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Today in Canadian History

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Marc Affeld
August 9, 2025

August 9 – Wayne Gretzky is Traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings

Marc Affeld
August 9, 2025

Dr. David Mills discusses Wayne Gretzky's 1988 Trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings.

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Marc Affeld
August 6, 2025

August 6 – Macdonald and The Double Shuffle

Marc Affeld
August 6, 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
August 5, 2025

August 5 – Sir Humphrey Gilbert Claims Part of Newfoundland for Britain

Marc Affeld
August 5, 2025

We spoke with historian Josh Tavenor about Sir Humphrey Gilbert's 1583 claim of the land surrounding what is now St. John's, Newfoundland.

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Marc Affeld
August 4, 2025

August 4 – Fire breaks-out in the Library of Parliament

Marc Affeld
August 4, 2025

Back in 1952, fire damages Canada's Library of Parliament.

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Marc Affeld
August 3, 2025

August 3 – William Avery Bishop is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross

Marc Affeld
August 3, 2025

 

August 3 – William Avery Bishop is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross

World War I flying ace "Billy" Bishop is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for service.

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Marc Affeld
July 30, 2025

July 30 – Mark Tewskbury Wins Gold

Marc Affeld
July 30, 2025

We spoke with Mark Tewskbury about his gold medal win at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

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Marc Affeld
July 29, 2025

July 29 – James Shaver Woodsworth was born

Marc Affeld
July 29, 2025

 

Back in 1874, social activist and first leader of the CCF, J.S. Woodsworth was born.

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Marc Affeld
July 28, 2025

July 28 – R.B. Bennett’s Conservative Party wins the 1930 election

Marc Affeld
July 28, 2025

John Boyko, the Dean of History and Social Science at Lakefield School in Ontario, as well as author of "Bennett: The Rebel Who Challenged and Changed a Nation" discusses the legacy of Prime Minister R.B. Bennett.

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Marc Affeld
July 27, 2025

July 27 – Insulin isolated at the U of T

Marc Affeld
July 27, 2025

 

Fredrick Banting and Charles Best isolate insulin from the pancreas of a dog. With the help of JJR Macleod and James Collip, the group would go on to treat human sufferers of diabetes.

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Marc Affeld
July 26, 2025

July 26 – French surrender Louisbourg

Marc Affeld
July 26, 2025

 

Back in 1758, French forces surrendered the Fortress of Louisbourg after a 7 week siege by the British.

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Marc Affeld
July 23, 2025

July 23 – The Komagata Maru Leaves Vancouver

Marc Affeld
July 23, 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.

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Marc Affeld
July 22, 2025

July 22 – Alexander Mackenzie Reaches the Pacific

Marc Affeld
July 22, 2025

 

Back in 1793, Alexander Mackenzie and company reach the Pacific Ocean.

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Marc Affeld
July 21, 2025

July 21 – Marshall McLuhan’s Birthday

Marc Affeld
July 21, 2025

 

We spoke with Terrence Gordon, the author of four books about Marshall McLuhan, including a biography and most recently McLuhan: A Guide for the Perplexed. He has also edited new editions of four of McLuhan's works.

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Marc Affeld
July 20, 2025

July 20 – 19th Century Worker Bees

Marc Affeld
July 20, 2025

 

Dr. Catharine Wilson discusses Ontario's 19th Century Worker Bees (not that kind of bee). Dr. Wilson's research on worker bee's is funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

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Marc Affeld
July 19, 2025

July 19 – The 1976 Montreal Olympics

Marc Affeld
July 19, 2025

Paul Charles Howell, author and key player in the Montreal Olympic Organizing Committee discusses the legacy of the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

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Marc Affeld
July 15, 2025

July 15 – Canada officially takes control of Rupert’s Land

Marc Affeld
July 15, 2025

 

Back on July 15th, 1870, Canada officially takes control of the area known as Rupert's Land. The Hudson's Bay Company was originally granted the land 200 years earlier, back in 1670.

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Marc Affeld
July 14, 2025

July 14 – The Death Penalty is Abolished in Canada

Marc Affeld
July 14, 2025

 

Robert J. Hoshowsky author of "The Last to Die: Ronald Turpin, Arthur Lucas, and the End of Capital Punishment in Canada" discusses the end of the death penalty in Canada.

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Marc Affeld
July 12, 2025

July 12 – Pierre Berton’s Birthday

Marc Affeld
July 12, 2025

Canadian Pierre Berton was born on July 12, 1920.

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Marc Affeld
July 9, 2025

July 9 – First Chuckwagon Race

Marc Affeld
July 9, 2025

 The first official chuckwagon race takes place in Calgary back in 1923.

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Marc Affeld
July 8, 2025

July 8 – The Disappearance of Tom Thomson

Marc Affeld
July 8, 2025

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

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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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