Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Jun 18, 2023 23 tweets 7 min read Read on X
In honour of #FathersDay, here is a thread about the fathers of our Canadian Prime Ministers!

23. Pierre Trudeau (Justin Trudeau)
Pierre was Canada's 13th prime minister from 1968-1979 & 1980-1984.
Pierre & Justin are the only father and son to serve as PM of Canada. Image
22. Joseph Harris Harper (Stephen Harper)

Joseph Harper was an accountant for Imperial Oil. He had an avid interest in military history & meticulously researched military insignia for his 1992 book Old Colours Never Die. Image
21. Paul Martin Sr (Paul Martin Jr.)

One of Canada's most influential politicians, Paul Martin Sr. was a member of Parliament from 1935 to 1968. He served as a cabinet minister for three prime ministers & was heavily influential in the creation of Universal Healthcare. Image
20. Wellie Chretien (Jean Chretien)

Jean's father was a major influence on him. While the family grew up poor, he wanted his children to escape the working-class life. He made Jean read the dictionary as a young boy. He was also a lifelong Liberal.

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19. George Thomas Campbell (Kim Campbell)

Kim's father was born in Scotland and worked as a barrister. He had served with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada during the Second World War.
After Kim's mother left when Kim was 12, George raised Kim & her sister.

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18. Benedict Martin Mulroney (Brian Mulroney)

Benedict Mulroney worked as a paper mill electrician in Baie-Comeau, Quebec. He often worked overtime & also ran a repair business to earn extra money for his children to attend university. Image
17. Leonard Hugh Turner (John Turner)

Leonard, an English journalist, unfortunately died of a botched operation when John was still a toddler. Frank Ross, the future Lt. Governor of British Columbia, became John's stepfather in 1945 when John was 16. ImageImage
16. Charles Clark (Joe Clark)

Charles was a newspaper publisher in High River, Alberta, where he established the High River Times. The newspaper still exists. Joe (pictured here as a baby) worked at his dad's newspaper in several capacities. Image
15. Charles-Emile Trudeau (Pierre Trudeau)

Charles-Emile worked as a lawyer and then grew a fortune by building gas stations around the Montreal area & starting the Automobile Owners' Association.
He died suddenly of pneumonia in 1935 when he was 47. Image
14. Edwin Pearson (Lester B. Pearson)

Edwin was a Methodist, and later United Church, minister. He later became the minister at the Aurora Methodist Church. Edwin is standing to the right. Lester's grandfather Marmaduke, also a minister, is seated. Image
13. William Thomas Diefenbaker (John Diefenbaker)

The son of German immigrants, William Diefenbaker worked as a teacher and had a deep interest in history and politics. Out of the 28 students in his 1903 class, four, including his son, served in Parliament. Image
12. Jean-Baptiste-Moise Saint-Laurent (Louis St. Laurent)

Jean was a prominent person in the village of Compton, Quebec and his home was a social centre. He owned a store in the community, ran for the Quebec Legislature in 1894 & was a staunch Liberal. Image
11. Henry John Bennett (R.B. Bennett)

Henry was a shipbuilder in New Brunswick, but his business did not do well and the family was often short on money. He also attempted to work as a blacksmith, merchant and farmer. He also tried to develop a gypsum mine. Image
10. John King (William Lyon Mackenzie King)

John was a lawyer who had a struggling practice in Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario. Despite barely making ends meet, he employed servants and tutors in the home. King described his father as providing a happy home. Image
9. Joseph Meighen (Arthur Meighen)

Joseph owned a dairy farm near St. Mary's, Ontario and Arthur said his father instilled in him the value of an education & the importance of habits of industry and thrift.

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8. Andrew Borden (Sir Robert Borden)

Andrew was a farmer. He was called by his son, a man of good ability and excellent judgement, who was calm and philosophical. He added he lacked energy & had no aptitude for affairs.

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7. Carolus Laurier (Sir Wilfrid Laurier)

Carolus was bilingual and dynamic. He instilled in Wilfrid an interest in politics from an early age. He had several hobbies including astronomy & mathematics. He also served as mayor of the community and a local inventor. Image
6. Charles Tupper Sr. (Sir Charles Tupper)

Charles was the co-pastor of a Baptist Church in Amherst, Nova Scotia. He was also an accomplished Biblical scholar and wrote two books on Biblical Scriptures.

