What’s in a Name? Berlin to Kitchener in 1916!

On September 1, 1916, the city of Berlin Ontario changed its name to Kitchener in a controversial referendum and vote. It was preceded by a year of tumultuous events as this predominantly German city came to grips with the liability of its name and growing anti-German sentiments during World War One. Take a walk through Victoria Park (Willow River Park) and downtown Kitchener to explore a controversy over names and a park statue. Though this may sound like current events, but this walk travels over 100 years ago in local history to Berlin/Kitchener during World War One.Learn about vandalism, unruly soldiers, rioting, and two divisive votes over the city’s name. Find out why a minister was bloodied, a beloved landmark burned, and how Germany’s Kaiser made a ‘splash’ in the park!  URL:https://explorewaterloo.ca/event/whats-in-a-name-berlin-to-kitchener-in-1916-2/