Moments in Time is a visually stunning timeline game. Test your knowledge of history and your deductive skills with this chronological card game! Each moment in time is illustrated by an item in the McGill Library collections. Players must try to place their event cards at the correct moment in time.
Credits
Published by McGill University Library and Archives.
Card Design: Bianca Tri
Box Design: Bianca Tri and Greg Houston
Research and card text: Sam Pappas and Jacquelyn Sundberg
Project lead: Jacquelyn Sundberg
Text, Photography, and Design © McGill Library and Archives 2022. All images created by Greg Houston and the McGill Library digitization lab.
This work was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Availability
On-site: Sales in the Rare Books and Special Collections reading room. Payment by Debit or Credit.
By phone - Call us at 514-398-4711 or email your order to rarebooks.library [at] mcgill.ca (rarebooks[dot]library[at]mcgill[dot]ca), payment by Credit card over the phone.
Click below to explore the interactive timeline of game cards and events online:
Research Process
The Moments in Time card game was developed by a team of archivists, librarians, graphic designers, and students at McGill University. They worked together to research and curate a list of notable events in world history and match them with items within the ROAAr collections.
Researchers first identified recognizable events and created a chronological outline of the game by investigating and determining clear dates for each event. These events and related aspects were then researched within the ROAAr collections, where they were connected to records that represent the chosen events. The final product is a visually stunning, educational game that showcases remarkable items in the collection through identification with significant events.
This research was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Item List
Alice in Wonderland is published
Alice's adventures in Wonderland: and Through the looking-glass. Lewis Carroll, 1954. 246 page book, with the original engravings by John Tenniel. Children's Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item in catalog.
Basketball is invented
The first basketball team of the Royal Victoria College. 1909. Photograph. Photo Collection: McGill University Archives (PR001128).
Birds of America published
Birds of America. John James Audubon, 1981. 650 pages of colour illustrations depicting different American bird, accompanied by descriptions by the National Audubon Society. Blacker-Wood Rare Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item in catalog.
Book of Longing by Leonard Cohen is published
Impression from Leonard Cohen woodblock engraving. George Walker, 2021. Woodblock engraving depicting Leonard Cohen and a verse from his Book of Longing. Book Arts Lab: Rare Books and Special Collections. Uncatalogued.
Canadian conscription in WWII
Il faut exporter. Souscrivons à l'emprunt de la victoire. Arthur Keelor, undated. 91.3 x 60.9 cm poster advocating the conscription of Canadian soldiers to the First World War. Canadian War Poster Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
Crossword is invented
The Macdonald Journal Vol. 50-51 No. 3: Summer 1989. Macdonald College: McGill University Archives. See item in catalog.
Cuneiform script is developed
Assyrian Medical Tablet. Kisir-Ashur, son of Nabu-tuklat-su (former owner), [700 BCE]. Baked soft clay tablet, 250 g and 58 mm deep. Extract from a longer medical treatise written in Akkadian cuneiform. Roberston Collection: Osler Library of the History of Medicine. See item in catalog.
DNA structure is Identified
The McGill Daily Vol. 79 No. 063: February 2, 1990. McGill University, Daily Publications Society. Special science edition of student newspaper. McGill University Archives. See item.
Emancipation Proclamation is issued
The First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation Before the Cabinet. Francis Bicknell Carpenter, 1863. Hand-coloured engraving by Alexander Hay Ritchie of original painting. Joe Nathanson Collection of Lincolniana: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
Ernest Rutherford's Nobel Prize
1. Photograph of a sketch by Ralph Godard Mathews of Ernest Rutherford in laboratory. Ralph Godard Mathews, 1907. Photograph of a pencil sketch. Photo Collection: McGill University Archives (PR001026).
2. Ernest Rutherford at work in his McGill University laboratory. 1907. Photograph. Photo Collection: McGill University Archives (PR014246).
Fedora is invented
Brodie Tailoring Company Catalogue Autumn 1929 - Winter 1930. Brodie Tailoring Company. Catalogue containing illustrations of men's hats for sale. Commercial Catalog Collection, Rare Books and Special Collections. Uncatalogued.
