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".
June 27 – O Canada Officially Adopted
In 1980, the National Anthem Act was adopted by Parliament.
June 24 – 1968 Saint-Jean Baptiste Day
Today is La Fête nationale du Québec. To learn more about the infamous 1968 Saint-Jean Baptiste Day we spoke with official Pierre Elliot Trudeau biographer and author of "Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Vol. 2: 1968-2000".
June 22 – Dief the Chief Becomes Prime Minister
We spoke with Dr. Michael Atkinson, the Executive Director of the Diefenbaker Canada Centre at the University of Saskatchewan to learn more about Diefenbaker's six years as PM. Diefenbaker served his second day as PM on this date back in 1957.
June 20 – National Library of Canada Opens
Lester B. Pearson opened the Canadian institution in Ottawa in 1967.
June 17 – Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Lunenburg's first church service was held by settlers on this day back in 1753.
June 16 – Saskatchewan Wakes up to a Socialist Government
The Saskatchewan branch of the CCF defeated the Liberals in an election on June 15, 1944, making Tommy Douglas Premier. To learn more we spoke with C. Stuart Houston, the author of "Tommy's Team: The People Behind the Douglas Years".
June 15 – Herman ‘Jackrabbit’ Smith-Johannsen
The ski pioneer was born on this day back in 1875 in Norway. We spoke with his grandson, Peter Austin.
June 14 – Province of Canada’s First Parliament
Back in 1841, preparations were being made in Kingston for the first parliament, held June 15th.
June 13 – The Last Fatal Duel
Upper Canada's last fatal duel happened on June 13, 1833 in Perth, Ontario. To learn more we spoke with John Fowler, the Chair of the Perth Historical Society.
June 9 – The Politics of The Great Depression
RB Bennett and Mackenzie King sparred while the 1930 election loomed. We spoke with John Boyko, the Dean of History and Social Science at Lakefield School in Ontario, as well as author of "Bennett: The Rebel Who Challenged and Changed a Nation".
June 8 – Mackenzie King Becomes Longest Serving PM
We spoke with Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer an Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of History at St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo, as well as co-editor of "Mackenzie King: Citizenship and Community."
June 7 – The Beothuk
This day back in 1829 was widely considered to be the first day with no living survivors of the Beothuk. We spoke with Teresa Greene, of the Beothuk institute.
June 6 – D-Day
We spoke with Dr. Desmond Morton on the anniversary of the Allies launching the invasion of Normandy back in 1944.
June 3 – Newfoundland Referendum of 1948
For more than a decade the dominion of Newfoundland was governed by a non-elected Commission of Government. We spoke with Keith Collier, a freelance writer and historian who works at the Maritime History Archive at Memorial University of Newfoundland to learn more about the referendums that decided the future of Canada's newest province.
June 2 – Stan Rogers Passes
Musician Stan Rogers passed away on this day back in 1983.
June 1 – The Cypress HIlls Massacre
The Cypress Hills Massacre occurred on this date back in 1873. We spoke with Royce E. W. Pettyjohn of Fort Walsh & Cypress Hills Massacre National Historic Sites of Canada.