Today in Canadian History

Latest Episodes:

April 19 – Black Loyalists During the American Revolution Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

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 and eventually settled in Nova Scotia we spoke with Beverly Cox of the The Black Loyalist Heritage Society, located in Birchtown, Nova Scotia.

April 15 – Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp is Liberated Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

British and Canadian troops liberated prisoners at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on April 15, 1945. To learn more about the legacy of holocaust survivors in Canada we spoke with Sabrina Moisan of the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre.

April 14th – “Surplus Children” Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

We spoke with Kenneth Bagnell, the author of "The Little Immigrants: The Orphans Who Came to Canada".

April 13 – Grey Owl Passes Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

On this day back in 1938, the British-born conservationist Grey Owl passed away.

April 12 – The March of New Brunswick’s 104th Apr 12, 2026

Show notes

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 Historian and author of "The Road to Canada: The Grand Communications Route from Saint John to Quebec", Gary Campbell.

April 11 – Byng and Vimy Ridge Apr 11, 2026

Show notes

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 lieutenant-general Julian Byng.

April 7 – The First Stamps Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

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 more we spoke with George Pepall, the President of the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada.

April 6 – Vancouver Incorporated as a City Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

Vancouver was incorporated as a city back in 1886. We spoke with civic historian John Atkin.

April 5 – The Ripple Rock Explosion Apr 05, 2026

Show notes

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 1958.

April 4 – E. H. Norman Takes His Own Life Apr 04, 2026

Show notes

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 learn more about Canada in the time of the Cold War we spoke with Dr. Bryan Palmer author of "Canada's 1960's: The Ironies of Identity in a Rebellious Era".

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