Today in Canadian History

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

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".

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

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.

After a manhunt that lasted over one month, the man known only as "The Mad Trapper" is killed in Canada's North.

In 1946, Viola Desmond was forcibly removed from a theatre in New Glasgow, NS for refusing to move from whites-only section.

Happy Tommy Douglas Day! Tommy Douglas was born on this day in 1904. To learn more about Tommy Douglas, we spoke with C. Stuart Houston, an historian and author of "Tommy's Team : the People Behind the Douglas Years". Dr. Houston is a professor emeritus of the university of Saskatchewan, and an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Historian, ecologist and co-founder of Greenpeace International, Rex Weyler discusses the early days of Greenpeace.

Back in 1905, Saskatchewan and Alberta officially become provinces.

In 1814 British Troops descend upon Washington DC, prepared to capture the American capital. We spoke with historian and author Mark Zuehlke about the Burning of Washington and the War of 1812.

We spoke with Major Gustave Biéler's daughter Jacqueline Bieler, on the anniversary of his 1944 arrest while aiding the French Resistance in WWII.

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.

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.

Ian Fleming once claimed Sir William Stephenson to be the inspiration for James Bond. Stephenson passed away on this day back in 1989. To learn more we spoke with Gary Solar, President of the Intrepid Society.

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.

John Rae is born in Scotland on this day back in 1813.

Back in 1949, a fire on the ship kills over 115 people. The ship was docked on the shore of Lake Ontario.

Back in 1936, Dorothea Palmer, was arrested in Ontario. Her eventual trial became a landmark case in the Canadian birth control movement.

Ernest Manning was appointed Premier of Alberta on this date back in 1943.

Historian and author John English discusses the legacy of Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau.

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".

The famous Canadian painter returns to Toronto after more than two years in the West.

We spoke with astronaut Robert Thirsk: the Canadian who has spent the most time in space.

Park opened to public for the first time back in 1888.

We spoke with Dr. Linda Freeman, a professor at the University of Carleton.

Back in 1989, the Ontario provincial government (temporarily) names a building after Clara Brett Martin, the first woman lawyer in the British Empire.

Brent Townsend is the the artist who designed the polar bear on the reverse of the Canadian two dollar coin.

Treaty 5 is signed for the first time at Berens River, Manitoba back in 1875.

Construction begins on this day back in 1952, connecting Cape Breton Island by road to Nova Scotia.

Historian, ecologist and co-founder of Greenpeace International, Rex Weyler discusses the early days of Greenpeace.

Laura Ingersoll, later known as Laura Secord, is born on this day back in 1775. She warned British forces of an American attack in 1813.

We spoke with associate professor Pat Brennan about how WWII built Canada as a nation.

In Nova Scotia back in 1919, a hydrofoil craft co-created by Alexander Graham Bell hits 114 kms an hour, breaking the record for speed on water.

We spoke with historian and author Frances Backhouse about the birth of Dawson Klondike Schultz on Sept. 8, 1897 and the "Children of the Klondike"

We spoke with FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting spokesperson Ian Morrison about the launch of CBC Television.

Back in 1985, The Canadian Encyclopedia is released in Edmonton, Alberta.

Members of a joint French-American expedition celebrate the discovery of the wreckage of Titanic, which they had found on Sept. 1, 1985

Back in 1905, Saskatchewan and Alberta officially become provinces.

Back in 1988, Canadian Vicki Keith stepped onto the shore of Lake Ontario and became the first person to swim across all five of the Great Lakes.

In 1907, Leo-Ernest Ouimet opens the largest theater in North America exclusively dedicated to showing movies.

Back in 1912, Thomas Wilby and Jack Haney began their trip across Canada in a 1912 REO Special.

Joseph Burr Tyrrell passed away on this date in 1957. We spoke with the Royal Tyrrell Museum's Don Brinkman about Tyrrell and the beginning of the Canadian Dinosaur Rush.

Back in 1991, the grand chief of the Mikmaq passed away. He was a tireless advocate for aboriginal rights and justice issues.

Back in 1916, Canadian soldier Benjamin DeFehr spent his last night in custody. Come dawn, he was shot and killed by a firing squad. He was 1 of 25 Canadian soldiers executed during WWI.

In 1814 British Troops descend upon Washington DC, prepared to capture the American capital. We spoke with historian and author Mark Zuehlke about the Burning of Washington and the War of 1812.

Back in 1912 in New York, Quebec-born Mack Sennett releases his first Keystone Comedy film.

On this day back in 1999, it was announced that after nearly 130 years, the Eaton's department store was filing for bankruptcy protection.

Canada suffered over 3000 casualties on the shores of Dieppe, France on this day in 1942.

In 1988, Canadians Jeff MacInnis and Mike Beedell successfully sail through the passage on their boat, Perception. They are the first individuals to successfully sail the passage by wind power.

We spoke with Charlotte Gray, a Chair of Canada's History Society as well as author of Gold Diggers: Striking it rich in the Klondike about Dawson City, Yukon at the height of the rush.

We spoke with author and Professor at the University of Guelph, Alan Gordon, about Cartier and his 1535 "discovery".