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Today in Canadian History

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Marc Affeld
April 5, 2025

April 5 – The Ripple Rock Explosion

Marc Affeld
April 5, 2025

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.

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Marc Affeld
April 4, 2025

April 4 – E. H. Norman Takes His Own Life

Marc Affeld
April 4, 2025

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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Marc Affeld
April 1, 2025

April 1 – A Small Town Mayor and the First Offical Game of Curling

Marc Affeld
April 1, 2025

To learn about the story of a small town mayor in 1888, we spoke with Dr. Martin Raeb. To learn about the first game of curling we spoke with Dr. Anthony Morrow of the University of Waterloo.

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Marc Affeld
March 31, 2025

March 31 – Last Tot of Rum for Navy

Marc Affeld
March 31, 2025

Likely that some members of the Canadian Navy woke up with a hangover on this day back in 1972. The previous day they were served the last ration of rum.

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Marc Affeld
March 30, 2025

March 30 – The Labrador Joins Newfoundland

Marc Affeld
March 30, 2025

On this day back in 1809, Labrador joined Newfoundland as a colony of the British Empire. To learn more about the history of Labrador, we spoke with author of "The Story of Labrador" Canadian Senator William Rompkey.

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Marc Affeld
March 29, 2025

March 29: Budge Crawley Wins Oscar

Marc Affeld
March 29, 2025

In 1976, F.R. "Budge" Crawley accepted an Academy Award for his film The Man Who Skied Down Everest. It was the first time a Canadian-made film received an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.

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Marc Affeld
March 25, 2025

March 25 – The Aroostook War Take II

Marc Affeld
March 25, 2025

The agreement which ended the crisis at the Maine/New Brunswick border was signed on this day back in 1839. To learn more we spoke with historian and author of "The Road to Canada: The Grand Communications Route from Saint John to Quebec" Gary Campbell.

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Marc Affeld
March 24, 2025

March 24 – Black Canadians Granted the Right to Vote

Marc Affeld
March 24, 2025

On March 24, 1837 Black Canadians were granted the right to vote in elections. To learn more we spoke with Rosemary Saidler, the President of the Ontario Black History Society.

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Marc Affeld
March 23, 2025

March 23 – The Gazette Hits the Stands

Marc Affeld
March 23, 2025

The Halifax Gazette, Canada's first newspaper, is published for the first time back in 1752.

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Marc Affeld
March 21, 2025

March 21 – The North West Company Merges with the Hudson’s Bay Company

Marc Affeld
March 21, 2025

On March 21, 1821 the North West Company was forced to merge with the Hudson's Bay Company. To learn more we spoke with Marty Mascarin, of the Fort William Historical Park.

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Marc Affeld
March 18, 2025

March 18 – The SS Beaver Arrived at the Pacific Coast

Marc Affeld
March 18, 2025

The SS Beaver, the first steamship to operate in the Pacific Northwest, arrived at the coast on this day back in 1836.

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Marc Affeld
March 17, 2025

March 17 – Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Marc Affeld
March 17, 2025

Celebrated in Ireland, Canada and around the world. Have a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day!

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Marc Affeld
March 16, 2025

March 16 – St. Urho’s Day

Marc Affeld
March 16, 2025

On March 16th Finnish Canadians gather to celebrate St. Urho's Day. To learn more I spoke with Dorothy Ahlgren, President of the Canadian Friends of Finland located in Ottawa.

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Marc Affeld
March 15, 2025

March 15 – King’s College Founded

Marc Affeld
March 15, 2025

 

King's College, later renamed University of Toronto, was founded by Royal Charter on this day back in 1827.

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Marc Affeld
March 14, 2025

March 14 – The One Big Union is Formed

Marc Affeld
March 14, 2025

A vote to form The One Big Union occurred at a three day conference in Calgary during March of 1919. To learn more we spoke with Dr. Ken Coates a professor of History as well as the Dean of Arts at the University of Waterloo.

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Marc Affeld
March 11, 2025

March 11 – Richard Blanshard Arrives on Vancouver Island

Marc Affeld
March 11, 2025

The first governor of the Colony of Vancouver Island arrived on the island on this day back in 1850. To learn more we spoke with John Adams historian and author of "Old Square-Toes and His Lady: The Life of James and Amelia Douglas".

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Marc Affeld
March 9, 2025

March 9 – Arctic Winter Games

Marc Affeld
March 9, 2025

The first Arctic Winter Games were held in Yellowknife on this day back in 1970

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Marc Affeld
March 8, 2025

March 8 – International Women's Day Edition (Extended)

Marc Affeld
March 8, 2025

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, we spoke with Dr. Mona Gleason of the University of British Columbia about the history of women in Canada.

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Marc Affeld
March 7, 2025

March 7 – The Montreal Shamrocks

Marc Affeld
March 7, 2025

The Montreal Shamrocks won the Stanley Cup on this day back in 1900. To learn more we spoke with Dr. Matthew Barlow of John Abbott College.

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Marc Affeld
March 4, 2025

March 4 – Actor John Candy Passed

Marc Affeld
March 4, 2025

Canadian comedian and actor John Candy passed away on this day back in 1994.

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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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