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
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.
- Today in Canadian History
July 29 – James Shaver Woodsworth was born
Back in 1874, social activist and first leader of the CCF, J.S. Woodsworth was born.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
July 26 – French surrender Louisbourg
Back in 1758, French forces surrendered the Fortress of Louisbourg after a 7 week siege by the British.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
July 22 – Alexander Mackenzie Reaches the Pacific
Back in 1793, Alexander Mackenzie and company reach the Pacific Ocean, Mackenzie makes mark.
- Today in Canadian History
July 30 – Mark Tewskbury Wins Gold
We spoke with Mark Tewskbury about his gold medal win at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
July 12 – Pierre Berton’s Birthday
Canadian Pierre Berton was born on July 12, 1920.
- Today in Canadian History
July 9 – First Chuckwagon Race
The first official chuckwagon race takes place in Calgary back in 1923.
Today in Canadian HistoryJuly 8 – The Disappearance of Tom Thomson
Roy MacGregor, author of "Canoe Lake" discusses the disappearance of the now-famous Canadian painter back in 1917.
- Today in Canadian History
July 7 – Norman Bethune
July 7th, 1937 was a big day for Dr. Norman Bethune. Larry Hannant explains...
- Today in Canadian History
July 6 – Birth of George “Chief” Armstrong
Professor David Mills discusses the career and significance of Canadian professional hockey player George Edward "Chief" Armstrong
- Today in Canadian History
July 5 – No. 2 Construction Battalion
The creation of the first all-Black Canadian battalion in WWI.
- Today in Canadian History
July 2 – The Battle of the Somme
Christine Leppard discusses Canada's involvement in The Battle of the Somme.
- Today in Canadian History
July 1 - Canada Day!
Dr. Matthew Barlow discusses the historical significance of Canada Day. Happy Canada Day everyone!
- Today in Canadian History
June 30 – The Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Immigration Act was passed on this day back in 1923. To learn more we spoke with Britt Braaten, the Curator and Manager of the Multicultural…
- Today in Canadian History
June 29 – Thoroughbred Horse Racing in Canada
Queen Elizabeth II was in Toronto to attend the 99th annual Queen's Plate at Woodbine. To learn more we spoke with Louis Cauz, the Managing Director at the…
- Today in Canadian History
June 28 – Chinese Canadians and the Prairie West
Dr. Royden Loewen of the University of Winnipeg spoke to us about the stories of Yee Clun of Regina and Rosie's Restaurant in Calgary. Dr. Loewen is the…
- Today in Canadian History
June 27 – O Canada Officially Adopted
In 1980, the National Anthem Act was adopted by Parliament.
- Today in Canadian History
June 24 – 1968 Saint-Jean Baptiste Day
Today is La Fête nationale du Québec. To learn more about the infamous 1968 Saint-Jean Baptiste Day we spoke with official Pierre Elliot Trudeau biographer and…
- Today in Canadian History
June 22 – Dief the Chief Becomes Prime Minister
We spoke with Dr. Michael Atkinson, the Executive Director of the Diefenbaker Canada Centre at the University of Saskatchewan to learn more about Diefenbaker's…
- Today in Canadian History
June 20 – National Library of Canada Opens
Lester B. Pearson opened the Canadian institution in Ottawa in 1967.
- Today in Canadian History
June 17 – Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Lunenburg's first church service was held by settlers on this day back in 1753.
- Today in Canadian History
June 16 – Saskatchewan Wakes up to a Socialist Government
The Saskatchewan branch of the CCF defeated the Liberals in an election on June 15, 1944, making Tommy Douglas Premier. To learn more we spoke with C. Stuart…
- Today in Canadian History
June 15 – Herman ‘Jackrabbit’ Smith-Johannsen
The ski pioneer was born on this day back in 1875 in Norway. We spoke with his grandson, Peter Austin.
- Today in Canadian History
June 14 – Province of Canada’s First Parliament
Back in 1841, preparations were being made in Kingston for the first parliament, held June 15th.
- Today in Canadian History
June 13 – The Last Fatal Duel
Upper Canada's last fatal duel happened on June 13, 1833 in Perth, Ontario. To learn more we spoke with John Fowler, the Chair of the Perth Historical Society.
- Today in Canadian History
June 9 – The Politics of The Great Depression
RB Bennett and Mackenzie King sparred while the 1930 election loomed. We spoke with John Boyko, the Dean of History and Social Science at Lakefield School in…
- Today in Canadian History
June 8 – Mackenzie King Becomes Longest Serving PM
We spoke with Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer an Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of History at St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo, as well as…
- Today in Canadian History
June 6 – D-Day
We spoke with Dr. Desmond Morton on the anniversary of the Allies launching the invasion of Normandy back in 1944.
