Today in Canadian History

Feb. 18 – The Battle of Paardeburg Feb 18, 2025

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 Little War: Fighting for the British Empire in Southern Africa 1899-1902" Dr. Carman Miller.

Feb. 17 – The Mad Trapper is Killed Feb 17, 2025

After a manhunt that lasted over one month, the man known only as "The Mad Trapper" is killed in Canada's North.

Feb. 16 – Citizenship Special Feb 16, 2025

We attended a citizenship ceremony on February 15th, 2011 to speak with Citizenship Judge Joan May Way and some new Canadians.

Feb. 15 – The Great Upheaval Feb 15, 2025

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.

Feb. 14 – The Asbestos Strike of 1949 Feb 14, 2025

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 impact on the Quiet Revolution I spoke with Dr. Damien-Claude Bélanger of the Université d’Ottawa and author of "Prejudice and Pride: Canadian Intellectuals Confront the United States, 1891-1945".

Feb. 11 – Patrick James Whelan executed Feb 11, 2025

Patrick James Whelan was executed on this day back in 1869 for the assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee.

Feb. 10 – War Brides Arrive in 1946 Feb 10, 2025

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 "War Brides : The Stories of the Women Who Left Everything Behind to Follow the Men They Loved".

Feb. 9 – 1913 Meteor Procession Feb 09, 2025

This rare event took Canadians by surprise back in 1913.

Feb. 8 – The Aroostook War Feb 08, 2025

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 I spoke with Patrick Michaud of Fort Ingall.

Feb. 7 – First War Artists Commissioned Feb 07, 2025

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 historian of war and art at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

Feb. 4 – Wreck of the Oil Tanker Arrow Feb 04, 2025

The oil tanker Arrow went down off the coast of Nova Scotia.

Feb. 3 – Pierre Trudeau Tours Cuba Feb 03, 2025

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 of "Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliot Trudeau."

Feb. 2 – Wiarton Willie Festival Feb 02, 2025

The Wiarton Willie Festival was founded back in 1956. One of the nation's most popular groundhogs.

Feb. 1 – The North West Mounted Police Becomes the RCMP. Feb 01, 2025

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 history of the NWMP we spoke with Dawn Lauder, the Site Manager of the Fort Museum in Fort McLeod, Alberta.

Jan. 31 – The Real James Bond, Sir William Stephenson Passes Away Jan 31, 2025

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 with Gary Solar, President of the Intrepid Society.

Jan. 28 – Women Get the Vote Jan 28, 2025

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 McClung. To learn more, we spoke with Bette Meuller of the Nellie McClung Society.

Jan. 27 – The Original Bluenose's Last Day Jan 27, 2025

The original Bluenose spent it's last day sailing above water. The famous schooner went down off coast of Haiti in 1946.

Jan. 26 – Dr. Wilder Penfield is Born Jan 26, 2025

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 Montreal Neurological Institute back in the 1950s.

Jan. 25 – Lucy Maud Montgomery in Ontario Jan 25, 2025

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 Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario.

Jan. 24 – Japanese Canadian Internment Jan 24, 2025

Discussion with Prof. W. Peter Ward about the internment of Japanese Canadians during WWII.

Jan. 21 – The 1910 Spanish River Train Wreck Jan 21, 2025

Over 40 people perished when train derailed west of Sudbury. In terms of fatalities, fourth worst in Canadian history.

Jan. 20 – Doukhobors Arrive in Halifax Jan 20, 2025

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.

Jan. 19 – The Jets Leave Winnipeg Jan 19, 2025

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 "Thin Ice: Money, Politics, and the Demise of an NHL Franchise".

Jan. 18 – Canadian Content Rules Come into Effect Jan 18, 2025

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.

Jan. 17 – Jacques Plante and Facial Protection in Hockey Jan 17, 2025

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.

Jan. 13 – Major Gustave Biéler is Arrested by the Gestapo Jan 13, 2025

We spoke with Major Gustave Biéler's daughter Jacqueline Bieler, on the anniversary of his 1944 arrest while aiding the French Resistance in WWII.

Jan. 11 – John A. Macdonald is Born pt. 2 of 2 Jan 11, 2025

In part two, we discuss Sir John A. Macdonald: the man, with Richard J. Gwyn author of "John A, The Man Who Made Us".

Jan 10 – John A. Macdonald is Born pt. 1 of 2 Jan 10, 2025

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".

Jan. 7 – Hank Snow Performs at the Grand Ole Opry Jan 07, 2025

Canadian country music star Hank Snow performs at the Grand Ole Opry......and nobody likes him.

Jan. 6 – Brother André Bessette Passes Away Jan 06, 2025

Later known as Saint André Bessette, Brother André of Montreal died on this day back in 1937.

Jan. 5 – The Montreal Canadiens Play their First Game at Home Jan 05, 2025

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 History, Economics & Political Science at John Abbott College in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec.

Jan 4 – Canadian Artist Pegi Nicol MacLeod is Born Jan 04, 2025

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 of Pegi Nicol MacLeod, Canadian artist".

Jan. 3 – “How the Scots Invented Canada” Jan 03, 2025

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 in 1802.

Highlight – The Disappearance of Tom Thomson Dec 31, 2024

Roy MacGregor, author of "Canoe Lake" discusses the disappearance of the now-famous Canadian painter back in 1917.

Highlight – The October Crisis Ends Dec 31, 2024

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 Quebec Provincial Cabinet at the time of the crisis as well as author of "The October Crisis, 1970: An Insider's View".

Highlight – No. 2 Construction Battalion Dec 31, 2024

The creation of the first all-Black Canadian battalion in WWI.

Highlight – The Great Winnipeg Gold Robbery of 1966 Dec 31, 2024

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 more we spoke with historian Christian Cassidy of West End Dumplings & This Was Manitoba.

Highlight – The Mad Trapper is Killed Dec 31, 2024

After a manhunt that lasted over one month, the man known only as "The Mad Trapper" is killed in Canada's North.

Highlight – Viola Desmond is physically removed from theatre Dec 31, 2024

In 1946, Viola Desmond was forcibly removed from a theatre in New Glasgow, NS for refusing to move from whites-only section.

Highlight – Tommy Douglas was born Dec 31, 2024

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 author of "Tommy's Team : the People Behind the Douglas Years". Dr. Houston is a professor emeritus of the university of Saskatchewan, and an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Highlight – “The Greenpeace” Sets Sail in 1971 Dec 31, 2024

Historian, ecologist and co-founder of Greenpeace International, Rex Weyler discusses the early days of Greenpeace.

Highlight – Saskatchewan and Alberta become provinces Dec 31, 2024

Back in 1905, Saskatchewan and Alberta officially become provinces.

Highlight - British Troops Prepare to Burn Washington Dec 31, 2024

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 of Washington and the War of 1812.

Highlight – Major Gustave Biéler is Arrested by the Gestapo Dec 31, 2024

We spoke with Major Gustave Biéler's daughter Jacqueline Bieler, on the anniversary of his 1944 arrest while aiding the French Resistance in WWII.

Highlight – Macdonald and The Double Shuffle Dec 31, 2024

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.

Highlight – The Komagata Maru Leaves Vancouver Dec 31, 2024

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 incident and its legacy.

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