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5. John Bowell (Sir Mackenzie Bowell)

John emigrated to Canada with his family when Mackenzie was 10. He worked as a cabinet maker and taught that trade to his son.

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4. John Sparrow Thompson (Sir John Sparrow David Thompson)

John made his son recite poetry at school ceremonies and meetings of the Halifax Mechanics' Institute in order to overcome his shyness. He also taught his son shorthand.

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3. Joseph Abbott (Sir John Abbott)

Joseph was a prominent Anglican missionary and he wrote two books, one about emigrating to Canada and another that was his memoirs.
His great-great grandson was Christopher Plummer. Image
2. Alexander Mackenzie Sr. (Alexander Mackenzie)

Alexander was a carpenter and ship's joiner who moved frequently for work during the Napoleonic Wars. He died suddenly when his son was only 13, forcing Alexander to end his education to support the family.

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1. Hugh Macdonald (Sir John A. Macdonald)

Hugh was an unsuccessful merchant in Glasgow, forcing a move to Upper Canada when John was a child. Hugh then operated a series of businesses in Upper Canada & became the magistrate for Midland District.

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More from @CraigBaird

Dec 17
If you drive through Watson, Saskatchewan, you are going to see a very large Santa Claus greeting you.
The story of how that came to be goes back to one man who greeted children as Santa Claus at the train station during The Great Depression.
Let's learn more :)

🧵1/7 This image features a large statue of Santa Claus in Watson, a town known for its association with Santa Claus Day. Here are the key elements:  Santa Claus Statue:  The statue is prominently displayed in a park-like setting, with Santa Claus dressed in his traditional red and white outfit, holding a sack in one hand and waving with the other. Signage:  There is a sign in front of the statue that reads "Watson Home of the Original Santa Claus Day" with additional information about the event. Surroundings:  The area around the statue is grassy with trees in the background, suggestin...
Back in 1932, Jake Smith, the local hardware store owner, started to have Santa Claus greet children at his hardware store.
With how much the children enjoyed seeing Santa at his hardware store, Smith decided he wanted to expand things.

🧵2/7 This image depicts a large Santa Claus statue in Watson during winter. Here are the key elements:  Santa Claus Statue:  The statue is dressed in the traditional red and white Santa outfit, standing tall with one hand raised in a wave. Signage:  In front of the statue, there is a sign that reads "Watson Home of the Original Santa Claus Day," indicating the town's association with this festive event. Surroundings:  The ground is covered in snow, suggesting a winter setting. There are leafless trees in the background, consistent with the winter season. A covered picnic area is visibl...
When he approached local business owners, they were not interested.
So, Jack decided he would just do things himself if they weren't going to help.
In December 1932, he dressed up as Santa Claus and went to the CNR train station to greet children as they arrived.

🧵3/7 The image you provided appears to be a photograph of an older individual, but due to the resolution and size of the image, it's difficult to provide specific details about the person or the context of the photograph. The attire, including a tie and what seems to be a suit jacket, suggests a formal or professional setting.
Read 8 tweets
Dec 16
On Christmas Eve (sometimes New Year's Eve) in many French-Canadian homes, there is the celebration of Réveillon.
Dating back centuries, what began as a dinner for nobles was adopted by families in Canada to celebrate the season. Let's learn more :)

🧵1/9 That's a delicious-looking slice of tourtière, a traditional Canadian meat pie dish originating from the province of Quebec. It's typically made with minced pork or beef, onions, potatoes, and a blend of spices, all encased in a flaky pastry crust. Tourtière is often enjoyed during Christmas réveillon and New Year's Eve meals, but it's also a staple at many family gatherings throughout the year.
Réveillon was first documented in the 1600s in France. At the time, it was a night-long dinner party held by French nobles with lots of food and treat.
In New France and Quebec, it was adapted into a Christmas Eve/New Year's Eve celebration by families.

🧵2/9 This image depicts a luxurious, historical dining scene, likely from the 18th or early 19th century, given the style of clothing and decor. The setting is opulent, with a large chandelier illuminating the room, ornate candelabras on the tables, and richly dressed individuals, suggesting a gathering of high social standing or nobility. The men are in formal attire, possibly tailcoats or suits of the period, and the women in elaborate dresses with intricate designs, indicative of the fashion of that era.  The scene captures a moment of dining, with tables laden with food and drink, surrounded...
It became an important time for family to get together and to enjoy each other's company as Christmas Day dawned. With all that family coming out, it meant there was a lot of food.
The dish most often associated with Réveillon is Tourtière.

