Everything Toronto is doing 96 times or for 96 seconds to honour Queen Elizabeth II
Monday's National Day of Mourning, though not a holiday, will have a number of special rituals to honour the final burial of Queen Elizabeth II.
Since the Queen died at 96 years old, the city will being doing some strange traditions for 96 seconds, or even 96 times.
The Toronto Transit Commission is pausing all service on Monday at 1 p.m. for 96 seconds to as a tribute to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/c6mULhqcV8
— David Rider (@dmrider) September 14, 2022
On Sept. 19, city officials and staff will observe 96 seconds of silence at City Hall's Peace Garden. This garden and monument was actually dedicated by The Queen back in 1984.
The bell at Old City Hall tower will toll for an memorable 96 times, one per minute starting at 1 p.m. That means you will hear a bell every minute for a bit more than an hour and a half.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has also joined in the mourning, and will pause all vehicles at 1 p.m. for 96 seconds, which actually isn't a terribly bad delay considering the TTC's reputation.
As part of the @cityoftoronto National Day of Mourning events honouring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the #TTC will pause service for 96 seconds at 1 p.m. on Monday.
— TTC Media Relations 📰🚌🚋🚈 (@TTCNewsroom) September 14, 2022
Learn more at https://t.co/e70DQvtQJF pic.twitter.com/aoiMy6Gbuy
"The 'stop and stay' is part of the City of Toronto's coordinated tribute to Her Majesty on the day of her funeral, also a National Day of Mourning in Canada," read a release from the TTC.
Subway trains will be held at station platforms while bus and streetcar drivers will park their vehicles for the 96 seconds.
And finally, city ferries will also stop running for 96 seconds and blow their horns at the beginning and ending of the mourning period.
The Diocese of Toronto also confirmed the bells at Anglican churches will toll 96 times.
The Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square will be dimmed and the Princes' Gates at Exhibition Place will be illuminated in blue until Sept. 19.
Flags across all city-run facilities will be flown at half-mast until Sept. 19 and will continue to be lowered to honour fallen Toronto Police officer Cst. Andrew Hong.
