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Today in Canadian History

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Marc Affeld
July 9, 2026

July 9 – First Chuckwagon Race

Marc Affeld
July 9, 2026
July 9 – First Chuckwagon Race
CJSW 90.9FM

 The first official chuckwagon race takes place in Calgary back in 1923.

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Marc Affeld
July 8, 2026

July 8 – The Disappearance of Tom Thomson

Marc Affeld
July 8, 2026

Roy MacGregor, author of "Canoe Lake" discusses the disappearance of the now-famous Canadian painter back in 1917.

July 8 – The Disappearance of Tom Thomson
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima
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Marc Affeld
July 7, 2026

July 7 – Norman Bethune

Marc Affeld
July 7, 2026
July 7 – Norman Bethune
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

July 7th, 1937 was a big day for Dr. Norman Bethune. Larry Hannant explains...

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Marc Affeld
July 6, 2026

July 6 – Birth of George “Chief” Armstrong

Marc Affeld
July 6, 2026
July 6 – Birth of George “Chief” Armstrong
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Professor David Mills discusses the career and significance of Canadian professional hockey player George Edward "Chief" Armstrong

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Marc Affeld
July 5, 2026

July 5 – No. 2 Construction Battalion

Marc Affeld
July 5, 2026
July 5 – No. 2 Construction Battalion
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

The creation of the first all-Black Canadian battalion in WWI.

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Marc Affeld
July 2, 2026

July 2 – The Battle of the Somme

Marc Affeld
July 2, 2026
July 2 – The Battle of the Somme
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Christine Leppard discusses Canada's involvement in The Battle of the Somme.

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Marc Affeld
July 1, 2026

July 1 - Canada Day!

Marc Affeld
July 1, 2026
July 1 – Canada Day!
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Originally broadcast and aired in 2009.

Dr. Matthew Barlow discusses the historical significance of Canada Day.

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Marc Affeld
June 30, 2026

June 30 – The Chinese Exclusion Act

Marc Affeld
June 30, 2026
June 30 – The Chinese Exclusion Act
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

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.

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Marc Affeld
June 29, 2026

June 29 – Thoroughbred Horse Racing in Canada

Marc Affeld
June 29, 2026
June 29 – Thoroughbred Horse Racing in Canada
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

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".

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Marc Affeld
June 28, 2026

June 28 – Chinese Canadians and the Prairie West

Marc Affeld
June 28, 2026
June 28 – Chinese Canadians and the Prairie West
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

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".

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Marc Affeld
June 27, 2026

June 27 – O Canada Officially Adopted

Marc Affeld
June 27, 2026
June 27 – O Canada Officially Adopted
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

In 1980, the National Anthem Act was adopted by Parliament.

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Marc Affeld
June 26, 2026

June 24 – 1968 Saint-Jean Baptiste Day

Marc Affeld
June 26, 2026
June 24 – 1968 Saint-Jean Baptiste Day
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

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".

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Marc Affeld
June 22, 2026

June 22 – Dief the Chief Becomes Prime Minister

Marc Affeld
June 22, 2026
June 22 – Dief the Chief Becomes Prime Minister
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

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.

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Marc Affeld
June 20, 2026

June 20 – National Library of Canada Opens

Marc Affeld
June 20, 2026
June 20 – National Library of Canada Opens
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Lester B. Pearson opened the Canadian institution in Ottawa in 1967.

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Marc Affeld
June 17, 2026

June 17 – Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Marc Affeld
June 17, 2026
June 17 – Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Lunenburg's first church service was held by settlers on this day back in 1753.

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Marc Affeld
June 16, 2026

June 16 – Saskatchewan Wakes up to a Socialist Government

Marc Affeld
June 16, 2026
June 16 – Saskatchewan Wakes up to a Socialist Government
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

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".

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Marc Affeld
June 15, 2026

June 15 – Herman ‘Jackrabbit’ Smith-Johannsen

Marc Affeld
June 15, 2026
June 15 – Herman ‘Jackrabbit’ Smith-Johannsen
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

The ski pioneer was born on this day back in 1875 in Norway. We spoke with his grandson, Peter Austin.

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Marc Affeld
June 14, 2026

June 14 – Province of Canada’s First Parliament

Marc Affeld
June 14, 2026
June 14 – Province of Canada’s First Parliament
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Back in 1841, preparations were being made in Kingston for the first parliament, held June 15th.

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Marc Affeld
June 13, 2026

June 13 – The Last Fatal Duel

Marc Affeld
June 13, 2026
June 13 – The Last Fatal Duel
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

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.

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Marc Affeld
June 9, 2026

June 9 – The Politics of The Great Depression

Marc Affeld
June 9, 2026
June 9 – The Politics of The Great Depression
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

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".

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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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