Today in Canadian History

The first ever policies regarding multiculturalism were announced on this date back in 1971.

Back in 1969, 46 nervous and excited performers stepped onstage at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Back in 1925, station opens in Aklavik, NWT as part of the North West Territories and Yukon Radio System.

Back in 1982, Laurie Skreslet became the first Canadian to reach the top of Mount Everest. Canadian Pat Morrow followed only days later.

Glenn Gould passed away on this day back in 1982. He was 50.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Officially opened in 1979, the 730 km highway was the first Canadian highway to cross the Arctic Circle, linking southern Canada and Arctic Canada.

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".

In 1978, five time Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser is born.

Back in 1993, University of Ottawa Heart Institute researchers announce plans to manufacture and market the world's first permanent artificial heart. Known as the Electrohydraulic Ventricular Assist Device (EVAD), the artificial heart could be implanted entirely in the body and was the first of its kind. We spoke with Dr. Tofy Mussivand.

We spoke with Linda McKay-Panos, the Executive Director of the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre, about the Canadian Bill of Rights.

Dr. David Mills discusses Wayne Gretzky's 1988 Trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings.

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 historian Josh Tavenor about Sir Humphrey Gilbert's 1583 claim of the land surrounding what is now St. John's, Newfoundland.

Back in 1952, fire damages Canada's Library of Parliament.

World War I flying ace "Billy" Bishop is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for service.

Back in 1874, social activist and first leader of the CCF, J.S. Woodsworth was born.