First Canadian National Park
Banff Avenue showing Cascade Mountain, Banff, Alberta. Valentine & Sons United Publishing Co., undated. Illustrated postcard. Topographical Postcard Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections.
First eyeglasses invented
Spectacles kit. [1696]. Eyeglasses contained in a case engraved with Christian Bible passages. Artifacts Collection: Osler Library of the History of Medicine. Uncatalogued.
First female professor in Canada
1. Carrie Derick, Professor of Botany, McGill University. William Notman (Photographer), 1890. Graduation photograph. Photo Collection: McGill University Archives (PR014514).
2. Figure I: Purple-flowering raspberry. Carrie Derick, undated. Sketch. Carrie Derick Fonds: McGill University Archives (MG 4279).
First modern Olympics
Programme des jeux olympics. Comité Olympique Français, 1924. Program advertising Olympic games. Rare Books and Special Collections. Uncatalogued.
First Quebec Referendum
Conference to Defend the Rights of the Quebec Nation. The Student Circles of the Workers Communist Party, [1960-1969]. Schedule of events for conference regarding the Quebec Referendum. McGill University Archives, MG 4319 (4319-02-114). See item in archival catalog.
First recording of the Gita
Bhagavadgītā in Sarada script. [18th Century]. Indic MS 36, detailing the worship of Krishna as Vishnu. Rare Books and Special Collections. See item in catalog.
First successful organ transplant
Tabula anatomica Leonardo da Vinci summi quondam pictoris e bibliotheca Augustissimi Magnae Britanniae Hannoveraeque Regis depromta, venerem obversam e legibus naturae hominibus solam convenire, Ostendens. Leonardo da Vinci, 1830. 4 unnumbered pages and 1 plate measuring 33 cm. Osler Room Collection: Osler Library of the History of Medicine. See item.
First U.S. patent for gelatin
Knox gelatine: desserts, salads, candies and frozen dishes. Charles B. Knox Gelatine Co., 1933. 71 page recipe book with colour illustrations. Cookbook Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
Formation of the Group of Seven
Georgian Bay. Arthur Lismer, 1931. Oil on canvas, 101 x 120cm. Gift of A. Sidney Dawes. McGill Visual Arts Collection, 1966-003.
Formation of the NHL
Old McGill 1917 Yearbook. McGill University. 232 page yearbook. McGill University Archives. See item.
Franklin's lost expedition departed
1. The child's coloured juvenile picture and reading book. Dean & Son, [1857]. 12 page chapbook with short stories and 9 handcoloured woodcuts. Sheila R. Bourke Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
2. Narrative of a journey to the shores of the Polar Sea, in the years 1819, 20, 21, and 22. John Franklin, 1823. 482 pages, containing 4 folded maps and colour portraits. Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
Introduction of contraceptive pill
Ortho 1 birth control lapel pin. Johnson & Johnson, undated. Lapel pin with life-size replica of Ortho 1 birth control pill. Osler Library of the History of Medicine. Uncatalogued.
Introduction of hard football helmet
C.I.R.F.U. Champions cap. 1906. Red velvet football championship hat, with embroidered text and McGill crest. McGill University Archives, MG 4319 (4319-06-017). See item.
Jacques Cartier Bridge is completed
1. The McGill News v.11 1929-1930. Graduates Society of McGill University. 310 page newsbook. Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
2. The superstructure of Montreal harbour bridge over the St. Lawrence River. Dominion Bridge Company, 1930. Cover of publicity booklet. Rare Books and Special Collections. Uncatalogued 0466. See item.
Jigsaw puzzle is invented
McGill Redpath Library 1000 pc Puzzle. A. Leslie Perry (illustrator), 1924. A sketch of the former Redpath Library from the Old McGill Yearbook, divided into 1000 puzzle pieces. Ex Libris Collection: McGill University Archives.
