Today in Canadian History
212 episodes — Page 4 of 5
September 24 – Canada Lifts Sanctions Against South Africa
We spoke with Dr. Linda Freeman, a professor at the University of Carleton.
September 23 – Mack Sennett releases first film
Back in 1912 in New York, Quebec-born Mack Sennett releases his first Keystone Comedy film.
September 22 – Building named after Clara Brett Martin
Back in 1989, the Ontario provincial government (temporarily) names a building after Clara Brett Martin, the first woman lawyer in the British Empire.
September 21 – The Toonie is Unveiled to the Public
Brent Townsend is the the artist who designed the polar bear on the reverse of the Canadian two dollar coin.
September 20 – First signing of Treaty 5
Treaty 5 is signed for the first time at Berens River, Manitoba back in 1875.
September 17 – Fire on the SS Noronic kills over 115 people
Back in 1949, a fire on the ship kills over 115 people. The ship was docked on the shore of Lake Ontario.
September 16 – Construction begins on the Canso Causeway
Construction begins on this day back in 1952, connecting Cape Breton Island by road to Nova Scotia.
September 15 – “The Greenpeace” Sets Sail in 1971
Historian, ecologist and co-founder of Greenpeace International, Rex Weyler discusses the early days of Greenpeace.
September 14 – Dorothea Palmer arrested for distributing information on birth control
Back in 1936, Dorothea Palmer, was arrested in Ontario. Her eventual trial became a landmark case in the Canadian birth control movement.
September 13 – Laura Ingersoll is born
Laura Ingersoll, later known as Laura Secord, is born on this day back in 1775. She warned British forces of an American attack in 1813.
September 10 -1939 Canada Declares War on Germany
We spoke with associate professor Pat Brennan about how WWII built Canada as a nation.
September 9 – Alexander Graham Bell creation breaks marine speed record
In Nova Scotia back in 1919, a hydrofoil craft co-created by Alexander Graham Bell hits 114 kms an hour, breaking the record for speed on water.
September 8 – The Children of the Klondike
We spoke with historian and author Frances Backhouse about the birth of Dawson Klondike Schultz on Sept. 8, 1897 and the "Children of the Klondike"
September 7 – CBC Television Begins First Broadcast
We spoke with FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting spokesperson Ian Morrison about the launch of CBC Television.
September 6 – Launch of The Canadian Encyclopedia
Back in 1985, The Canadian Encyclopedia is released in Edmonton, Alberta.
September 2 – Celebrating the Discovery of the Wreckage of RMS Titanic
Members of a joint French-American expedition celebrate the discovery of the wreckage of Titanic, which they had found on Sept. 1, 1985
September 1 – Saskatchewan and Alberta become provinces (special edition!)
Back in 1905, Saskatchewan and Alberta officially become provinces.
August 31 – (First French Episode!) Opening of the Ouimetoscope Cinema.
In 1907, Leo-Ernest Ouimet opens the largest theater in North America exclusively dedicated to showing movies.
August 30 – Vicki Keith becomes the first person to swim across all 5 Great Lakes
Back in 1988, Canadian Vicki Keith stepped onto the shore of Lake Ontario and became the first person to swim across all five of the Great Lakes.
August 27 – The beginning of the first Canadian roadtrip by car
Back in 1912, Thomas Wilby and Jack Haney began their trip across Canada in a 1912 REO Special.
August 26 – Joseph Burr Tyrrell and the Canadian Dinosaur Rush
Joseph Burr Tyrrell passed away on this date in 1957. We spoke with the Royal Tyrrell Museum's Don Brinkman about Tyrrell and the beginning of the Canadian Dinosaur Rush.
August 25 – Donald Marshall Sr. Passes Away
Back in 1991, the grand chief of the Mikmaq passed away. He was a tireless advocate for aboriginal rights and justice issues.
August 24 – Execution of Canadian Soldiers During WWI
Back in 1916, Canadian soldier Benjamin DeFehr spent his last night in custody. Come dawn, he was shot and killed by a firing squad. He was 1 of 25 Canadian soldiers executed during WWI.
August 23 – 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.
August 20 – Eaton’s Goes Bankrupt
On this day back in 1999, it was announced that after nearly 130 years, the Eaton's department store was filing for bankruptcy protection.
August 19 – The Dieppe Raid of 1942
Canada suffered over 3000 casualties on the shores of Dieppe, France on this day in 1942.
