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Today in Canadian History

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Marc Affeld
September 17, 2025

September 17 – Fire on the SS Noronic kills over 115 people

Marc Affeld
September 17, 2025

Back in 1949, a fire on the ship kills over 115 people. The ship was docked on the shore of Lake Ontario.

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Marc Affeld
September 16, 2025

September 16 – Construction begins on the Canso Causeway

Marc Affeld
September 16, 2025

Construction begins on this day back in 1952, connecting Cape Breton Island by road to Nova Scotia

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Marc Affeld
September 15, 2025

September 15 – “The Greenpeace” Sets Sail in 1971

Marc Affeld
September 15, 2025

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

Comment
Marc Affeld
September 14, 2025

September 14 – Dorothea Palmer arrested for distributing information on birth control

Marc Affeld
September 14, 2025

Back in 1936, Dorothea Palmer, was arrested in Ontario. Her eventual trial became a landmark case in the Canadian birth control movement.

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Marc Affeld
September 13, 2025

September 13 – Laura Ingersoll is born

Marc Affeld
September 13, 2025

Laura Ingersoll, later known as Laura Secord, is born on this day back in 1775. She warned British forces of an American attack in 1813.

Comment
Marc Affeld
September 10, 2025

September 10 -1939 Canada Declares War on Germany

Marc Affeld
September 10, 2025

We spoke with associate professor Pat Brennan about how WWII built Canada as a nation.

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Marc Affeld
September 9, 2025

September 9 – Alexander Graham Bell creation breaks marine speed record

Marc Affeld
September 9, 2025

In Nova Scotia back in 1919, a hydrofoil craft co-created by Alexander Graham Bell hits 114 kms an hour, breaking the record for speed on water.

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Marc Affeld
September 8, 2025

September 8 – The Children of the Klondike

Marc Affeld
September 8, 2025

We spoke with historian and author Frances Backhouse about the birth of Dawson Klondike Schultz on Sept. 8, 1897 and the "Children of the Klondike".

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Marc Affeld
September 7, 2025

September 7 – CBC Television Begins First Broadcast

Marc Affeld
September 7, 2025

We spoke with FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting spokesperson Ian Morrison about the launch of CBC Television.

Comment
Marc Affeld
September 6, 2025

September 6 – Launch of The Canadian Encyclopedia

Marc Affeld
September 6, 2025

Back in 1985, The Canadian Encyclopedia is released in Edmonton, Alberta.

Comment
Marc Affeld
September 2, 2025

September 2 – Celebrating the Discovery of the Wreckage of RMS Titanic

Marc Affeld
September 2, 2025

Members of a joint French-American expedition celebrate the discovery of the wreckage of Titanic, which they had found on Sept. 1, 1985

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Marc Affeld
September 1, 2025

September 1 – Saskatchewan and Alberta become provinces (special edition!)

Marc Affeld
September 1, 2025

Back in 1905, Saskatchewan and Alberta officially become provinces.

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Marc Affeld
August 31, 2025

August 31 – (First French Episode!) Opening of the Ouimetoscope Cinema.

Marc Affeld
August 31, 2025

In 1907, Leo-Ernest Ouimet opens the largest theater in North America exclusively dedicated to showing movies.

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Marc Affeld
August 30, 2025

August 30 – Vicki Keith becomes the first person to swim across all 5 Great Lakes

Marc Affeld
August 30, 2025

Back in 1988, Canadian Vicki Keith stepped onto the shore of Lake Ontario and became the first person to swim across all five of the Great Lakes.

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Marc Affeld
August 27, 2025

August 27 – The beginning of the first Canadian roadtrip by car

Marc Affeld
August 27, 2025

Back in 1912, Thomas Wilby and Jack Haney began their trip across Canada in a 1912 REO Special.

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Marc Affeld
August 26, 2025

August 26 – Joseph Burr Tyrrell and the Canadian Dinosaur Rush

Marc Affeld
August 26, 2025

Joseph Burr Tyrrell passed away on this date in 1957. We spoke with the Royal Tyrrell Museum's Don Brinkman about Tyrrell and the beginning of the Canadian Dinosaur Rush.

Comment
Marc Affeld
August 25, 2025

August 25 – Donald Marshall Sr. Passes Away

Marc Affeld
August 25, 2025

Back in 1991, the grand chief of the Mikmaq passed away. He was a tireless advocate for aboriginal rights and justice issues.

Comment
Marc Affeld
August 24, 2025

August 24 – Execution of Canadian Soldiers During WWI

Marc Affeld
August 24, 2025

Back in 1916, Canadian soldier Benjamin DeFehr spent his last night in custody. Come dawn, he was shot and killed by a firing squad. He was 1 of 25 Canadian soldiers executed during WWI.

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Marc Affeld
August 23, 2025

August 23 – British Troops Prepare to Burn Washington

Marc Affeld
August 23, 2025

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.

Comment
Marc Affeld
August 20, 2025

August 20 – Eaton’s Goes Bankrupt

Marc Affeld
August 20, 2025

On this day back in 1999, it was announced that after nearly 130 years, the Eaton's department store was filing for bankruptcy protection.

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Today in Canadian History, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Land Acknowledgement: With gratitude, mutual respect, and reciprocity, Joe and Marc acknowledge the ancestral home, culture, and oral teachings of the Treaty 7 signatories which includes the Siksika Nation, Piikani Nation, Kainai Nation, the Îethka Stoney Nakoda Nation, consisting of the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Good Stoney Bands, and the people of the Tsuut’ina Nation. Our show was produced in The City of Calgary, which is also homeland to the historic Northwest Métis and to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, Métis Nation Battle River Territory, Nose Hill Métis District 5 and Elbow Métis District 6. (source: Calgary Public Library)

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