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Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
@CraigBaird
Jun 9, 2023 • 6 tweets • 3 min read • Read on X
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It is #PrideMonth and this is the story of Operation Soap.

On Feb. 5, 1981, Toronto Police raided four gay bathhouses in Toronto. Nearly 300 men were arrested in the largest mass arrest since the 1970 October Crisis.
The event is often called Canada's Stonewall.

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Tensions with Toronto Police and the gay community was especially bad at the time.
In 1979, the Toronto Police Association newsletter published an essay called "The Homosexual Fad" that portrayed gay men as militant deviants who recruited children into their lifestyle.

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In the raids, undercover police wore red dots on their clothing so police could "know who are the straights."
When the men were arrested, police used homophobic slurs & references to gassing homosexuals in Nazi death camps.

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Police compiled personal data on the men including who were married, their jobs, work superiors and the names and phone numbers of wives.
Of the 286 arrested, only 20 were charged. The bathhouses also suffered $50,000 in damages from police during the arrests.

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The next evening, 3000 people marched through Toronto to protest the arrests. As they approached Queens Park, they were met by 200 police officers. Violence broke out, leading to 11 arrests and several injuries on both sides.
Public outcry of the arrests continued.

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Despite the public outcry, the raiding of bath houses in Toronto did not stop.
Further raids would occur in 1981, 1983, 1996 and 2000.
Despite this, the Toronto Pride community continued to grow & be accepted. Today, Pride is one of Toronto's biggest annual celebrations.

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More from @CraigBaird

Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Feb 1
On this day in 1972, Neil Young released his fourth studio album, Harvest.
Poorly received when it was initially released, it has since been proclaimed a high-water mark of his career and one of the best albums by a Canadian artist in history.
Let's learn more!

🧵1/18 This image appears to be the cover art for the album "Harvest" by Neil Young. The design features an elegant, vintage typography with the words "Harvest" and "Neil Young" prominently displayed. Behind the text, there is a stylized orange sun, adding a warm and classic touch to the overall aesthetic. The background is a light beige color, which complements the design elements and gives it a timeless feel.
After releasing solo albums in 1968, 1969 and 1970, along with one album as part of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in 1970, Young bought the Broken Arrow Ranch.
While renovating his home, he injured his back which limited his ability to play electric guitar.

🧵2/18 This image is the cover art for the album "After the Gold Rush" by Neil Young. The cover features a black and white photograph of a person walking past a wrought iron fence against a brick wall. The person is dressed in dark clothing, and their face is partially obscured, adding a sense of mystery to the image. The title "After the Gold Rush" and the artist's name "Neil Young" are written in a colorful, somewhat distressed font at the top of the image, contrasting with the monochromatic background.
He was unable to stand up while performing, creating the need to play acoustic music.
At the same time, he began a relationship with actress Carrie Snodgress. His new home, and his relationship, inspired several songs for his new album.

🧵3/18 The photo is a black-and-white image of a person with short, styled hair, wearing a light-colored scarf tied around their neck and a long-sleeved top. The person is leaning on a surface with their arms crossed, displaying a ring on one hand. The background appears to be an outdoor setting with some architectural elements visible, suggesting an urban environment.
Read 19 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Jan 31
During the fur trade era, the Red River Jig emerged as a dance that blended European step-dancing with the traditional dances of the First Nations.
Over time, the dance became an important part of Metis culture.
Let's learn more!

🧵1/7 This black-and-white illustration depicts a lively scene inside a rustic, wooden cabin. At the center of the image, a couple is dancing energetically, with the woman holding up her skirt and the man with his arm raised, both appearing to be in mid-step. Surrounding them, a group of people are seated on the floor and on benches, watching the dancers with interest. Some are clapping, while others seem to be engaged in conversation or simply observing. The setting suggests a communal gathering or celebration, possibly a barn dance or a social event in a rural setting. The expressions and body ...
The origin of the Red River Jig is believed to be a combination of the dancing of the First Nations, French-Canadians and Scottish-Canadians.
The dance tended to be complex, with the foot never rising higher than the ankle.

