About the Series
Contact/Episode Ideas
Home
Podcast
iTunes

Today in Canadian History

About the Series
Contact/Episode Ideas
Home
Podcast
iTunes
Marc Affeld
January 13, 2026

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

Marc Affeld
January 13, 2026

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

Comment
Marc Affeld
January 11, 2026

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

Marc Affeld
January 11, 2026

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

Comment
Marc Affeld
January 10, 2026

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

Marc Affeld
January 10, 2026

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".

Comment
Marc Affeld
January 7, 2026

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

Marc Affeld
January 7, 2026

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

Comment
Marc Affeld
January 6, 2026

Jan. 6 – Brother André Bessette Passes Away

Marc Affeld
January 6, 2026

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

Comment
Marc Affeld
January 4, 2026

Jan 4 – Canadian Artist Pegi Nicol MacLeod is Born

Marc Affeld
January 4, 2026

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".

Comment
Marc Affeld
January 3, 2026

Jan. 3 – “How the Scots Invented Canada”

Marc Affeld
January 3, 2026

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.

Comment
Marc Affeld
January 2, 2026

Highlight – Viola Desmond is physically removed from theatre

Marc Affeld
January 2, 2026

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

Comment
Marc Affeld
January 1, 2026

Happy New Year - British Troops Prepare to Burn Washington

Marc Affeld
January 1, 2026

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
December 31, 2025

Highlight – The Mad Trapper is Killed

Marc Affeld
December 31, 2025

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

Comment
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.

Comment
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.

Comment
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.

Comment
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.

Comment
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.

Comment
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.

Comment
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.

Comment
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.

Comment
Older Posts
Back to Top
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)

Powered by Squarespace