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Today in Canadian History

Today in Canadian History

212 episodes — Page 2 of 5

March 7 – The Montreal Shamrocks

The Montreal Shamrocks won the Stanley Cup on this day back in 1900. To learn more we spoke with Dr. Matthew Barlow of John Abbott College.

Mar 7, 20265 min

March 4 – Actor John Candy Passed

Canadian comedian and actor John Candy passed away on this day back in 1994.

Mar 4, 20264 min

March 3 – First Official Indoor Game of Hockey

McGill University students participated in the first official game of indoor ice hockey on this day back in Montreal in 1875.

Mar 3, 20266 min

March 2 – Inuit Artist Jessie Oonark Passed

On this day back in 1985, artist Jessie Oonark passed away in Churchill.

Mar 2, 20263 min

Highlight – The Mad Trapper is Killed

After a manhunt that lasted over one month, the man known only as "The Mad Trapper" is killed in Canada's North.

Feb 28, 202614 min

Feb. 28 – Alex Janvier and the "Indian Group of Seven"

Acclaimed Canadian painter Alex Janvier was born on this date back in 1935. To learn more we spoke with the Manager of the Alex Janvier Art Gallery in Cold Lake, Alberta.

Feb 28, 20264 min

Jan. 27 – The Original Bluenose's Last Day

The original Bluenose spent it's last day sailing above water. The famous schooner went down off coast of Haiti in 1946.

Feb 27, 20268 min

Feb. 24 – Martha Louise Munger is Born

Martha Louise Munger, the second woman ever elected to Canadian Parliament, was born. We spoke with Frances Backhouse, author of "Women of the Klondike".

Feb 24, 20268 min

Feb. 22 – Remembering the War of 1812

The Battle of Ogdensburg occurred on this day back in 1813. To learn more about the legacy of the war of 1812, we spoke with Mark Zuehlke, Canadian Historian and author of "For Honor's Sake: The War of 1812 and the Brokering of an Uneasy Peace".

Feb 22, 20265 min

Feb. 18 – The Battle of Paardeburg

To learn more about the Second Boer War and the Battle of Paardeburg we spoke with Professor Emeritus at Mcgill University as well as author of "Canada's Little War: Fighting for the British Empire in Southern Africa 1899-1902" Dr. Carman Miller.

Feb 18, 20267 min

Feb. 17 – The Mad Trapper is Killed

After a manhunt that lasted over one month, the man known only as "The Mad Trapper" is killed in Canada's North.

Feb 17, 202614 min

Feb. 16 – Citizenship Special

We attended a citizenship ceremony on February 15th, 2011 to speak with Citizenship Judge Joan May Way and some new Canadians.

Feb 16, 20269 min

Feb. 15 – The Great Upheaval

To learn more about the expulsion of Acadians from Canada's maritime provinces, we spoke with the Senior Editor of Canada’s History Magazine, Nelle Oosterom.

Feb 15, 20269 min

Feb. 14 – The Asbestos Strike of 1949

Workers at a mine in Asbestos Que., walked off the job on this day back in 1949 triggering a violent four month strike. To learn more about the strike and its impact on the Quiet Revolution I spoke with Dr. Damien-Claude Bélanger of the Université d’Ottawa and author of "Prejudice and Pride: Canadian Intellectuals Confront the United States, 1891-1945".

Feb 14, 20267 min

Feb. 11 – Patrick James Whelan executed

Patrick James Whelan was executed on this day back in 1869 for the assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee.

Feb 11, 202612 min

Feb. 10 – War Brides Arrive in 1946

The first ship carrying almost 400 war brides from England arrived in Halifax on this day back in 1946. To learn more, we spoke with Melynda Jarratt author of "War Brides : The Stories of the Women Who Left Everything Behind to Follow the Men They Loved".

Feb 10, 20267 min

Feb. 23 – Matonabbee

Chipewyan leader Matonabbee set off with explorer Samuel Hearne to find the headwaters of the Coppermine River in 1770.

