Lincoln Alexander Day is a National Day of Recognition held every January 21 to honour one of Hamilton’s most historic and distinguished figures.
Lincoln Alexander was a leading figure in the fight for racial equity in Canada. The first Black Canadian member of Parliament (1968), Cabinet minister (1979) and lieutenant-governor (Ontario, 1985), he advocated for the equal treatment of black Canadians.
A trailblazer in his own right, the Honourable Lincoln MacCauley Alexander was born in Toronto. Years later, he would eventually become Canada’s first Black Member of Parliament, Cabinet minister and Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
“The story of Lincoln Alexander’s life is one of the countless many that highlight the positive impact that Black and Afro-descendant communities have made and continue to make towards building the country that we love today.”
In recognition of his many important accomplishments, January 21st has been celebrated as Lincoln Alexander Day across Canada since 2015.