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Today in Canadian History

About the Series
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Marc Affeld
December 30, 2025

Highlight – The Disappearance of Tom Thomson

Marc Affeld
December 30, 2025

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

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Marc Affeld
December 29, 2025

Highlight – Macdonald and The Double Shuffle

Marc Affeld
December 29, 2025

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.

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Marc Affeld
December 26, 2025

Highlight – The Komagata Maru Leaves Vancouver

Marc Affeld
December 26, 2025

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.

Comment
Marc Affeld
December 25, 2025

Highlight – “The Greenpeace” Sets Sail in 1971

Marc Affeld
December 25, 2025

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

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Marc Affeld
December 24, 2025

Highlight – No. 2 Construction Battalion

Marc Affeld
December 24, 2025

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

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Marc Affeld
December 23, 2025

Highlight – The October Crisis Ends

Marc Affeld
December 23, 2025

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".

Comment
Marc Affeld
December 22, 2025

Highlight – Tommy Douglas was born

Marc Affeld
December 22, 2025

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.

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Marc Affeld
December 19, 2025

Highlight – The Great Winnipeg Gold Robbery of 1966

Marc Affeld
December 19, 2025

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.

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Marc Affeld
December 18, 2025

Highlight – Saskatchewan and Alberta become provinces

Marc Affeld
December 18, 2025

Back in 1905, Saskatchewan and Alberta officially become provinces.

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Marc Affeld
December 17, 2025

Highlight – Major Gustave Biéler is Arrested by the Gestapo

Marc Affeld
December 17, 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.

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Marc Affeld
December 9, 2025

Dec. 9 – Camp X

Marc Affeld
December 9, 2025

We discuss Camp X, the secret spy camp based on the shores of Lake Ontario during WWII.

2 Comments
Marc Affeld
December 8, 2025

Dec. 8 – The Battle of Hong Kong and its Aftermath

Marc Affeld
December 8, 2025

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 Kong and the POW Experience, 1941-45" Nathan M. Greenfield.

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Marc Affeld
December 7, 2025

Dec. 7 – The Battle of Montgomery_s Tavern

Marc Affeld
December 7, 2025

We spoke to Janet Schwartz, the Museum Coordinator at Toronto's Mackenzie House to learn more about the Battle and the Upper Canada Rebellion.

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Marc Affeld
December 6, 2025

December 6 – The Halifax Explosion

Marc Affeld
December 6, 2025

The explosion was caused when two ships collided in the Halifax Harbour back in 1917.

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Marc Affeld
December 3, 2025

December 3 – The October Crisis Ends.

Marc Affeld
December 3, 2025

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".

Comment
Marc Affeld
December 2, 2025

Dec. 2 – Writer Robertson Davies Passes Away

Marc Affeld
December 2, 2025

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 Cameron.

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Marc Affeld
December 1, 2025

Dec. 1 – James Naismith and Basketball

Marc Affeld
December 1, 2025

Back in 1891, Canadian Dr. James Naismith worked on creating the game of basketball.

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Marc Affeld
November 30, 2025

Nov. 30 – General Arthur Currie Passes Away

Marc Affeld
November 30, 2025

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 of Sam Hughes and General Arthur Currie."

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Marc Affeld
November 26, 2025

Nov. 26 – The NHL is Founded in 1917

Marc Affeld
November 26, 2025

We spoke with hockey historian Eric Zweig about the earliest days of the National Hockey League.

1 Comment
Marc Affeld
November 25, 2025

Nov. 25 – Happy Birthday, Banff!

Marc Affeld
November 25, 2025

The federal government set aside land for park back in 1885. (Orig. aired in 2010)

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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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