Feb 9, 20267 min

Feb. 9 – 1913 Meteor Procession

This rare event took Canadians by surprise back in 1913.

Feb 9, 20266 min

Feb. 8 – The Aroostook War

Posses of Canadian and American lumber workers clashed over the definition of the New Brunswick-Maine border at the outset of the Aroostook War. To learn more I spoke with Patrick Michaud of Fort Ingall.

Feb 8, 20266 min

Feb. 7 – First War Artists Commissioned

Canada became the first nation in the world to officially commission war artists on this day back in 1918. To learn more we spoke with Dr. Laura Brandon, a historian of war and art at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

Feb 7, 20264 min

Feb. 4 – Wreck of the Oil Tanker Arrow

The oil tanker Arrow went down off the coast of Nova Scotia.

Feb 4, 20266 min

Feb. 3 – Pierre Trudeau Tours Cuba

On a 12-day tour of Latin America in 1976, Prime Minister Trudeau met with Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro. To learn more we spoke with, Nino Ricci, author of "Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliot Trudeau."

Feb 3, 20269 min

Feb. 2 – Wiarton Willie Festival

The Wiarton Willie Festival was founded back in 1956. One of the nation's most popular groundhogs.

Feb 2, 20266 min

Feb. 1 – The North West Mounted Police Becomes the RCMP.

On this day back in 1920 the The North West Mounted Police merged with the Dominion Police to become the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. To learn more about the history of the NWMP we spoke with Dawn Lauder, the Site Manager of the Fort Museum in Fort McLeod, Alberta.

Feb 1, 20264 min

Jan. 31 – The Real James Bond, Sir William Stephenson Passes Away

Ian Fleming once claimed Sir William Stephenson to be the inspiration for James Bond. Stephenson passed away on this day back in 1989. To learn more we spoke with Gary Solar, President of the Intrepid Society.

Jan 31, 20266 min

Jan. 28 – Women Get the Vote

On January 28th Manitoba became the first province to grant women the right to vote. This was in so small part due to the efforts of suffragette Nellie McClung. To learn more, we spoke with Bette Meuller of the Nellie McClung Society.

Jan 28, 20267 min

Jan. 26 – Dr. Wilder Penfield is Born

Neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield was born on this day back in 1891. To learn more we spoke with Dr. William Feindel who worked with Dr. Penfield at the Montreal Neurological Institute back in the 1950s.

Jan 26, 20268 min

Jan. 25 – Lucy Maud Montgomery in Ontario

Did you know that Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote most of her books while living in the town of Leaskdale, Ontario? To learn more we spoke to Barbara Pratt of the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario.

Jan 25, 20266 min

Jan. 24 – Japanese Canadian Internment

Discussion with Prof. W. Peter Ward about the internment of Japanese Canadians during WWII.

Jan 24, 202611 min

Jan. 21 – The 1910 Spanish River Train Wreck

Over 40 people perished when train derailed west of Sudbury. In terms of fatalities, fourth worst in Canadian history.

Jan 21, 20265 min

Jan. 20 – Doukhobors Arrive in Halifax

Over 2000 Doukhobors arrived in Halifax on this date back in 1899. To learn more we spoke with Professor Julie Rak of the University of Alberta.

Jan 20, 20268 min

Jan. 19 – The Jets Leave Winnipeg

The NHL approved the sale of the Winnipeg Jets to investors in Phoenix on this date back in 1996. To learn more, we spoke with professor Jim Silver: author of "Thin Ice: Money, Politics, and the Demise of an NHL Franchise".

Jan 19, 20267 min

Jan. 18 – Canadian Content Rules Come into Effect

We spoke with FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting's Ian Morrison on the anniversary of the CRTC's new Canadian Content rules coming into effect back in 1971.

Jan 18, 20267 min

Jan. 17 – Jacques Plante and Facial Protection in Hockey

To learn more about the introduction of head and facial protection in hockey we spoke with Dr. Bob Pashby on anniversary of NHL goalie Jacques Plante.

