As public-school teachers, Joe and Marc both believe firmly in the value of accessible, public education and public listener-supported radio. The show is provided for free and without ads due to Joe and Marc’s volunteer roles as producers and hosts. They pay for hosting this site out of pocket to keep the show ad-free. If you would like to support the show, download, subscribe tell your friends. Also please support CJSW 90.9 FM in Calgary.
“The radio show Today in Canadian History epitomizes everything that Pierre Berton wanted from history popularizers... Joe Burima and Marc Affeld shine a spotlight on a personality, an event or a moment, and they do it in a way that makes listeners stop and think.”
As of 2019, Today in Canadian History has been listened to online over 2 million times. The show peaked at #1 in the iTunes Canada podcast charts.
From day one the goal of our series has been to present Canadian history in an interesting and accessible manner. We work to excite and inspire Canadians to learn more about our unique and complex past. Each episode uses a specific event or date from Canada's past to launch a larger discussion on an issue, individual, or moment in Canadian history. To date we have produced over 220 individual episodes and have spoken with over 200 Canadian historians, journalists, authors, and "everyday" historians. We have collaborated with contributors from all corners of Canada and are regularly contacted by listeners and supporters worldwide.
“It is rare to find online resources on Canadian history; it is most especially difficult to locate resources that support post-World War 2 Canadian history. “Today in Canadian History” fills this information gap. The podcasts are engaging, concise and informative and are presented in such a way that my students are easily able to follow along and learn from them.”
The Creators
Marc Affeld
Marc began volunteering at CJSW 90.9FM shortly after receiving a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta, where he majored in Political Science and History. He was employed at CJSW from 2011-2014 as the station’s News Director where he helped the station's volunteers produce their own podcasts that focused on food, urban design, student news, sustainability and aboriginal issues. Marc is currently a primary teacher in Calgary.
Joe Burima
Joe has been a volunteer with CJSW 90.9 FM radio in Calgary for over 10 years. He complemented his radio experience with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary. Focusing his studies on Canadian history and political science, Joe completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta with a major in history and a minor in political science. Not yet content to put down the books, Joe completed a post-graduate journalism program at Mount Royal University. He worked at CJSW from 2009-2014 as News Director then Program Director. Joe is currently a primary teacher in Calgary.
Highlight Episodes
Audio Takes a Moment To Begin
After a manhunt that lasted over one month, the man known only as “The Mad Trapper” is killed in Canada’s North. Joe Burima speaks with Barbara Smith, author of The Mad Trapper: Unearthing a Mystery to learn more.
Kenneth "The Gentleman Bandit" Leishman stole nearly $400 000 worth of Gold bullion from the Winnipeg International Airport on this date back in 1966. To learn more we spoke with historian Christian Cassidy of West End Dumplings & This Was Manitoba.
The creation of the first all-Black Canadian battalion in WWI.
British Trade Commissioner James Cross was released by members of the FLQ on this date back in 1970. We spoke with Professor William Tetley, a member of the Quebec Provincial Cabinet at the time of the crisis as well as author of "The October Crisis, 1970: An Insider's View".
Roy MacGregor, author of Canoe Lake discusses the disappearance of the now-famous Canadian painter back in 1917.
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.
Back in 1858 in the Province of Canada, the Cartier/Macdonald ministry pull the "The Double Shuffle", avoiding a by-election and staying in power.
We spoke with Major Gustave Biéler's daughter Jacqueline Bieler, on the anniversary of his 1944 arrest while aiding the French Resistance in WWII.
As Educators
Marc and Joe are both currently primary teachers at public schools in Calgary, Alberta. They are hoping to take all that they have learned in the creation of this series into the classroom, with the goal of inspiring in their students a passion for exploring Canada's rich and diverse history:
“The format is quite accessible for me. I download the show through iTunes, to my iPod shuffle, and listen while I am working. ... Like many folks interested in history I have a membership in local museum groups, attend the odd lecture or event and read the publications when I get time. While this traditional approach has great content too, it is not nearly as accessible in this digital era.”