🧵2/7 This black-and-white photo captures a joyful moment of two people dancing together. The man is dressed in traditional attire, wearing a loose-fitting shirt, pants, and boots, with a belt tied around his waist. The woman is also in traditional clothing, featuring a long, flowing skirt with a decorative belt and a blouse with long sleeves. They are holding hands, and their body language suggests they are in the midst of a lively dance, with their movements creating a sense of motion and energy.
Many fur trade clerks made sure to learn the Red River Jig so they could perform it alongside their trading counterparts to show friendship and an acceptance of other cultures.
Competition among dancers could be fierce during these performances.

🧵3/7 This black-and-white illustration depicts a lively scene of people dancing and playing music. In the foreground, a man is energetically playing the violin, his posture suggesting movement and enthusiasm. He is dressed in simple, loose-fitting clothing. To his right, a woman in a long dress with a sash at the waist is dancing, her dress flowing as she moves. Behind them, another figure is visible, possibly another musician or dancer, adding to the sense of a communal celebration.
Read 8 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Jan 27
On this day in 1980, six American diplomats, travelling with valid Canadian passports, escaped Iran.
They were hidden for months by Canadians, who played a massive role in their escape.
Let's learn the real (not the Argo version) story of The Canadian Caper.

🧵1/15 This photo shows a group of people standing behind a barrier, holding up a banner that reads "THANK YOU CANADA." The setting appears to be indoors, possibly at an event or a public gathering. The banner is prominently displayed, and there is a maple leaf symbol on the left side of the image, reinforcing the Canadian theme. The people in the photo seem to be expressing gratitude, likely towards Canada for some form of support or action. The atmosphere looks celebratory or appreciative.
Amid the Islamic Iranian Revolution in 1979, people stormed the US Embassy in Tehran on Nov. 4, 1979. Dozens of diplomats were captured and held hostage.
They demanded that the Shah of Iran come back to the country and face trial.

🧵2/15 This black-and-white photo captures a moment of protest or demonstration. In the foreground, a large crowd of people is gathered, many of whom appear to be raising their hands, possibly in solidarity or support. The people in the crowd are dressed in a variety of clothing, with many women wearing headscarves, indicating a cultural or religious context. In the background, three individuals are seen climbing over a brick wall with iron gates, suggesting they are trying to enter or exit the area where the crowd is gathered. The act of climbing over the wall could signify a sense of urgency or...
Six American diplomats were able to escape from the embassy. For six days they went from house-to-house. One of the diplomats, Robert Anders, contacted Canadian immigration officer John Sheardown (pictured). Sheardown invited them to stay in his home.

🧵3/15 This is a black-and-white portrait photo of an older man with a distinguished appearance. He has a full, white beard and mustache, and his expression is serious and contemplative. He is wearing a dark suit with a tie, which adds to his formal and dignified look. The lighting in the photo is soft, highlighting the texture of his beard and the lines on his face, giving the image a timeless quality. The background is plain, ensuring that the focus remains on the subject.
Read 16 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Jan 26
On this day in 1700 CE at approximately 9 p.m. PT, an 8.7-9.2 magnitude earthquake hit the coast of present-day British Columbia.
The Juan de Fuca plate slipped by 20 metres along 1,000 km fault rupture.
Let's learn more about this event

🧵1/10 This photo is a map of North America with a specific location marked by a red target symbol. The target symbol is located in the western United States, specifically in the region that includes parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and possibly parts of northern California and Nevada. This area is in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The map provides a broad geographical context, showing the continent of North America, including parts of Canada and Mexico, with a focus on the highlighted region.
While there are no written records of the earthquake, much of what happened has been related in the oral histories of the First Nations.
The exact time and day comes from the record of a tsunami that hit Japan hours after the earthquake.

🧵2/10 This image is a tsunami wave amplitude map produced by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, part of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and the National Weather Service. Here are the key details from the image: Elapsed Time: 4 hours and 25 minutes. UTC Time: 1700 on January 27, 2025, at 09:25 Z (Zulu time, which is equivalent to UTC). Tsunami Wave Amplitude: The color scale on the left indicates the amplitude of the tsunami wave in meters, ranging from less than 0.0 meters (blue) to over 3.0 meters (red). The map shows the Pacific Ocean with a focus on the western coast ...
One oral history tells of an earthquake and ocean wave that destroyed settlements in Pachena Bay. On the north end of Vancouver Island, the oral history states there was a nighttime earthquake that destroyed nearly every home in the settlement.

