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.
July 26 – French surrender Louisbourg
Back in 1758, French forces surrendered the Fortress of Louisbourg after a 7 week siege by the British.
July 23 – The Komagata Maru Leaves Vancouver
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.
July 22 – Alexander Mackenzie Reaches the Pacific
Back in 1793, Alexander Mackenzie and company reach the Pacific Ocean.
July 21 – Marshall McLuhan’s Birthday
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.
July 20 – 19th Century Worker Bees
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.
July 19 – The 1976 Montreal Olympics
Paul Charles Howell, author and key player in the Montreal Olympic Organizing Committee discusses the legacy of the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
July 15 – Canada officially takes control of Rupert’s Land
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.
July 14 – The Death Penalty is Abolished in Canada
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.
July 12 – Pierre Berton’s Birthday
Canadian Pierre Berton was born on July 12, 1920.
July 9 – First Chuckwagon Race
The first official chuckwagon race takes place in Calgary back in 1923.
July 8 – The Disappearance of Tom Thomson
Roy MacGregor, author of "Canoe Lake" discusses the disappearance of the now-famous Canadian painter back in 1917.
July 7 – Norman Bethune
July 7th, 1937 was a big day for Dr. Norman Bethune. Larry Hannant explains...
July 6 – Birth of George “Chief” Armstrong
Professor David Mills discusses the career and significance of Canadian professional hockey player George Edward "Chief" Armstrong
July 5 – No. 2 Construction Battalion
The creation of the first all-Black Canadian battalion in WWI.
July 2 – The Battle of the Somme
Christine Leppard discusses Canada's involvement in The Battle of the Somme.
July 1 - Canada Day!
Originally broadcast and aired in 2009.
Dr. Matthew Barlow discusses the historical significance of Canada Day.
June 30 – The Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Immigration Act was passed on this day back in 1923. To learn more we spoke with Britt Braaten, the Curator and Manager of the Multicultural History Society of Ontario.
June 29 – Thoroughbred Horse Racing in Canada
Queen Elizabeth II was in Toronto to attend the 99th annual Queen's Plate at Woodbine. To learn more we spoke with Louis Cauz, the Managing Director at the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame as well as the author of "The Plate: 150 Years of Royal Tradition from Don Juan to the 2009 Winner".
June 28 – Chinese Canadians and the Prairie West
Dr. Royden Loewen of the University of Winnipeg spoke to us about the stories of Yee Clun of Regina and Rosie's Restaurant in Calgary. Dr. Loewen is the co-author of "Immigrants in Prairie Cities".