Today in Canadian History

On this day back in 1938, the British-born conservationist Grey Owl passed away.

New Brunswick's 104th Foot Regiment arrived in Kingston on this date back in 1813. Their march from Fredericton covered over 1100km. To learn more we spoke to Historian and author of "The Road to Canada: The Grand Communications Route from Saint John to Quebec", Gary Campbell.

April 11, 1917 marked the third day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. We spoke with Dr. Patrick Brennan of the University of Calgary about the leadership of lieutenant-general Julian Byng.

A Canadian postmaster issued a provisional stamp on this date back in 1851 - two weeks before the first Canadian stamps were issued to the public. To learn more we spoke with George Pepall, the President of the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada.

Vancouver was incorporated as a city back in 1886. We spoke with civic historian John Atkin.

Over the years over 100 vessels and 100 people were victims of Ripple Rock. The underwater "mountain" that was Ripple Rock was blown-up on this day back in 1958.

Canadian diplomat and accused Soviet spy E. H. Norman jumped to his death from the roof of the Swedish Embassy in Cairo, Egypt on this day back in 1957. To learn more about Canada in the time of the Cold War we spoke with Dr. Bryan Palmer author of "Canada's 1960's: The Ironies of Identity in a Rebellious Era".

To learn about the story of a small town mayor in 1888, we spoke with Dr. Martin Raeb. To learn about the first game of curling we spoke with Dr. Anthony Morrow of the University of Waterloo.

Likely that some members of the Canadian Navy woke up with a hangover on this day back in 1972. The previous day they were served the last ration of rum.

On this day back in 1809, Labrador joined Newfoundland as a colony of the British Empire. To learn more about the history of Labrador, we spoke with author of "The Story of Labrador" Canadian Senator William Rompkey.

In 1976, F.R. "Budge" Crawley accepted an Academy Award for his film The Man Who Skied Down Everest. It was the first time a Canadian-made film received an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.

On March 24, 1837 Black Canadians were granted the right to vote in elections. To learn more we spoke with Rosemary Saidler, the President of the Ontario Black History Society.

The Halifax Gazette, Canada's first newspaper, is published for the first time back in 1752.

On March 21, 1821 the North West Company was forced to merge with the Hudson's Bay Company. To learn more we spoke with Marty Mascarin, of the Fort William Historical Park.

The SS Beaver, the first steamship to operate in the Pacific Northwest, arrived at the coast on this day back in 1836.

Celebrated in Ireland, Canada and around the world. Have a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day!

On March 16th Finnish Canadians gather to celebrate St. Urho's Day. To learn more I spoke with Dorothy Ahlgren, President of the Canadian Friends of Finland located in Ottawa.

King's College, later renamed University of Toronto, was founded by Royal Charter on this day back in 1827.

A vote to form The One Big Union occurred at a three day conference in Calgary during March of 1919. To learn more we spoke with Dr. Ken Coates a professor of History as well as the Dean of Arts at the University of Waterloo.

The first governor of the Colony of Vancouver Island arrived on the island on this day back in 1850. To learn more we spoke with John Adams historian and author of "Old Square-Toes and His Lady: The Life of James and Amelia Douglas".

The first Arctic Winter Games were held in Yellowknife on this day back in 1970

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, we spoke with Dr. Mona Gleason of the University of British Columbia about the history of women in Canada.

The Montreal Shamrocks won the Stanley Cup on this day back in 1900. To learn more we spoke with Dr. Matthew Barlow of John Abbott College.

Canadian comedian and actor John Candy passed away on this day back in 1994.

McGill University students participated in the first official game of indoor ice hockey on this day back in Montreal in 1875.