2024 in 12 videos: Here are some of the top memories of the year
The Unknown Soldier, Bob Cole, jaw-dropping undersea wonders: they're all on our list
We've covered a lot of news this year, and a lot of special moments.
Showcasing Newfoundland and Labrador's stories is why we do it, and bringing our video coverage to you on demand — wherever you are in the world — is our way of staying connected.
As we take a look back at the past 12 months, here are 12 videos of our most memorable moments of the last year.
Enjoy.
1. The Ode atop Signal Hill
Bringing home Newfoundland's Unknown Soldier was a long time in the making. Two documentaries, which you can view here and here, brought us along for an in-depth journey into just how — and why — it all happened.
It all made for a special Memorial Day on July 1, when an unknown Newfoundlander was given his final resting place at the memorial, flanked by thousands of onlookers, military members and elected officials.
As a tribute, violinist Rowan Sherlock took to Signal Hill to perform the Ode to Newfoundland.
2. 100 years of the National War Memorial
Sticking with Memorial Day, it also marked the centennial year of the National War Memorial in downtown St. John's.
The historic site sits sandwiched between Water Street and Duckworth Street and is just a stone's throw from St. John's harbour where many of Newfoundland's soldiers would have taken their final steps on home soil before being shipped off to Europe — and never making it back.
The anniversary, paired with the repatriation Newfoundland's Unknown Solider, made for a significant day in old St. John's.
We were there with many cameras and brought you this video.
3. The 'Lucky 7'
Seven men aboard the Elite Navigator set off for a regular fishing trip in July from Bonavista Bay.
But a fire on board part way through that trip forced the men to abandon ship. Each crew member was able to make it into a life-raft, which would become their home as they drifted, and waited, for the next three days.
Their water supply was limited, warmth was a real concern and the raft kept floating farther and farther from land.
Fortunately for the crew, their final flare was able to catch the attention of a rescue helicopter on their third day adrift. And with a little help from the Canadian Coast Guard, the crew of seven were escorted home to a heroes' welcome in New-Wes-Valley.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador was there to capture the moment.
4. Shania's reunion
It was a big summer for music across Newfoundland and Labrador this year.
Festivals had successful runs marked with their own highlights.
But one stood out from the Churchill Park Music Festival.
The announcement of Shania Twain as the headlining act — not just for one, but for three consective nights in St. John's — set music fans ablaze with anticipation and excitement.
And, sure, the three shows met expectations. But it was a story from Twain's past, which she shared with her audience, that added to the special event.
CBC News brought you this story in August.
5. A Cape Ray mystery
One story that hung around for much of the year was that of a shipwreck that washed up on the shores of Cape Ray.
Experts ruled the mystery ship wasn't historically significant, but the people of Cape Ray say it meant a lot for their community.
They pulled on every oar to preserve the wreck before it was washed back out to sea or damaged further by the pounding surf.
CBC visited Cape Ray in February to get this look at the mystery ship.
6. Alone, and on top
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are no strangers to reality television or being in the outdoors. William Larkham Jr. of Happy Valley-Goose Bay paired both things in his effort to win the top prize on Alone — a wilderness survival reality show,
Oh, that top prize was $500,000 US.
Larkham Jr. survived 84 days near Inuvik in the Northwest Territories to become the season 11 winner.
7. Snakes on an island
This year, Tony Pottle put an argument to bed. Newfoundland does, indeed, have snakes.
What's more, they're breeding. The outdoorsman filmed living proof near Robinsons River on the island's west coast In June.
Pottle's short video, which he sent to CBC News, racked up a lot of views in its first few days.
Have a look for yourself.
8. The buzzer beater
And now to sports, which started the year with a big bang. In January, high school student Kyle Bridger did the near-impossible.
The O'Donel Patriots and Gonzaga Vikings were gripped in a nail-biter game. Down by one with only seconds remaining on the clock, the ball was put in Bridger's hand to throw up a Hail Mary.
It worked. The bucket landed.
Not only was the shot huge for the Patriots, but the video of the shot went viral online — amassing over a million views online.
Here's a look back at the big buzzer beater.
9. Goodbye, Bob
Staying with sports: Newfoundland and Labrador lost an icon this year. Bob Cole died in April, at 90.
Cole had spent more than half of his life calling hockey games for CBC — a true fixture of Saturday nights and Hockey Night in Canada.
His funeral was held at the St. Thomas Anglican Church in downtown St. John's in early May. Dozens of friends, family members and former colleagues packed the historic church to pay their respect to the man who was known as the voice of hockey.
Among them was Ron MacLean — a legendary hockey broadcaster in his own right, who shared some warm memories of Cole, and some funny ones, too.
10. From saw blades to ulus
One story that really resonated with viewers and readers this year involved Mina Campbell.
Campbell grew up watching her grandmother clean seal skins with an ulu — a knife traditionally used by Inuit women.
The COVID-19 pandemic left Campbell with a lot of time on her hands, and it spawned a new artistic passion.
She turns old saw blades into functional works of art. Our video was one of our most-watched of the year.
Take a look.
11. How about a new brewery?
In February, CBC travelled to Harbour Grace to visit a 130-year-old church.
Well, a former church. It isn't one anymore. It'll soon be a brewery, owned by Brenda O'Reilly who wanted to expand her popular St. John's-based YellowBelly brewery.
O'Reilly and her husband bought the church in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic sidelined things for a little while.
In addition to a brewery, O'Reilly told CBC News at the time the building will also house a spa and restaurant.
12. A coral garden
What has been described as a "once in a lifetime" coral garden exists off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.
It looks like something found in more tropical waters, but the 10,000-square-metre soft coral garden is just off the Funk Island deep marine refuge.
Emmeline Broad, a PhD candidate with the School of Ocean Technology took us through the scene this fall.
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