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
April 20 – The Rainmaker
Charles Mallory Hatfield, an American rainmaker, arrived in Medicine Hat on this day back in 1921.
- Today in Canadian History
April 19 – Black Loyalists During the American Revolution
The battles of Lexington of Concord sparked the American Revolutionary War on this date back in 1775. To learn more about the slaves who fought for the British…
- Today in Canadian History
April 15 – Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp is Liberated
British and Canadian troops liberated prisoners at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on April 15, 1945. To learn more about the legacy of holocaust…
- Today in Canadian History
April 14th – “Surplus Children”
We spoke with Kenneth Bagnell, the author of "The Little Immigrants: The Orphans Who Came to Canada".
- Today in Canadian History
April 13 – Grey Owl Passes
On this day back in 1938, the British-born conservationist Grey Owl passed away.
- Today in Canadian History
April 12 – The March of New Brunswick’s 104th
New Brunswick's 104th Foot Regiment arrived in Kingston on this date back in 1813. Their march from Fredericton covered over 1100km. To learn more we spoke to…
- Today in Canadian History
April 11 – Byng and Vimy Ridge
April 11, 1917 marked the third day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. We spoke with Dr. Patrick Brennan of the University of Calgary about the leadership of…
- Today in Canadian History
April 7 – The First Stamps
A Canadian postmaster issued a provisional stamp on this date back in 1851 - two weeks before the first Canadian stamps were issued to the public. To learn…
- Today in Canadian History
April 6 – Vancouver Incorporated as a City
Vancouver was incorporated as a city back in 1886. We spoke with civic historian John Atkin.
- Today in Canadian History
April 5 – The Ripple Rock Explosion
Over the years over 100 vessels and 100 people were victims of Ripple Rock. The underwater "mountain" that was Ripple Rock was blown-up on this day back in…
- Today in Canadian History
April 4 – E. H. Norman Takes His Own Life
Canadian diplomat and accused Soviet spy E. H. Norman jumped to his death from the roof of the Swedish Embassy in Cairo, Egypt on this day back in 1957. To…
- Today in Canadian History
April 1 – A Small Town Mayor and the First Offical Game of Curling
To learn about the story of a small town mayor in 1888, we spoke with Dr. Martin Raeb. To learn about the first game of curling we spoke with Dr. Anthony…
- Today in Canadian History
March 31 – Last Tot of Rum for Navy
Likely that some members of the Canadian Navy woke up with a hangover on this day back in 1972. The previous day they were served the last ration of rum.
- Today in Canadian History
March 30 – The Labrador Joins Newfoundland
On this day back in 1809, Labrador joined Newfoundland as a colony of the British Empire. To learn more about the history of Labrador, we spoke with author of…
- Today in Canadian History
March 29: Budge Crawley Wins Oscar
In 1976, F.R. "Budge" Crawley accepted an Academy Award for his film The Man Who Skied Down Everest. It was the first time a Canadian-made film received an…
- Today in Canadian History
March 24 – Black Canadians Granted the Right to Vote
On March 24, 1837 Black Canadians were granted the right to vote in elections. To learn more we spoke with Rosemary Saidler, the President of the Ontario Black…
- Today in Canadian History
March 23 – The Gazette Hits the Stands
The Halifax Gazette, Canada's first newspaper, is published for the first time back in 1752.
- Today in Canadian History
March 21 – The North West Company Merges with the Hudson’s Bay Company
On March 21, 1821 the North West Company was forced to merge with the Hudson's Bay Company. To learn more we spoke with Marty Mascarin, of the Fort William…
- Today in Canadian History
March 18 – The SS Beaver Arrived at the Pacific Coast
The SS Beaver, the first steamship to operate in the Pacific Northwest, arrived at the coast on this day back in 1836.
- Today in Canadian History
March 17 – Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Celebrated in Ireland, Canada and around the world. Have a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day!
- Today in Canadian History
March 16 – St. Urho’s Day
On March 16th Finnish Canadians gather to celebrate St. Urho's Day. To learn more I spoke with Dorothy Ahlgren, President of the Canadian Friends of Finland…
- Today in Canadian History
March 15 – King’s College Founded
King's College, later renamed University of Toronto, was founded by Royal Charter on this day back in 1827.
- Today in Canadian History
March 14 – The One Big Union is Formed
A vote to form The One Big Union occurred at a three day conference in Calgary during March of 1919. To learn more we spoke with Dr. Ken Coates a professor of…
- Today in Canadian History
March 11 – Richard Blanshard Arrives on Vancouver Island
The first governor of the Colony of Vancouver Island arrived on the island on this day back in 1850. To learn more we spoke with John Adams historian and…
- Today in Canadian History
March 9 – Arctic Winter Games
The first Arctic Winter Games were held in Yellowknife on this day back in 1970
- Today in Canadian History
March 8 – International Women's Day Edition (Extended)
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, we spoke with Dr. Mona Gleason of the University of British Columbia about the history of…
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
March 4 – Actor John Candy Passed
Canadian comedian and actor John Candy passed away on this day back in 1994.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
March 2 – Inuit Artist Jessie Oonark Passed
On this day back in 1985, artist Jessie Oonark passed away in Churchill.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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".
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
Feb. 23 – Matonabbee
Chipewyan leader Matonabbee set off with explorer Samuel Hearne to find the headwaters of the Coppermine River in 1770.
- Today in Canadian History
Feb. 9 – 1913 Meteor Procession
This rare event took Canadians by surprise back in 1913.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
Feb. 4 – Wreck of the Oil Tanker Arrow
The oil tanker Arrow went down off the coast of Nova Scotia.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
Feb. 2 – Wiarton Willie Festival
The Wiarton Willie Festival was founded back in 1956. One of the nation's most popular groundhogs.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
Jan. 24 – Japanese Canadian Internment
Discussion with Prof. W. Peter Ward about the internment of Japanese Canadians during WWII.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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.