🧵3/10 This photo shows a geological cross-section from the Cascadia region, illustrating different layers of sediment and their historical significance. Here's a description of the layers from top to bottom: Grass: The topmost layer, indicating current vegetation. Tidal Mud: Below the grass, this layer is composed of mud deposited by tidal actions. Sand deposited by 1700 tsunami: This distinct layer of sand was laid down by a significant tsunami event in the year 1700. It's a clear marker of past seismic activity in the region. Topsoil: A layer of darker soil beneath the tsunami sand, representi...
Read 11 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Jan 25
In the summer of 1970, a CNR train journeyed across Canada. On that train was a non-stop party and jam session consisting of Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, The Band, Ian & Sylvia, and others who took part in the Festival Express.
Let's learn more!

🧵1/16 The photo depicts a group of people in what appears to be a cozy, enclosed space, possibly a train car or a lounge area. The setting is casual and relaxed, with several individuals seated on cushioned chairs and sofas arranged in a circular fashion, facing each other. Some people are holding guitars, suggesting a musical gathering or jam session. The atmosphere seems convivial, with people engaged in conversation and music. The walls have curtains and some framed pictures or posters, adding to the informal and intimate ambiance.
When the Transcontinental Pop Festival, better known as the Festival Express, was being planned there were planned concert stops in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver.
The festival was developed by Ken Walker and promoted by Eaton-Walker Associates.

🧵2/16 The photo is in black and white and shows a stage setup at what appears to be an outdoor venue, possibly a stadium or a large event space. In the background, there is a scoreboard with the words "HOME" and "VISITORS" partially visible, suggesting that this location might typically be used for sports events but is being repurposed for a different kind of gathering. On the stage, there are several musicians. One person is standing at the center, holding a guitar and singing into a microphone, appearing to be the lead performer. To the left, another musician is seated, pos...
The train consisted of 14 cars that included two engines, one diner, five sleepers, two lounge cars, a baggage car, two flat cars and a staff car.
The first stop was planned for Montreal at the Autostade on June 24, 1970.

🧵3/16 The photo is of a circular bumper sticker with a colorful design promoting an event called the "Festival Express." The central part of the sticker features a stylized blue eye with a white bird, possibly a dove, flying below it. Surrounding this central image, the text is arranged in a circular fashion. The top part of the circle reads "JUNE 24 - TORONTO" and "JUNE 27-28 - WINNIPEG," indicating the dates and locations of the festival's stops. The left side of the circle has "MONTREAL - CALGARY" and "JULY 4-5," while the right side reads &quo...
Read 17 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Jan 19
Over the course of centuries, Canadian English developed as its own distinct form of the language.
It takes elements from French, First Nation languages and United States English to form something completely unique.
Let's learn more about Canadian English!

🧵1/14 The photo depicts a crowd of people gathered in front of a large, historic building, which appears to be the Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada. The crowd is very festive, with many people waving Canadian flags and wearing clothing adorned with the Canadian flag. The atmosphere suggests a celebration or national event, likely Canada Day, given the prominence of the Canadian flags and the patriotic attire. Everyone seems to be in high spirits, smiling and looking up
There are several varieties of Canadian English.
There is Standard Canadian English, spoken from British Columbia to Ontario.
There is also Quebec English, Atlantic Canada English, Newfoundland English and Indigenous English.

🧵2/14 The photo features a colorful collage of the word "Hello" written in various languages and scripts. Here's a breakdown of some of the greetings shown: Konnichiwa (Japanese) Salam (Arabic, Persian) Aloha (Hawaiian) Salut (French) Merhaba (Turkish) Canam (not a standard greeting, possibly a typo or a specific dialect) Olá (Portuguese) Hej (Danish, Swedish) Bitaḱ (not a standard greeting, possibly a typo or a specific dialect) Selam (another form of Salam in Turkish or Amharic) Dravo (possibly a typo or a variation of "Zdravo" in Slavic languages) Ciao (Italian) Namaste (H...
Standard Canadian English is defined by the cot-caught merger, a chain shift of vowel sounds called the Canadian Shift and the Canadian Raising feature. That feature makes words like height and hide have different vowel qualities.

🧵3/14 A person standing on a hill overlooking a valley with a river as the sun rises or sets. They are holding a Canadian flag.
Read 15 tweets

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