Today in Canadian History

Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

Each episode of Today in Canadian History contains an interview with a Canadian professor, journalist, author, or “everyday” historian and focuses on a unique event or moment that took place on that day in Canadian history. Today in Canadian History presents Canada’s past in a unique and accessible manner. The series is designed to be a first step to learning more about our past. We would like to remind Canadians not just about what makes our country great, but what makes it complicated, beautiful, diverse, and ours. Feel free to get in touch with Marc & Joe via-email: [email protected]

  • 7 minutes 46 seconds
    April 1 – A Small Town Mayor and the First Offical Game of Curling
    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.
    1 April 2026, 5:12 am
  • 7 minutes 37 seconds
    March 31 – Last Tot of Rum for Navy
    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.
    31 March 2026, 5:10 am
  • 6 minutes 43 seconds
    March 30 – The Labrador Joins Newfoundland
    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.
    30 March 2026, 5:08 am
  • 8 minutes 18 seconds
    March 29: Budge Crawley Wins Oscar
    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.
    29 March 2026, 5:06 am
  • 8 minutes 22 seconds
    March 24 – Black Canadians Granted the Right to Vote
    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.
    24 March 2026, 5:03 am
  • 5 minutes 32 seconds
    March 23 – The Gazette Hits the Stands
    The Halifax Gazette, Canada's first newspaper, is published for the first time back in 1752.
    23 March 2026, 5:01 am
  • 5 minutes 19 seconds
    March 21 – The North West Company Merges with the Hudson’s Bay Company
    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.
    21 March 2026, 5:00 am
  • 7 minutes 20 seconds
    March 18 – The SS Beaver Arrived at the Pacific Coast
    The SS Beaver, the first steamship to operate in the Pacific Northwest, arrived at the coast on this day back in 1836.
    18 March 2026, 5:00 am
  • 10 minutes 8 seconds
    March 17 – Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
    Celebrated in Ireland, Canada and around the world. Have a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day!
    17 March 2026, 5:54 am
  • 9 minutes 53 seconds
    March 16 – St. Urho’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.
    16 March 2026, 5:52 am
  • 11 minutes 5 seconds
    March 15 – King’s College Founded
    King's College, later renamed University of Toronto, was founded by Royal Charter on this day back in 1827.
    15 March 2026, 5:49 am
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