Knitting machine is invented
1. Catalogue No. 101 of the World's Best Family Knitting Machines. Creelman Brothers, 1919. Catalogue selling "Money Maker" series of knitting machines. Commercial Catalog Collection. Rare Books and Special Collections. Uncatalogued.
2. McGill sweater. [1940s]. Cream-coloured knit cardigan for members of Scarlet Key Society. McGill University Archives, MG 4319 (4319-06-022). See item.
Language of flowers is developed
Language of flowers. Kate Greenaway, [1884]. 80 page colour illustrated work. Sheila R. Bourke Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
Letter J is introduced
Clichés & gravures v. 1. Fonderies Deberny & Peignot, 1912. Two volume collection of typescripts and engravings. Colgate Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
Margarine is invented
Margene recipe book. Brenda York, [195-?]. 40 page illustrated booklet, 13 x 22 cm. Cookbook Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
Medical forceps are invented
Obstetrical instruments. William Wright (owner), [1848]. Collection of obstetrical instruments in velvet-lined leather kit, including forceps. Artifacts Collection: Osler Library of the History of Medicine. Uncatalogued.
Model of heliocentrism
Dialogo di Galileo Galilei ... Dove ne i congressi di quattro giornate si discorre sopra i due massimi sistemi del mondo Tolemaico, e Copernicano. Galilei Galileo, 1710. 458 page manuscript with 81 pages of diagrams. Measures 24 cm. Osler Room Collection: Osler Library of the History of Medicine. See item.
Montreal Expo
1. Ile Ste. Hélène 2. Meredith F. Dixon, 1967. Aerial photograph of Ile Ste-Hélène's eastern end (facing towards the south). Blackader-Lauterman Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
2. USSR & USA Pavilions. Meredith F. Dixon, 1967. Photograph of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Pavilion (background) across from the United States of America Pavilion (foreground). Blackader-Lauterman Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
Montreal Sun Life building is completed
1. A reproduction of a hand drawing of the proposal for a major extension of the Sun Life Building. Hugh Griffith-Jones, [1926]. Black and white illustration. John Bland Canadian Architecture Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
2. A charcoal drawing of the proposal for the Canadian National Railway Central Station by Hugh Griffith Jones and John J. Woods. Hugh Griffith-Jones, [1930]. Black and white charcoal illustration. John Bland Canadian Architecture Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
Mount Vesuvius erupts
Supplement to Campi Phlegraei : being an account of the great eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the month of August 1779. Sir William Hamilton and Mr. Peter Fabris, 1779. Five illustrated plates coloured after nature. Rare Books and Special Collections. See item in catalog.
Movable type is invented
Columbian printing press. 1821. Heavily ornamented American iron hand-press. Book Arts Lab: Rare Books & Special Collections.
Newfoundland joins Canada
Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. J. Rapkin, [1851]. Engraved map of the Maritimes, illustrating local seals and cultural monuments of the area. Map Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
Nuremberg Chronicle is published
Registrum hujus operis libri cronicarum cū figuris et ijmagibus ab inicio mūdi. Hartmann Schedel, 1493. Collection of 299 illustrated pages, measuring 47 cm. Commonly known as the Nuremberg Chronicle. Osler Room Collection: Osler Library of the History of Medicine. See item.
Oldest Canadian University is founded
Mémoires de l'Academie royale de chirurgie. Academie royale de chirurgie, 1774. 15 illustrated volumes on surgery practices. Osler Room Collection: Osler Library of the History of Medicine. See item.
On the Origin of Species is published
1. Charles Robert Darwin, the Naturalist. John Henry Walker, 1882. Engraving of sketch by James Lovell Wiseman, photographed and distributed in the Canadian Illustrated News, vol. XXV. Rare Books and Special Collections. Uncatalogued.
2. Man, filming galapagos tortoises at the Darwin Research Station, Isla Santa Cruz. 1968. Photograph. Photo Collection: McGill University Archives (PR013415).
