The great Father of Confederation George Brown was born on this date in 1818 in Scotland. Leader of the Reformers in Canada West (what would become Ontario), he was the famed editor and founder of the Globe newspaper. While an avid foe of his rival John A. Macdonald of Kingston, Brown was able to put aside this animosity and rise to the nation-building occasion when Canada needed it most. Their Great Coalition paved the path towards Confederation and it is right and proper that Canadians celebrate Brown on through today. Happy birthday George!