Perhaps one reason for their generosity is that the people of Halifax are no strangers to tragedy. In 1917, two ships collided in Halifax harbour. One ship was carrying explosives destined for the war effort in Europe.

Over 1,900 people were killed immediately; within a year the figure had climbed well over 2,000. Around 9,000 more were injured, many permanently; 325 acres, almost all of north-end Halifax, were destroyed.

See http://www.region.halifax.ns.ca/community/explode.html

for more information.