🧵3/9 This image is a vibrant illustration titled "Le Temps des Fêtes en Nouvelle-France," which translates to "The Holiday Season in New France." It depicts a festive scene from the period of New France, which was the area colonized by France in North America during the 16th to 18th centuries, primarily what is now parts of Canada.  The scene is set in what looks like a communal or family gathering, likely around Christmas or another significant holiday, given the festive atmosphere. People are dressed in period clothing typical of the 17th or 18th century, engaging in variou...
Read 10 tweets
Dec 11
Talks about the United States annexing Canada is nothing new.
In fact it has been going on since Canadian Confederation in 1867.
Enjoy this thread of annexation talk of the past :)

🧵1/9 This image shows two national flags flying side by side. The flag on the left is the national flag of Canada, featuring a red maple leaf in the center with red borders on the left and right sides. The flag on the right is the national flag of the United States, with its iconic stars and stripes design. Both flags are set against a backdrop of a cloudy sky, suggesting a moment of solidarity or cooperation between the two nations. Given your interest in Canadian history, this image might be particularly poignant as it symbolizes the relationship between Canada and its southern neighbor, the U...
In 1894, Senator Higgins of Delaware raised the question of annexation due to what he saw as the advantages enjoyed by Canadian farmers over the farmers in the eastern United States. He stated only full continental unity would give everyone a fair market share.

🧵2/9 This image appears to be a snippet from an old newspaper or publication, discussing a statement or opinion piece about a U.S. Senator who purportedly wants to annex Canada. The text suggests a rationale behind this desire: to prevent Canada from becoming a significant nation in its own right. The excerpt implies that the U.S. does not currently fear Canada but might if Canada were to grow in power or influence.  Given your interest in Canadian history, this piece might resonate with historical tensions and fears regarding American expansionism and Canadian sovereignty. Throughout history, t...
In February 1911, after the United States passed the Taft-Fielding Reciprocity Act, Congressman Clark from Missouri stated "We are preparing to annex Canada".
It was said that the annexation of Canada was the keynote of his address to Congress.

🧵3/9 This image shows a snippet from an old newspaper with the headline "THE AMERICAN MOTIVE FOR RECIPROCITY 'PACT IS DISCLOSED IN CONGRESS'". The article discusses a statement attributed to a Congressman Clark, who is quoted as saying, "We are preparing to annex Canada." This statement is presented in the context of a debate over a reciprocity pact between the United States and Canada, suggesting that the underlying American motive might be territorial expansion or political influence over Canada.  The text reflects historical tensions and fears regarding American intentions...
Read 9 tweets
Dec 8
The hamlet of Hazlet, Saskatchewan had one of the best baseball teams in Canada in the 80s. The Hazlet Elks.
Future Major Leaguers like Greg Mathews & Steve Reed played for them. The Elks even signed Mark McGwire and Randy Johnson.
Let's learn more about this team.

🧵1/10 This image shows a baseball team posing for a group photo, likely after a victory. The team members are all wearing matching uniforms with "Elks" written on the front, along with their jersey numbers. They are outdoors, possibly on a baseball field, with a clear blue sky and some clouds in the background. The team is arranged in two rows, with the front row kneeling and the back row standing. In the center of the front row, there is a trophy placed on the ground, indicating they have won a competition or championship. One player in the back row is holding up one finger, possibly s...
It all began in the late-1970s when the Hazlet Elks began playing in the South River Baseball League.
After winning three straight championships from 1979 to 1981, they decided to move up to the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League in 1982.

🧵2/10 This image shows an aerial view of a large outdoor event or gathering, possibly a fair, festival, or competition. The area is surrounded by open fields, indicating a rural or semi-rural location. There are numerous cars parked around the perimeter of the event space, which is divided into different sections.   In the center of the image, there is a dirt track or circular area, possibly used for activities like demolition derbies or tractor pulls. Surrounding this central area are various tents, stalls, and structures, likely housing vendors, exhibits, or food stalls. People can be seen walk...
Competing against much larger centres like Regina, Hazlet was the smallest community in league history.
In the team's first game, 400 people attended, four times the hamlet's population.
That first season, the Elks finished in last place.

