Shows / Curious Canadian History
Curious Canadian History
Historian David Borys dives deep into the fascinating world of Canadian history in this bi-weekly podcast exploring everything from the wonderful to the weird to the downright dark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- Curious Canadian History
Summer Reboot - Trumps First Tariff War
This is a reboot from an episode we did back in season 10 when President Donal Trump was first elected and completely upended the economic relationship with…
Curious Canadian HistorySummer Reboot - The VWC and the 1970 Abortion Caravan
Our summer reboot takes us to 1970 when the Vancouver Women's Caucus heads to Ottawa to protest Canada's changing but still restricted laws on abortion. Hosted…
Curious Canadian HistorySummer Reboot - The Upper Canadian Militia and the Defence of Canada
A summer reboot series looking at the challenges of mustering the militia in Upper Canada when British North America was threatened by American invasions…
Curious Canadian HistorySummer Reboot - La Famille Verendrye and the Exploration of the North American Continent
The Verendrye family played a crucial role in expanding French knowledge of western North America during the eighteenth century. Led by Pierre Gaultier de…
Curious Canadian HistorySummer Reboot - The Pig War of 1859
Even though Season 11 has officially ended we still have a few summer gems for you listeners. For this episode of our Summer Reboot series we go back to the…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E22 Canada's Pacific Station - A History of Esquimalt Naval Harbour Part 2
Picture a quiet harbour on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Calm waters. Towering forests. It seems peaceful enough—but beneath that surface lies a story…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E21 Canada's Pacific Station - A History of Esquimalt Naval Harbour Part 1
Picture a quiet harbour on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Calm waters. Towering forests. It seems peaceful enough—but beneath that surface lies a story…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E20 The Fight for Valour: Jess LaRochelle and the Campaign for Canada's Victoria Cross
In October of 2006 Jess Larochelle from Ontario was guarding an observation post near the Afghanistan village of Pashmul when dozens of Taliban insurgents…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E19 Moe Norman: A Canadian Golf Legend
Moe Norman was a Canadian golf legend widely regarded as one of the greatest ball strikers in golf history. Born in Kitchener, Ontario, in 1929, Norman became…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E18 The 'LGBT Purge' and the Limits of Forgiveness
The Canadian government has a long history of regulation, exploitation, and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and two-spirit (LGBTQ2)…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E17 John A. Macdonald Part 2
John A. Macdonald stands as one of the most influential and controversial figures in Canadian history, a political architect whose vision helped bring a nation…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E16 - John A. Macdonald Part 1
John A. Macdonald stands as one of the most influential and controversial figures in Canadian history, a political architect whose vision helped bring a nation…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E15 - Prince Edward Island Joins Canada
Prince Edward Island is often imagined as a quiet, pastoral place—rolling fields, red sand beaches, and small communities shaped by the rhythms of the sea. But…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E14 Battle Series: D-Day Phase One vs. the Battle of the Scheldt
In this CCH special episode, we bring together two expert historians for a gripping confrontation of perspectives, examining—and challenging—the significance…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E13 Red River Reflection: The Myth of François Guilmette
In the heart of the Red River Settlement, a vibrant Métis community forged a distinct identity shaped by kinship, trade, and resistance. The latter half of the…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E12 Rise and Rise Again - The Life and Times of Mary Ann Shadd Cary
Born free in a slaveholding nation and unafraid to confront it, Mary Ann Shadd Cary carved out a life defined by intellect, defiance, and relentless public…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E11 The Frontier Regime of New France under Louis XIV
In the 17th century, across an ocean and a continent, the will of Louis XIV stretched deep into New France. This episode examines how an absolutist monarchy…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E10 Canair Relief and the Nigerian Civil War
The Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) produced widespread famine, particularly in Biafra, prompting an unprecedented humanitarian response from abroad. Canadian…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E9 The Liberation of Bergen Belsen
Names like Auschwitz, Dachau, and Bergen Belsen immediately bring to mind the horrors of the Nazi concentration camp system. At the liberation of Bergen Belsen…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E8 Curious Canadian History presents: Canadian Time Machine | The Furry Gold of Canada: The Beaver’s 50-Year Legacy
In this episode, we step back in time with the Canadian Time Machine podcast to explore the 50th anniversary of the beaver becoming an official national…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E7 Cigarette Nation: The History of Cigarettes in Canada
Cigarette smoking in Canada is a fascinating look at how consumer products, social rituals, and corporate misinformation interact. While widespread cigarette…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E6 Letters from the Frontier – The Jesuit Relations and Old World Understandings of New France
The Jesuit Relations, a series of annual reports produced between 1632 and 1673 detailing the experiences of Society of Jesus missionaries in what is now…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E5 Canada at War with Angus Wallace
Recently our very own David Borys had the pleasure of having a long chat with Angus Wallace of The WW2 Podcast to explore Canada's military legacy from…
- Curious Canadian History
"Remembrance in their Own Words" a CDA Institute Remembrance Day Series
Our very own David Borys was flattered when recently he was made a fellow at the CDA (Conference of Defence Associations) Institute, Canada's leading think…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E4 Internment to Exile: The Japanese-Canadian War Experience
During the course of the Second World War nearly 22,000 Japanese-Canadians were uprooted and forcible interned by the government of Canada. More than half of…
Curious Canadian HistorySpecial Episode - The Good Allies - Rest in Peace Tim Cook
On October 26th news broke of the passing of Canadian historian Tim Cook. Tim was a leading voice in the field of Canadian military history and the chief…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E3 Unceded Territory and Land Rights in British Columbia
In British Columbia, land acknowledgements often refer to “unceded territory.” Yet many people remain uncertain about the history behind these words or their…
Curious Canadian HistoryThe Conflict and Culture Podcast S1E3 - The Sacred Band of Thebes
The Sacred Band of Thebes was an elite military unit of 300 highly trained heavy infantry soldiers (hoplites), famously composed of 150 pairs of male lovers…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E2 Buying Bombs: Defence Procurement in Canada
What is it called when the Canadian Armed Forces go about purchasing something? It’s called procurement. While most Canadians probably understand that the CAF…
Curious Canadian HistoryThe Conflict and Culture Podcast - S1E2 Comic Books and the Second World War
Illustration has been an integral part of human history. Particularly before the advent of media such as photography, film, television, and now the Internet…
Curious Canadian HistoryS11E1 Canadian Punk Rock Takes Over the World
After punk found commercial success in the ’90s, with bands like Green Day, the Offspring, and Blink-182, a new wave of punk bands emerged, each embodying the…
- Curious Canadian History
*Brand New Podcast* The Conflict and Culture Podcast Ep1 - The Myth of the Clean Wehrmacht
David Borys has started a brand new podcast and we here at CCH are bringing you its very first episode. The Conflict and Culture Podcast explores everything…
- Curious Canadian History
Season 11 Episode 1 coming September 23rd!!
While the summer may be coming to an end it's not all bad news because Curious Canadian History is coming back for Season 11! The first episode airs September…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E22 The Birth of the Canadian Flag
Surprise! We here at CCH decided to drop a special final episode for Season 10. The Canadian flag is iconic. In almost all parts of the globe people recognize…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E21 Unpacking the Baggage: The 2025 Federal Election
The 2025 Federal Election was one of the most dynamic and issue-filled elections to have occurred since the 1980s. Threats to Canadian sovereignty, an…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E20 The Trans-Canada Highway: A Nation Connected
The Trans-Canada highway is such a part of the everyday Canadian experience that we often take this lengthy route for granted. Across this country many…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E19 War Criminals in Canada: A Canadian Cover Up?
