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
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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".
- Today in Canadian History
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".
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
Jan. 6 – Brother André Bessette Passes Away
Later known as Saint André Bessette, Brother André of Montreal died on this day back in 1937.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
Today in Canadian HistoryHighlight – 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
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.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
Highlight – No. 2 Construction Battalion
The creation of the first all-Black Canadian battalion in WWI.
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
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…
- Today in Canadian History
Highlight – The Great Winnipeg Gold Robbery of 1966
Kenneth "The Gentleman Bandit" Leishman stole nearly $400 000 worth of Gold bullion from the Winnipeg International Airport on this date back in 1966. To learn…
- Today in Canadian History
Highlight – Saskatchewan and Alberta become provinces
Back in 1905, Saskatchewan and Alberta officially become provinces.
- Today in Canadian History
Highlight – 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.
- Today in Canadian History
Dec. 9 – Camp X
We discuss Camp X, the secret spy camp based on the shores of Lake Ontario during WWII.
- Today in Canadian History
Dec. 8 – The Battle of Hong Kong and its Aftermath
The Battle of Hong Kong began on this day back in 1941. To learn more we spoke with historian and author of "The Damned: The Canadians at the Battle of Hong…
- Today in Canadian History
Dec. 7 – The Battle of Montgomery_s Tavern
We spoke to Janet Schwartz, the Museum Coordinator at Toronto's Mackenzie House to learn more about the Battle and the Upper Canada Rebellion.
- Today in Canadian History
December 6 – The Halifax Explosion
The explosion was caused when two ships collided in the Halifax Harbour back in 1917.
- Today in Canadian History
December 3 – 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…
- Today in Canadian History
Dec. 2 – Writer Robertson Davies Passes Away
Author Robertson Davies passed away on this day in 1995 at the age of 82. To learn more we spoke with author of "Robertson Davies: an Appreciation" Elspeth…
- Today in Canadian History
Dec. 1 – James Naismith and Basketball
Back in 1891, Canadian Dr. James Naismith worked on creating the game of basketball.
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 30 – General Arthur Currie Passes Away
To learn more about the first Canadian General of of the Canadian Corps, we spoke with Dr. Tim Cook author of "The Madman and the Butcher: The Sensational Wars…
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 26 – The NHL is Founded in 1917
We spoke with hockey historian Eric Zweig about the earliest days of the National Hockey League.
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 25 – Happy Birthday, Banff!
The federal government set aside land for park back in 1885. (Orig. aired in 2010)
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 24 – The Canadian Northern Railway is Completed to Edmonton
To learn more about the railway that challenged the monopoly of the CPR, we spoke with Les Kozma, a Member of the Canadian Northern Society.
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 23 – HMS Tribune Sinks
The British ship sinks in the Halifax harbour back in 1797.
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 22 – Artist Jack Shadbolt Passes
Back in 1998, Canadian modern art icon Jack Shadbolt passed away at the age of 89
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 19 – René Lévesque Forms the Mouvement Souveraineté-Association
René Lévesque formed the Mouvement Souveraineté-Association on this date back in 1967. To learn more about Lévesque we spoke with Megan Durnford, author of…
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 18 – Introduction of Standard Time
To learn more about the introduction of Standard Time and the Canadian who proposed it, Sandford Fleming we spoke with author and Officer of the Order of…
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 17 – The 1999 Marshall Decision and Fishing Rights
We spoke with Dr. William Wicken, an associate professor at York University as well as author of "Mi'kmaq Treaties on Trial: History, Land and Donald Marshall…
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 15 – Ned Hanlan becomes world champion
Back in 1880, Edward "Ned" Hanlan defeated E.A. Trichett of Australia for the world singles rowing championship.
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 10 – The Edmund Fitzgerald goes down
Back in 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior.
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 9 – The First Game of Football
The first documented game of football was played at the University of Toronto on this day back in 1861. To learn more about the history of football in Canada I…
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 8 – 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.
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 5 – First CBC broadcast of official time signal
Back in 1939, CBC first broadcasts the NRC (then Dominion Observatory) official time signal.
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 4 – Inventor George Klein Passes Away
We spoke with Dick Bourgeois-Doyle, author of George J. Klein: the great inventor about this amazing Canadian's life and approximately 1500 inventions.
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 3 – The story of Danylo Shumuk
This political prisoner arrived in Canada after being imprisoned for 42 years.
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 2 – Compensation for sterilization victims
Back in 1999, Alberta government announced that it would compensate 242 people who had been sterilized under the Sexual Sterilization Act.
- Today in Canadian History
Nov. 1 – Hungarian Immigrants in Canada
Dr. Royden Loewen of the University of Winnipeg explains to us the difference between the waves of immigrants coming to Canada from Hungary.
- Today in Canadian History
March 25 – The Aroostook War Take II
The agreement which ended the crisis at the Maine/New Brunswick border was signed on this day back in 1839. To learn more we spoke with historian and author of…
- Today in Canadian History
Mar. 1 – The Great Winnipeg Gold Robbery of 1966
Kenneth "The Gentleman Bandit" Leishman stole nearly $400 000 worth of Gold bullion from the Winnipeg International Airport on this date back in 1966. To learn…
- Today in Canadian History
Jan. 5 – The Montreal Canadiens Play their First Game at Home
The Montreal Canadiens played their first game at Home on this day back in 1910. To learn more, we spoke with Dr. Matthew Barlow from the Department of…