🧵3/10 This black-and-white photo depicts a baseball team, the Hazlet Elks, posing for a group picture. The team members are wearing matching uniforms with "Hazlet Elks" written on the front. They are arranged in three rows, with the front row kneeling, the middle row sitting, and the back row standing. The image captures the camaraderie and team spirit typical of such sports teams. One individual in the front row is wearing a different shirt, possibly indicating a coach or a team mascot. The setting appears to be outdoors, likely at a baseball field or sports ground.
Read 11 tweets
Dec 6
On this day in 1917, the Mont-Blanc exploded in Halifax Harbour, releasing a 2.9 kiloton explosion.
The largest human-made explosion in history to that point, it killed nearly 2,000 people and injured 9,000.
Let's learn about this dark day.

🧵1/18 The image depicts a massive explosion column. The plume of smoke and ash rises high into the sky, indicating a powerful explosion.
During the First World War, Halifax Harbour was incredibly busy. Convoys were carrying men, livestock and supplies to France, while other ships were returning soldiers from the war.
All neutral ships going to Europe also had to be inspected at Halifax.

🧵2/18 The image shows a historical naval scene with several ships docked at a port. The ships appear to be from the early 20th century, possibly even the late 19th century, given their design and the black-and-white photograph. The port is bustling with activity, with numerous ships lined up along the dock. In the background, more ships are visible, suggesting a busy harbor or a significant naval presence. The buildings and infrastructure around the port also reflect an era where steamships were common, indicating this could be a period of significant maritime activity. The water is calm, and the...
SS Imo had sailed from the Netherlands enroute to New York.
While in Halifax Harbour, her departure was delayed due to her coal not arriving on time. The loading of fuel was not completed until after the submarine nets went up in the evening of Dec. 5.

🧵3/18 The image depicts the SS Imo, a Norwegian steamship that was involved in the Halifax Explosion of 1917. The photograph shows the ship docked, with its name "IMO NORGE" visible on the hull. The SS Imo was a cargo and passenger steamship built in 1889 by Sunderland Shipbuilding Co. in Sunderland, England. On December 6, 1917, the SS Imo collided with the French cargo ship SS Mont-Blanc in the harbor of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The collision resulted in the detonation of the Mont-Blanc's explosives cargo, causing one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history, devastating ...
Read 19 tweets
Dec 4
The classic Christmas film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer debuted in 1964.
It is typically associated with the United States, but every character (except one) was voiced by a Canadian.
Let's learn more about the Canadians who brought this movie to life :)

🧵1/12 This image is from the classic Christmas television special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1964). It features two of the main characters:  Hermey the Elf: On the left, Hermey is depicted with his blonde hair and wearing his blue and white outfit, which is typical for an elf in the North Pole setting. Hermey is known for wanting to be a dentist rather than making toys like the other elves. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: On the right, Rudolph is the young reindeer with the distinctive shiny red nose, which is a central element of the story. He is shown here with his large eyes a...
When work began on the movie, Rankin and Bass decided to use Canadian voice actors for every character except Sam the Snowman, who was voiced by Burt Ives.
One reason for this was the lower labour costs in Canada for voice actors.

🧵2/12 This image is from the classic Christmas television special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1964). It features three main characters:  Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: On the left, Rudolph is the young reindeer with the distinctive shiny red nose, known for his large eyes and brown fur. Hermey the Elf: In the middle, Hermey is depicted with his blonde hair and wearing his blue and white outfit, which is typical for an elf in the North Pole setting. Hermey is known for wanting to be a dentist rather than making toys like the other elves. Yukon Cornelius: On the right, Yukon Cornel...
Another major reason was that the United States had stopped making radio dramas for the most part.
In Canada, they were still made for the CBC and this gave Canada a much larger talent pool for voice actors than was available in the United States at the time.

🧵3/12 This image is from the classic Christmas television special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1964). It features two main characters:  Santa Claus: On the left, Santa is depicted with his iconic white beard, red nose, and large hands. He is shown in a moment of surprise or reaction, possibly to Rudolph's glowing red nose. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: On the right, Rudolph is the young reindeer with the distinctive shiny red nose. He has large eyes and brown fur with antlers, and in this scene, he appears to be interacting with Santa Claus, who is reacting to his nose.  The back...
Read 13 tweets

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