- Today in Canadian History
June 3 – Newfoundland Referendum of 1948
For more than a decade the dominion of Newfoundland was governed by a non-elected Commission of Government. We spoke with Keith Collier, a freelance writer and…
- Today in Canadian History
June 2 – Stan Rogers Passes
Musician Stan Rogers passed away on this day back in 1983.
- Today in Canadian History
June 1 – The Cypress HIlls Massacre
The Cypress Hills Massacre occurred on this date back in 1873. We spoke with Royce E. W. Pettyjohn of Fort Walsh & Cypress Hills Massacre National Historic…
- Today in Canadian History
May 31 – Ernest Manning
Ernest Manning was appointed Premier of Alberta on this date back in 1943.
- Today in Canadian History
May 30 – Neal Beaumont is Born
Canadian football all-star and world record holder Neal Beaumont discusses what the CFL was like back in the 1960s as well as the play that got him in the…
- Today in Canadian History
May 27 - Algonquin Park is Established
Algonquin Park became Canada's first provincial park back in 1893.
- Today in Canadian History
May 26 – The Avrocar or “Flying Saucer”
Canadian aerospace manufacturer Avro was hard at work building a "Flying Saucer" for the US Airforce. To learn more we spoke Shirley Render, the executive…
- Today in Canadian History
May 25 – Battle of Eccles Hill
Fenians attacked Quebec on this day back in 1870. To learn more we spoke with Alan Rowe, an instructor at Keyano College.
- Today in Canadian History
May 24 – Tommy Chong is Born
Tommy Chong talks about his days as a young musician in Western Canada in the post-WWII era as well as what it was like being a young Canadian signed to Motown…
- Today in Canadian History
May 19 – Parks Canada’s Anniversary.
This episode was originally produced to air on the 100th anniversary of the founding of Parks Canada.
- Today in Canadian History
May 18 – Fire in Montreal
Fire struck Montreal back in 1765. We spoke with Tyler Wood, of Centre d'histoire de Montréal about fires in Montreal.
- Today in Canadian History
May 17 – The Vickers Vedette
On this day back in 1929, Colin Jack Caldwell became the first Canadian to save his life by parachute when he jumped out of a Vickers Vedette over Montreal on…
- Today in Canadian History
May 13 – Roch Carrier is Born
We spoke with Canadian arts advocate and author of "The Hockey Sweater" who was born on this date back in 1937.
- Today in Canadian History
May 12 – Farley Mowat is Born
Iconic Canadian writer Farley Mowat was born on this day back in 1921. We spoke with Leanne Allison director of "Finding Farley" to learn more about her…
- Today in Canadian History
May 11 – The West End Gang
We spoke with D’Arcy O’Connor, author of “Montreal’s Irish Mafia: The True Story of the Infamous West End Gang.”
- Today in Canadian History
May 10 – The Legacy of Batoche
The battle of Batoche was raging on this day back in in 1885. To learn more about the legacy of the battle in the history of Canada's Metis peoples we spoke…
- Today in Canadian History
May 9 – The Chocolate Bar War
Back in 1947, children across Canada organized and protested the rising cost of chocolate bars.
- Today in Canadian History
May 6 – North America’s first Pesticide Ban
The town of Hudson, Quebec passed North America's first ban of the non-essential use of Pesticides on this date back in 1991. To learn more, we spoke with…
- Today in Canadian History
May 4 – Law and Order in the Klondike
The first of many American prospectors heading north to the Klondike passed through what is now Stewart, British Columbia on this day back in 1898. To learn…
- Today in Canadian History
May 3 – Stampede Wrestling
Stu Hart, founder of Stampede Wrestling was born on May 3, 1915. To learn more we spoke with Heath McCoy, author of "Pain and Passion: the History of Stampede…
- Today in Canadian History
April 29 – The Frank Slide
An estimated 70 people perished when the side of Turtle Mountain buried part of Frank, Alberta.
- Today in Canadian History
April 28 – Expo 67 Opens
Expo 67 was a showcase for Canada's cool side. We spoke with Dr. Bryan Palmer author of "Canada's 1960's: The Ironies of Identity in a Rebellious Era" about…
- Today in Canadian History
April 27 – The Sacking of York
York was sacked by American forces during the War of 1812 on this day back in 1813.