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Today in Canadian History

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Marc Affeld
October 6, 2025

October 6 – Radio station opens in Aklavik, NWT

Marc Affeld
October 6, 2025
October 6 – Radio station opens in Aklavik, NWT
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Back in 1925, station opens in Aklavik, NWT as part of the North West Territories and Yukon Radio System.

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Marc Affeld
October 5, 2025

October 5 – Laurie Skreslet becomes first Canadian to climb Everest

Marc Affeld
October 5, 2025
October 5 – Laurie Skreslet becomes first Canadian to climb Everest
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Back in 1982, Laurie Skreslet became the first Canadian to reach the top of Mount Everest. Canadian Pat Morrow followed only days later.

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Marc Affeld
October 4, 2025

October 4 – Pianist Glenn Gould dies

Marc Affeld
October 4, 2025
October 4 – Pianist Glenn Gould dies
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Glenn Gould passed away on this day back in 1982. He was 50.

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Marc Affeld
October 1, 2025

October 1 – Artist Paul Kane returns to Toronto

Marc Affeld
October 1, 2025
October 1 – Artist Paul Kane returns to Toronto
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

The famous Canadian painter returns to Toronto after more than two years in the West.

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Marc Affeld
September 30, 2025

September 30 – Arctic explorer John Rae is born

Marc Affeld
September 30, 2025
September 30 – Arctic explorer John Rae is born
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

John Rae is born in Scotland on this day back in 1813.

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Marc Affeld
September 29, 2025

September 29 – The Aloutte 1

Marc Affeld
September 29, 2025
September 29 – The Aloutte 1 Launches Canada into Space
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

We spoke with astronaut Robert Thirsk: the Canadian who has spent the most time in space.

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Marc Affeld
September 28, 2025

September 28 – Pierre Elliot Trudeau Passes Away

Marc Affeld
September 28, 2025
September 28 – Pierre Elliot Trudeau Passes Away
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Historian and author John English discusses the legacy of Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau.

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Marc Affeld
September 27, 2025

September 27 – Stanley Park opened in Vancouver

Marc Affeld
September 27, 2025
September 27 – Stanley Park opened in Vancouver
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Park opened to public for the first time back in 1888.

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Marc Affeld
September 24, 2025

September 24 – Canada Lifts Sanctions Against South Africa

Marc Affeld
September 24, 2025
September 24 – Canada Lifts Sanctions Against South Africa
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

We spoke with Dr. Linda Freeman, a professor at the University of Carleton.

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Marc Affeld
September 23, 2025

September 23 – Mack Sennett releases first film

Marc Affeld
September 23, 2025
September 23 – Mack Sennett releases first film
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Back in 1912 in New York, Quebec-born Mack Sennett releases his first Keystone Comedy film.

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Marc Affeld
September 22, 2025

September 22 – Building named after Clara Brett Martin

Marc Affeld
September 22, 2025
September 22 – Building named after Clara Brett Martin
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Back in 1989, the Ontario provincial government (temporarily) names a building after Clara Brett Martin, the first woman lawyer in the British Empire.

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Marc Affeld
September 21, 2025

September 21 – The Toonie is Unveiled to the Public

Marc Affeld
September 21, 2025
September 21 – The Toonie is Unveiled to the Public
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Brent Townsend is the the artist who designed the polar bear on the reverse of the Canadian two dollar coin.

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Marc Affeld
September 20, 2025

September 20 – First signing of Treaty 5

Marc Affeld
September 20, 2025
September 20 – First signing of Treaty 5
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Treaty 5 is signed for the first time at Berens River, Manitoba back in 1875.

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Marc Affeld
September 17, 2025

September 17 – Fire on the SS Noronic kills over 115 people

Marc Affeld
September 17, 2025
September 17 – Fire on the SS Noronic kills over 115 people
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Back in 1949, a fire on the ship kills over 115 people. The ship was docked on the shore of Lake Ontario.

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Marc Affeld
September 16, 2025

September 16 – Construction begins on the Canso Causeway

Marc Affeld
September 16, 2025
September 16 – Construction begins on the Canso Causeway
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Construction begins on this day back in 1952, connecting Cape Breton Island by road to Nova Scotia

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Marc Affeld
September 15, 2025

September 15 – “The Greenpeace” Sets Sail in 1971

Marc Affeld
September 15, 2025
September 15 – “The Greenpeace” Sets Sail in 1971
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Historian, ecologist and co-founder of Greenpeace International, Rex Weyler discusses the early days of Greenpeace.

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Marc Affeld
September 14, 2025

September 14 – Dorothea Palmer arrested for distributing information on birth control

Marc Affeld
September 14, 2025
September 14 – Dorothea Palmer arrested for distributing information on birth control
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Back in 1936, Dorothea Palmer, was arrested in Ontario. Her eventual trial became a landmark case in the Canadian birth control movement.

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Marc Affeld
September 13, 2025

September 13 – Laura Ingersoll is born

Marc Affeld
September 13, 2025
September 13 – Laura Ingersoll is born
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Laura Ingersoll, later known as Laura Secord, is born on this day back in 1775. She warned British forces of an American attack in 1813.

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Marc Affeld
September 10, 2025

September 10 -1939 Canada Declares War on Germany

Marc Affeld
September 10, 2025
September 10 -1939 Canada Declares War on Germany
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

We spoke with associate professor Pat Brennan about how WWII built Canada as a nation.

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Marc Affeld
September 9, 2025

September 9 – Alexander Graham Bell creation breaks marine speed record

Marc Affeld
September 9, 2025
September 9 – Alexander Graham Bell creation breaks marine speed record
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

In Nova Scotia back in 1919, a hydrofoil craft co-created by Alexander Graham Bell hits 114 kms an hour, breaking the record for speed on water.

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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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