What was known as the only official National Sport of Canada from 1859 to 1994?

In 1859 Lacrosse was named as the official National Sport of Canada.

In 1994, Parliament passed Canada’s National Sport Act, making lacrosse Canada's National Summer sport and hockey Canada's National Winter sport.

Lacrosse has been played in Canada since the 17th century by the people of the First Nations, often observed by the European settlers. The game was played by the people to show their gratitude to the Great Spirit, or sometimes called the Creator.

Each had their own name for the game, the Algonquin people called it Baggataway and Iroquois Nation called it Tewaarathon. In the 1800s, Montreal residents became interested in the game and would often play games against First Nations.

The ball was originally made from deerskin hide, but in the 1860's it was changed to a hard rubber. At the time a pamphlet outlining the rules, regulations and instruction of the game was given out by William George Beers, who was later known as the father of modern lacrosse.