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Dionne quintuplet returns to birth home after 2 decades

Surrounded by children, one of the two surviving Dionne quintuplets walked through the door of the house she was born in for the first time in decades as a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the national historic significance of their birth.

All 5 were taken from their parents by government, generating $500M for the province

The Canadian Press ·
Surviving Dionne quintuplet Annette Dionne, right, returned to the log cabin where she and her sisters were born for a ceremony marking their birth as an event of national historic significance. Cecile Dionne, left, could not attend due to health issues. (Canadian Press)

Surrounded by children, one of the two surviving Dionne quintuplets walked through the door of the house she was born in for the first time in decades.

A plaque was unveiled to commemorate the national historic significance of the birth of the quintuplets during a ceremony Sunday in North Bay, Ont.

Annette Dionne says she was honoured to attend the ceremony and to see so many people still interested in the quintuplets' story. Cecile Dionne, the other surviving sibling, was not able to attend the ceremony due to health issues.

The Dionnes became international sensations after they were born on May 28, 1934, as they were the only known quintuplets at the time to survive for more than a few days.

To the world, the birth on May 28, 1934 of quintuplets to Elzire and Oliva Dionne of Callander, Ontario, was a miracle, an event so incredible few belived the initial news report flashed around the globe. Once the birth was confirmed however, the quintuplets became one of the most sensational news events in history. The five baby girls are shown during a photo session during their first year. (Canadian Press)

More than 1,000 people attended the ceremony and had the opportunity to take pictures with Dionne and visit the house, which was brought to North Bay in 1985 and turned into a museum. 

Nipissing--Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota said the historic designation provides an opportunity to connect with the past and that he encourages Canadians to learn more about the Dionne quintuplets place in history.

All five sisters were taken from their parents by the Ontario government and were turned into a tourist attraction for the first nine years of their lives, bringing in about $500 million to the province.

By the 1990s, three surviving Dionne sisters received a $4 million settlement from the province after they alleged the
government mismanaged a trust fund Ontario created for them.

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