In 2024 Jared McBride, Professor at UCLA, conducted a research methodology class with his students. As Jared is an expert on war crimes they investigated war…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E18 - Canada's Titanic: The Sinking of the Empress of Ireland
The St. Lawrence River can turn treacherous in a second. What was just a moment ago clear sailing can suddenly into dangerous fog and almost no visibility. In…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E17 The Frank Slide - A Town Buried Under Rock
The town of Frank, Alberta is tucked into the bosom of Turtle Mountain which sits in the beautiful Crows Pass of the majestic Rocky Mountains. In the early…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E16 Punching Above Our Weight: The Canadian Military at War Since 1867
Today we are changing things up! Several months ago David published his newest book titled Punching Above Our Weight: The Canadian Military at War Since 1867…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E15 - The Beatles in Canada with Terry O'Reilly
The Beatles are one of the most influential bands in the history of popular music. When they arrived in North America in the early 1960s, they forever changed…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E14 A Border of Blood and Dirt: Part 2
While Canada is in the midst of immense economic uncertainty as a result of Donald Trump’s wildly unpredictable tariff threats, the border is continuously…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E13 - A Border of Blood and Dirt: Part 1
Since the election of Donald Trump, one of the most frequently discussed issues has been that of the Canadian-American border. President Trump has labelled…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E12 Trump's Tariff War
You cannot turn on the news right now without hearing about President Donald Trump’s threat to apply a 25% tariff to Canadian goods. While his claim that our…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E11 - Mackenzie King: The Spiritualist Prime Minister
William Lyon Mackenzie King was Canada's longest-serving Prime Minister, from 1922 to 1930 and from 1935 to 1948. Historians have ranked him as Canada's…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E10 - Canadian History Ehx does Godspell
For today's episode we've done something a little different. Craig Baird is a friend and fellow podcaster over at the great Canadian history podcast Canadian…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E9 - Jackie Robinson in Montreal
It is impossible to deny the legendary status that Jackie Robinson has had in the game of baseball. There have been movies, songs, poetry, books and essays…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E8 - The Voyage of the Damned - The MS St. Louis, Canada and the Holocaust
On the 7th of June 1939 a ship sailed for Cuba, on board were 907 Jewish refugees fleeing the violent antisemitic state that had become Nazi Germany. When…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E7 - Canadian Time Machine Presents Lucy Maud Montgomery
November 30, 2024 marks 150 years since Lucy Maud Montgomery’s birth, and her legacy continues to endure. Best known for Anne of Green Gables, Montgomery…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E6 - The Group of 7
The Group of 7 are some of the most iconic and well-known Canadian painters in the history of Canadian art. While forming on the heels of the First World War…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E5 - Canadian Partisans in World War Two Yugoslavia
Across Axis occupied Europe a shadow war raged as numerous resistance groups in all occupied countries sought to dismantle or disrupt the Axis forces…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E4 - The Life and Times of Emily Carr
When one thinks of an iconic Canadian painter one does not have to go through many names before thinking of Emily Carr. And if one is looking for an…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E3 CANCON and Canadian Music
All around the world today there are people who listen to music made by Canadians. Most of us are familiar with Drake and Justin Bieber but long before those…
Curious Canadian History**The New Book is Out**
Punching Above Our Weight: The Canadian Military at War Since 1867 is officially out! Check out this photograph-rich single volume history of Canada's military…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E2 - Canadians in the Battle of Britain
For 113 terrifying days in 1940, Nazi Germany’s air force, the Luftwaffe, threw everything it had at Great Britain in hopes of early victory in World War II…
Curious Canadian HistorySpecial Episode 3 - Punching Above Our Weight - Pre-purchase available now!!
Our very own David Borys has a new book coming out in September titled “Punching Above Our Weight: The Canadian Military at War Since 1867” published by…
Curious Canadian HistoryS10E1 - The Oak Ridge Experiment
Welcome back to Season 10!! In the first episode of the newest season we take you to Penetanguishene, Ontario along the shores of Georgian Bay where once…
Curious Canadian HistorySpecial Episode 2 - Punching Above Our Weight
**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – NEW BOOK** Our very own David Borys has a new book coming out in September titled “Punching Above Our Weight: The Canadian Military at…
Curious Canadian HistoryNEW BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT - Punching Above Our Weight
**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – NEW BOOK** Our very own David Borys has a new book coming out in September titled “Punching Above Our Weight: The Canadian Military at…
Curious Canadian HistoryS9E21 - Prophet of Destruction - Agent A12, Winthrop Bell
Imagine you are a maritime Canadian finishing your PhD dissertation in Germany right when the First World War breaks out. As a subject of the British empire…