Opticks by Isaac Newton is published
Opticks, or, A treatise of the reflexions, refractions, inflexions and colours of light: also two treatises of the species and magnitude of curvilinear figures. Isaac Newton, 1704. McGill MS 46, Newton's own copy of his manuscript with extensive notes and corrections. 213 pages, 25 x 21 cm. Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
Paper from trees is invented
1. Les transformations du papier et du carton. Edition de la revue "Papyrus", 1926. Illustrated book about the art and machines of papermaking. Rare Books and Special Collections. See item. See item.
2. Chinese painting. John C. Ferguson, 1927. Illustrated book about painting throughout Chinese history. Blackader-Lauterman Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
Ptolemy's world map is published
Géographie de Ptolémée : reproduction photolithographique du manuscrit grec du monastére de Vatopédi au Mont Athos. Ptolemy, 1867. Photolithographic reproduction of Greek manuscript. Rare Books and Special Collections. See item.
Same-sex marriage legal in Canada
The McGill Daily Vol. 72 No. 066: February 14, 1983. McGill University, Daily Publications Society. Lesbian & Gay Special Issue of Student Newspaper. McGill University Archives. See item.
Smallpox vaccine is developed
The recent smallpox epidemic in Montreal - vaccinating American-bound passengers on a train of the Grand Trunk Railway. James Marvin, 1885. Photo-mechanical reproduction of a wood engraving showing a doctor vaccinating a woman on a train. Prints Collection: Osler Library of the History of Medicine. See item.
Stethoscope is Invented
1. Laennec. Auguste Corlieu, 1896. Photo-mechanical reproduction of a sketch of René Théophile Hyacinthe Laënnec. Prints Collection: Osler Library of the History of Medicine. See item.
2. Stethoscopes. [1830s]. Collection of 3 wooden monaural Laënnec stethoscopes of various sizes. Artifacts Collection: Osler Library of the History of Medicine. Uncatalogued.
Telephone switchboard is invented
Laminated photographs. 2021. Collection of five laminated and mounted photographs depicting switchboard operators at McGill University in the 1950s-60s. McGill University Archives.
Telescope is invented
The wonders of the telescope: or, a display of the wonders of the heavens and of the system of the universe. London: William Darton, 1823. Children's book detailing views of the telescope. Children's Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See item in catalog.
Transcanada Railway is contracted
1. Souvenir pamphlet commemorating "Opening of Canadian Pacific Railway from sea to sea". Canada Bank Note Co., 1886. Pamplet depicting the railway and major figures in its development. Photo Collection: McGill University Archives (PR041653).
2. The Canadian Railroader Weekly Vol. 8 No. 4: December 1924. Fifth Sunday Meeting Association of Canada. Illustrated periodical, 26-30 cm. Rare Books and Special Collections.
Tuberculosis is identified
How the Department of Health of the city of New York is fighting tuberculosis: prepared for the International Congress on Tuberculosis, Washington, D.C., Sept. 21 to Oct. 12, 1908. New York Department of Health, Hermann M. Biggs. A 134 page scrapbook containing numerous items of stationary regarding the campaign against tuberculosis in New York City. Robertson Collection: Osler Library of the History of Medicine. See item.
United States typhoid epidemic
Typhoid postcard. 1927. Illustrated postcard with poem warning of contaminated water, and an anthropomorphized microbe within a graveyard. Topographical Postcard Collection, Box 8. Rare Books and Special Collections.
Voltaire's Candide is published
1. Candide en Dannemarc, ou, L'optimisme des honnêtes gens. Charles-Claude-Florent de Thorel de Campigneulles, 1767. An immitation and sequel to Voltaire's Candide. J. Patrick Lee Voltaire Collection: Rare Books and Special Collections. See Item.
2. Candide, ou, L'optimisme; Micromégas; Jeannot et Colin. Voltaire, [1931]. Illustrated by Mario Laboccetta, rebound covers containing 246 leaves and colour prints. Rare Books and Special Collections. See Item.
Zoetrope is invented
"Wheel of Life" zoetrope. London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, 19th century. Animation device as well as photo strip depicting the Fish and Fowl. Rare Books and Special Collections. Uncatalogued.