Placentia Bay facts for kids
Placentia Bay is a large bay on the southeast coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Its name in French is Baie de Plaisance. The bay is shaped by two peninsulas: the Burin Peninsula on the west and the Avalon Peninsula on the east.
Long before European explorers arrived, Indigenous peoples used the rich fishing grounds in Placentia Bay. In the 16th century, European fishermen began to visit the bay. For a period, the French controlled this area. They even built their main settlement, called Placentia, on the bay's eastern side.
History of Placentia Bay
Early European Control
The French held control of Placentia Bay for many years. Their capital, Placentia, was an important center for fishing and trade. However, in 1713, the British took control of Placentia. This happened as part of the Treaty of Utrecht, a major peace agreement.
After the British took over, more English settlers moved into the bay area. Today, some of the main towns in Placentia Bay include Burin, Marystown, and Placentia. The old town of Placentia and nearby Castle Hill are now protected as national historic sites. They help us remember the bay's important past.
World War II Meeting in Placentia Bay
Placentia Bay played a secret and very important role during World War II. On August 14, 1941, a special meeting took place at the US Naval Station Argentia. This base is located in a smaller part of the bay called Little Placentia Sound.
This meeting was called the Atlantic Conference. It was the first time that Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, the President of the United States, met face-to-face since they both took office. They discussed important plans for the war and created a document called the Atlantic Charter. This charter outlined their goals for a peaceful world after the war.
Later that year, after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and the United States joined World War II, Churchill and Roosevelt met again. This time, Churchill traveled to the White House in Washington, D.C. These meetings were crucial for planning how the Allies would work together to win the war.
