, British and American governments agreed to make the 49th parallel the official western border between Canada and the US, from the Lake of the Woods (which borders Ontario, Manitoba and Minnesota) up to the Rocky Mountains. The area west of the Rocky Mountains was known as the Columbia District (by Canadians) or Oregon Country (by Americans) and its ownership was disputed until the Oregon Treaty of 1846 was established (also known as the Treaty of Washington in the US), which extended the international border along the 49th parallel to the Strait of Georgia. See also the Canadian Encyclopedia reference.
See also COD-2, s.v. "forty-ninth parallel", ITP Nelson, s.v. "forty-ninth parallel", and DA, s.v. "forty-niner" (10a).
See also COD-2, s.v. "forty-ninth parallel", ITP Nelson, s.v. "forty-ninth parallel", and DA, s.v. "forty-niner" (10a).
Quotations
1845
That reserving for a future occasion such observations as he might wish to present by way of explanations in reply to the statement, last presented by the American plenipotentiary, he was for the present obliged to declare, with reference to the concluding part of that statement, that he did not feel authorised to enter into discussion respecting the territory north of the 49th parallel of latitude, which was understood by the British Government to [xxx] the basis of negotiation on the part of the United States [xxx] the line of the Columbia formed that on the side of Great Britain.
1863
This central desert extends, however, but a short way into British territory, forming a triangle having for its base the 49th parallel from longitude 100° to 114° W with its apex reaching the 52nd parallel of latitude.
1872
The lines bounding townships on the east and west sides, shall in all cases be true meridians and those on the north and south sides shall be chords intersecting circles of latitude passing through the angles of the townships. The townships shall be numbered in regular order northerly from the international boundary or 49th parallel of latitude, and shall lie ranges numbered, Manitoba east and west from a certain meridian line run in 1868, after the 'Principal Meridian,' drawn northerly from the 49th parallel at a point two miles or thereabouts westerly from Pembina. In the United States they had certain governing lines, but their townships were laid out east and west, and they had no such provisions as in our bill.
1903
The American husbands will become Canadian, and the Canadian husbands American. In each country these uxorious influences will be operating to balance each other. In each country there will be what the diplomatists call an enclave, a State within a State, un organized [sic] sentiment which looks wistfully across the forty-ninth parallel.
1918
Food control viewed from the eminence of the 'parish pump' is very simple, but there are no 'parish pumps' in Canada of sufficient altitude to command a view of the forty-ninth parallel from the Atlantic to the Pacific, 8,800 miles.
1942
To say that some of our forces will only go to the forty-ninth parallel or to the dividing line which runs between the Great Lakes and separates Canada from the United States, or to any other imaginary line, or to the twelve-mile limit along the Atlantic and Pacific and wait for the enemy attack would just be inviting disaster and would contribute in no effective way to the defense of Canada.
1997
One by one the farming communities along the old Red River cart trail from Winnipeg to the 49th parallel were inundated with water as the crest of the rising river moved inexorably toward Winnipeg, Lake Winnipeg and Hudson's Bay beyond.
2006
So Queen Victoria rejected New Caledonia III. Instead, to designate her empire's holdings above the 49th parallel, she combined her favourite adjective British with the name already given to the main trading area to the south.
The Columbia District derived its name from the river that served as the main thoroughfare for trade. That river, in turn, had received its name from the American sea captain Robert Gray, in reference to his own ship, Columbia Rediviva.
Hence the origins of the name British Columbia are as much American as they are British.
2n. — in figurative use
the Canada-US border in general.
Type: 4. Culturally Significant — the expressions 'north of the 49th parallel' and
'south of the 49th parallel' have become synonymous with 'in Canada' and 'in the United States' (see also down south, meaning 2, for the latter). This figurative meaning is the most prevalent one today.
See: down south(meaning 2)
Quotations
1930
"While I would in no wise [sic!] speak disparagingly of the system of justice used south of the forty-ninth parallel, I think we in Ontario may be justly proud of the way in which our citizens are protected. At the same time, those who stray from the straight and narrow path are given a chance to find their place again in life and become useful members of society," said Mr. Macaulay.
1981
The fact is, though hardly anyone north of the forty-ninth parallel seems to recognize it, that Canadian counsel are collectively as gifted, colorful, funny, occasionally scurrilous and always crafty as their American counterparts. All they lack is high visibility.
1995
Blue Mule is a tight, polished quartet from Toronto who prove that bluegrass is alive and well north of the forty-ninth parallel. On Suits'n'Boots, they cover familiar bluegrass ground with good songs about the weather (Rain, Rain, Rain), prison (From This Pen) and the old home town (Current River).
1999
Another significant change was the move to four-on-four in overtime, with teams tied after regulation each getting a point.
Detroit was No. 1 overall and Toronto the top team in Canada as Christmas approached in an expanded NHL that put a team back in Atlanta for the first time since 1980. A lot of people above the 49th parallel still can't get used to an NHL club nicknamed Thrashers.
Well, fasten your helmets and get ready for the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild next season.
Where are all the players going to come from?
2012
Living south of the forty-ninth-parallel, I have to admit that on a regular basis, I am reminded of how lucky I am to be a Canadian. We have social systems in place that are the envy of many average Americans. There is something so real and understated about Canadians, as a people. We are not brash or boastful, generally. We appreciate the environment and genuinely show respect for one another in our daily interactions. We don't have to sing the national anthem loud and proud on repeat. We know who we are and we are content with this, it seems.
2014
NEW YORK -- There could be no mistake: The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra took Manhattan by storm one explosive note at a time, proving orchestras north of the 49th parallel can hold their own among the continent's top ensembles.
After three years of planning, the WSO finally delivered its bold, all-Canadian program (all composers in attendance) led by maestro Alexander Mickelthwate at New York City's historic Carnegie Hall.
References
- DA
- ITP Nelson
- COD-2
- Canadian Encyclopedia • "Oregon Treaty"
Images
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 9 May 2014
