British and Canadian troops liberated prisoners at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on April 15, 1945. To learn more about the legacy of holocaust survivors in Canada we spoke with Sabrina Moisan of the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre.
April 14th – “Surplus Children”
We spoke with Kenneth Bagnell, the author of "The Little Immigrants: The Orphans Who Came to Canada".
April 12 – The March of New Brunswick’s 104th
New Brunswick's 104th Foot Regiment arrived in Kingston on this date back in 1813. Their march from Fredericton covered over 1100km. To learn more we spoke to Historian and author of "The Road to Canada: The Grand Communications Route from Saint John to Quebec", Gary Campbell.
April 11 – Byng and Vimy Ridge
April 11, 1917 marked the third day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. We spoke with Dr. Patrick Brennan of the University of Calgary about the leadership of lieutenant-general Julian Byng.
April 7 – The First Stamps
A Canadian postmaster issued a provisional stamp on this date back in 1851 - two weeks before the first Canadian stamps were issued to the public. To learn more we spoke with George Pepall, the President of the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada.
April 6 – Vancouver Incorporated as a City
Vancouver was incorporated as a city back in 1886. We spoke with civic historian John Atkin.
April 5 – The Ripple Rock Explosion
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.
April 4 – E. H. Norman Takes His Own Life
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".
April 1 – A Small Town Mayor and the First Offical Game of Curling
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.
March 31 – Last Tot of Rum for Navy
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.
March 30 – The Labrador Joins Newfoundland
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.
March 29: Budge Crawley Wins Oscar
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.
March 25 – The Aroostook War Take II
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.
March 24 – Black Canadians Granted the Right to Vote
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.
March 23 – The Gazette Hits the Stands
The Halifax Gazette, Canada's first newspaper, is published for the first time back in 1752.
March 21 – The North West Company Merges with the Hudson’s Bay Company
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.
March 18 – The SS Beaver Arrived at the Pacific Coast
The SS Beaver, the first steamship to operate in the Pacific Northwest, arrived at the coast on this day back in 1836.
March 17 – Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Celebrated in Ireland, Canada and around the world. Have a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day!
March 16 – St. Urho’s Day
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.
March 15 – King’s College Founded
King's College, later renamed University of Toronto, was founded by Royal Charter on this day back in 1827.