Shows / Today in Canadian History
Today in Canadian History
Each episode of Today in Canadian History contains an interview with a Canadian professor, journalist, author, or “everyday” historian and focuses on a unique event or moment that took place on that day in Canadian history. Today in Canadian History presents Canada’s past in a unique and accessible manner. The series is designed to be a first step to learning more about our past. We would like to remind Canadians not just about what makes our country great, but what makes…
Episodes
- Today in Canadian History
October 29 – The Great Depression
We spoke with University of Calgary Professor Dr. Patrick Brennan about Canada during the Great Depression.
- Today in Canadian History
October 28 – William Hall is awarded the VC
William Hall is awarded the Victoria Cross in 1859.
- Today in Canadian History
October 27 – The National Council of Women of Canada is Founded
The National Council of Women of Canada is Founded in 1893.
- Today in Canadian History
October 25 – Leslie McFarlane is Born
The original author of the Hardy Boys mystery series is born back in 1902.
- Today in Canadian History
October 22 – Louis Riel is Born
To learn more about Riel we spoke with Director of the Saint-Boniface Museum in Winnipeg, Philippe Mailhot.
- Today in Canadian History
October 20 – 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…
- Today in Canadian History
October 19 – St. Albans Raid
The St. Alban's Raid took place on this day back in 1864.
- Today in Canadian History
October 18 - The Famous Five
On this day back in 1929, women became "persons". Guest host, Jennie Palmer.
- Today in Canadian History
October 15 – Chinese Rail Workers and the CPR
We spoke with Brad Lee, the curator of The Ties That Bind, an online historical research project that works to recognize the contributions of the Chinese…
- Today in Canadian History
October 14 – SS Caribou sunk by German submarine
The passenger ferry was sunk off the coast of Nova Scotia back in 1942.
- Today in Canadian History
October 13 – Anniversary of the Canadian Navy
Back in 1910, an Imperial Order in Council transferred the Naval Station at Halifax to the Canadian Government.
- Today in Canadian History
October 12 – Sam Hughes and General Arthur Currie
We spoke with Tim Cook, historian with the Canadian War Museum and author of The Madman and the Butcher: The Sensational Wars of Sam Hughes and General Arthur…
- Today in Canadian History
October 8 – Multiculturalism Policies Introduced
The first ever policies regarding multiculturalism were announced on this date back in 1971.
- Today in Canadian History
October 7 – First concert of the NAC Orchestra
Back in 1969, 46 nervous and excited performers stepped onstage at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
- Today in Canadian History
October 6 – Radio station opens in Aklavik, NWT
Back in 1925, station opens in Aklavik, NWT as part of the North West Territories and Yukon Radio System.
- Today in Canadian History
October 5 – Laurie Skreslet becomes first Canadian to climb Everest
Back in 1982, Laurie Skreslet became the first Canadian to reach the top of Mount Everest. Canadian Pat Morrow followed only days later.
- Today in Canadian History
October 4 – Pianist Glenn Gould dies
Glenn Gould passed away on this day back in 1982. He was 50.
- Today in Canadian History
October 1 – Artist Paul Kane returns to Toronto
The famous Canadian painter returns to Toronto after more than two years in the West.
- Today in Canadian History
September 30 – Arctic explorer John Rae is born
John Rae is born in Scotland on this day back in 1813.
- Today in Canadian History
September 29 – The Aloutte 1
We spoke with astronaut Robert Thirsk: the Canadian who has spent the most time in space.
- Today in Canadian History
September 28 – Pierre Elliot Trudeau Passes Away
Historian and author John English discusses the legacy of Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau.
- Today in Canadian History
September 27 – Stanley Park opened in Vancouver
Park opened to public for the first time back in 1888.
- Today in Canadian History
September 24 – Canada Lifts Sanctions Against South Africa
We spoke with Dr. Linda Freeman, a professor at the University of Carleton.
- Today in Canadian History
September 23 – Mack Sennett releases first film
Back in 1912 in New York, Quebec-born Mack Sennett releases his first Keystone Comedy film.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
September 20 – First signing of Treaty 5
Treaty 5 is signed for the first time at Berens River, Manitoba back in 1875.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
September 15 – “The Greenpeace” Sets Sail in 1971
Historian, ecologist and co-founder of Greenpeace International, Rex Weyler discusses the early days of Greenpeace.
- Today in Canadian History
Highlight – “The Greenpeace” Sets Sail in 1971
Historian, ecologist and co-founder of Greenpeace International, Rex Weyler discusses the early days of Greenpeace.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
September 10 -1939 Canada Declares War on Germany
We spoke with associate professor Pat Brennan about how WWII built Canada as a nation.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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"
- Today in Canadian History
September 7 – CBC Television Begins First Broadcast
We spoke with FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting spokesperson Ian Morrison about the launch of CBC Television.
- Today in Canadian History
September 6 – Launch of The Canadian Encyclopedia
Back in 1985, The Canadian Encyclopedia is released in Edmonton, Alberta.
- Today in Canadian History
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
- Today in Canadian History
September 1 – Saskatchewan and Alberta become provinces (special edition!)
Back in 1905, Saskatchewan and Alberta officially become provinces.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
August 19 – The Dieppe Raid of 1942
Canada suffered over 3000 casualties on the shores of Dieppe, France on this day in 1942.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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".
- Today in Canadian History
August 12 – Hockey Legend Hayley Wickenheiser is Born
In 1978, five time Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser is born.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
August 4 – Fire breaks-out in the Library of Parliament
Back in 1952, fire damages Canada's Library of Parliament.