Angus L. Macdonald

Born on August 10th, 1890 in Dunvegan, Nova Scotia, Angus L. Macdonald was a World War I veteran and a professor with a doctorate from Harvard Law School. He won the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia’s first leadership convention in 1930. Macdonald became the Premier of Nova Scotia in 1933 when elected in the riding of Halifax South.

On July 12th, 1940 Macdonald was named Minister of National Defence for Naval Services. He stayed in this position until World War II ended in 1945. Upon returning to Nova Scotia in 1945 he resumed his position as leader of the Liberal Party and the Liberals swept back into power.

The government continued to move forward. The first education department was created, and new projects such as the bridge between Halifax and Dartmouth and the Canso Causeway to link Cape Breton to Mainland Nova Scotia were undertaken.

While presiding at the official project-commencement ceremonies for the Canso Causeway, Angus L. Macdonald stated that one hundred pipers would march across the Causeway on opening day while playing “The Road To The Isles”. His prediction became legendary when Angus L. Macdonald passed away April 13th, 1954; and became reality on August 13, 1955 at the official opening of the Canso Causeway.