2020 marks the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War. But making sense of dates can sometimes be confusing. At times, the Second World War offers a complicated narrative. But before I delve into the end of the Second World War and some of our connections, allow me a moment to step…
I recently received an inquiry asking about the former Windinglane Bird Sanctuary along Mississauga Road, and I thought it would be a fascinating story to share as part of the Way Back Wednesday series. Hance “Roy” Ivor (1880-1979) established Windinglane Bird Sanctuary along Mississauga Road, just to the north of what is now The Collegeway…
Last week I received an inquiry asking about the Ridgetown, the Great Lakes freighter that serves today as the breakwater for the harbour at Port Credit. Back on a May episode of Ask A Historian, I answered a question asking about the Ridgetown, and while I initially directed the inquiry to the YouTube video from…
The Civic Holiday is celebrated on the first Monday of August and it is a public holiday in some provinces and territories, although it is not a statutory holiday. When not given a local name, it is often referred to as the “Civic Holiday”. The Toronto Caribbean Carnival, formerly known as Caribana, coincides with this…
Established in 2013, Canada officially recognizes July 27 as Korean War Veterans Day – a date that commemorates the Korean Armistice Agreement, signed July 27, 1953. The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean forces invaded South Korea. The combat lasted until the signing of the armistice on July 27, 1953. The…
Some weeks, for this column, I ponder for some time what to write about. As you may know, for many weeks now, I have focused a great deal on past pandemics, doctors and medicine with connections to historic Mississauga. And there is always more to cover on this subject. But for this week’s article, I…
At noon, on Saturday, February 15, 1965, some 10,000 people gathered in Ottawa to witness the historic raising of the first Maple Leaf flag, bringing to an end the “great flag debate” that saw Canada adopt its first true National flag. The first flag raised was on a ceremonial flag pole outside of Centre Block….
There are some weeks that I struggle to find a narrative to share in our Way Back Wednesday series. Other weeks, I am bristling with ideas, but run short on research time to compile a story – I have many half-done articles in the works which will invariably become future articles in this series. And…
June marks National Indigenous History Month, with a particular date focus on June 21 and National Indigenous Peoples Day, encouraging Canadians to celebrate and learn more about the cultural identity and diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. In connecting with our ongoing “medical theme” with the Way Back Wednesday article series during these…
This too shall pass. As we are all challenged today by the COVID-19 virus, the Way Back Wednesday series will look back at past epidemics and health challenges, with a particular focus on those individuals who sought to aid the sick, and on how our landscape remembers those past times. Apart but together, please help…