August 18 – The Dempster Highway opens in the Yukon
Officially opened in 1979, the 730 km highway was the first Canadian highway to cross the Arctic Circle, linking southern Canada and Arctic Canada.
August 17 – First successful sailing of the Northwest Passage
In 1988, Canadians Jeff MacInnis and Mike Beedell successfully sail through the passage on their boat, Perception. They are the first individuals to successfully sail the passage by wind power.
August 16 – Gold Deposits are Discovered in 1896, Sparking the Klondike Gold Rush
We spoke with Charlotte Gray, a Chair of Canada's History Society as well as author of Gold Diggers: Striking it rich in the Klondike about Dawson City, Yukon at the height of the rush.
August 13 – Jacques Cartier "Discovers" the St. Lawrence River
We spoke with author and Professor at the University of Guelph, Alan Gordon, about Cartier and his 1535 "discovery".
August 12 – Hockey Legend Hayley Wickenheiser is Born
In 1978, five time Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser is born.
August 11 – Revolutionary Canadian artificial heart to be manufactured and marketed
Back in 1993, University of Ottawa Heart Institute researchers announce plans to manufacture and market the world's first permanent artificial heart. Known as the Electrohydraulic Ventricular Assist Device (EVAD), the artificial heart could be implanted entirely in the body and was the first of its kind. We spoke with Dr. Tofy Mussivand.
August 10 – Canadian Bill of Rights Enacted in 1960
We spoke with Linda McKay-Panos, the Executive Director of the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre, about the Canadian Bill of Rights.
August 9 – Wayne Gretzky is Traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings
Dr. David Mills discusses Wayne Gretzky's 1988 Trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings.
August 6 – 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.
August 5 – Sir Humphrey Gilbert Claims Part of Newfoundland for Britain
We spoke with historian Josh Tavenor about Sir Humphrey Gilbert's 1583 claim of the land surrounding what is now St. John's, Newfoundland.
August 4 – Fire breaks-out in the Library of Parliament
Back in 1952, fire damages Canada's Library of Parliament.
August 3 – William Avery Bishop is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
World War I flying ace "Billy" Bishop is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for service.
July 30 – Mark Tewskbury Wins Gold
We spoke with Mark Tewskbury about his gold medal win at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
July 29 – James Shaver Woodsworth was born
Back in 1874, social activist and first leader of the CCF, J.S. Woodsworth was born.
July 28 – R.B. Bennett’s Conservative Party wins the 1930 election
John Boyko, the Dean of History and Social Science at Lakefield School in Ontario, as well as author of "Bennett: The Rebel Who Challenged and Changed a Nation" discusses the legacy of Prime Minister R.B. Bennett.
July 27 – Insulin isolated at the U of T
Fredrick Banting and Charles Best isolate insulin from the pancreas of a dog. With the help of JJR Macleod and James Collip, the group would go on to treat human sufferers of diabetes.
July 26 – French surrender Louisbourg
Back in 1758, French forces surrendered the Fortress of Louisbourg after a 7 week siege by the British.
July 23 – 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.
July 22 – Alexander Mackenzie Reaches the Pacific
Back in 1793, Alexander Mackenzie and company reach the Pacific Ocean, Mackenzie makes mark.
July 21 – Marshall McLuhan’s Birthday
We spoke with Terrence Gordon, the author of four books about Marshall McLuhan, including a biography and most recently McLuhan: A Guide for the Perplexed. He has also edited new editions of four of McLuhan's works.
July 20 – 19th Century Worker Bees
Dr. Catharine Wilson discusses Ontario's 19th Century Worker Bees (not that kind of bee). Dr. Wilson's research on worker bee's is funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
July 19 – The 1976 Montreal Olympics
Paul Charles Howell, author and key player in the Montreal Olympic Organizing Committee discusses the legacy of the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
July 15 – Canada officially takes control of Rupert’s Land
Back on July 15th, 1870, Canada officially takes control of the area known as Rupert's Land. The Hudson's Bay Company was originally granted the land 200 years earlier, back in 1670.
July 14 – The Death Penalty is Abolished in Canada
Robert J. Hoshowsky author of "The Last to Die: Ronald Turpin, Arthur Lucas, and the End of Capital Punishment in Canada" discusses the end of the death penalty in Canada.