Jan 17, 20266 min

Jan. 13 – Major Gustave Biéler is Arrested by the Gestapo

We spoke with Major Gustave Biéler's daughter Jacqueline Bieler, on the anniversary of his 1944 arrest while aiding the French Resistance in WWII.

Jan 13, 202610 min

Jan. 11 – John A. Macdonald is Born pt. 2 of 2

In part two, we discuss Sir John A. Macdonald: the man, with Richard J. Gwyn author of "John A, The Man Who Made Us".

Jan 11, 20269 min

Jan 10 – John A. Macdonald is Born pt. 1 of 2

In part one, we discuss the impact Sir John A. Macdonald had on shaping Canada with Richard J. Gwyn author of "John A, The Man Who Made Us".

Jan 10, 20268 min

Jan. 7 – Hank Snow Performs at the Grand Ole Opry

Canadian country music star Hank Snow performs at the Grand Ole Opry......and nobody likes him.

Jan 7, 202610 min

Jan. 6 – Brother André Bessette Passes Away

Later known as Saint André Bessette, Brother André of Montreal died on this day back in 1937.

Jan 6, 20267 min

Jan 4 – Canadian Artist Pegi Nicol MacLeod is Born

We spoke with I spoke with Dr. Laura Brandon, a historian of Art and War at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa as well as author of "Pegi by Herself: the life of Pegi Nicol MacLeod, Canadian artist".

Jan 4, 20265 min

Jan. 3 – “How the Scots Invented Canada”

Ken MacGoogan author of "How the Scots Invented Canada" spoke to us on the anniversary of the arrival of 300 immigrants from the Scottish Highlands on this day in 1802.

Jan 3, 20268 min

Highlight – Viola Desmond is physically removed from theatre

In 1946, Viola Desmond was forcibly removed from a theatre in New Glasgow, NS for refusing to move from whites-only section.

Jan 2, 202613 min

Happy New Year - British Troops Prepare to Burn Washington

In 1814 British Troops descend upon Washington DC, prepared to capture the American capital. We spoke with historian and author Mark Zuehlke about the Burning of Washington and the War of 1812.

Jan 1, 20266 min

Highlight – The Disappearance of Tom Thomson

Roy MacGregor, author of "Canoe Lake" discusses the disappearance of the now-famous Canadian painter back in 1917.

Dec 30, 20257 min

Highlight – Macdonald and The Double Shuffle

Back in 1858 in the Province of Canada, the Cartier/Macdonald ministry pull the "The Double Shuffle", avoiding a by-election and staying in power.

Dec 29, 202514 min

Highlight – The Komagata Maru Leaves Vancouver

On July 23, 1914 a steamship filled with passengers from India, The Komagata Maru, was turned away from Canadian shores. We spoke with Dr. Hugh Johnston on the incident and its legacy.

Dec 26, 20257 min

Highlight – “The Greenpeace” Sets Sail in 1971

Historian, ecologist and co-founder of Greenpeace International, Rex Weyler discusses the early days of Greenpeace.

Dec 25, 20258 min

Highlight – No. 2 Construction Battalion

The creation of the first all-Black Canadian battalion in WWI.

Dec 24, 20259 min

Highlight – The October Crisis Ends

British Trade Commissioner James Cross was released by members of the FLQ on this date back in 1970. We spoke with Professor William Tetley, a member of the Quebec Provincial Cabinet at the time of the crisis as well as author of "The October Crisis, 1970: An Insider's View".

Dec 23, 202510 min

Highlight – Tommy Douglas was born

Happy Tommy Douglas Day! Tommy Douglas was born on this day in 1904. To learn more about Tommy Douglas, we spoke with C. Stuart Houston, an historian and author of "Tommy's Team : the People Behind the Douglas Years". Dr. Houston is a professor emeritus of the university of Saskatchewan, and an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Dec 22, 20255 min