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Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
@CraigBaird
May 17, 2025 • 16 tweets • 6 min read • Read on X
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When King George VI and Queen Elizabeth arrived in Canada on May 17, 1939, one of the biggest events in Canadian history began.
This is the story of the 1939 Royal Tour of Canada.

Listen to my episode about it here 👇


🧵1/15 pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/tr…The black-and-white photo shows Queen Elizabeth and King George VI in an open car. Queen Elizabeth, wearing a light-colored dress and a wide-brimmed hat, waves with a smile. King George VI, in a suit, sits beside her, looking forward. A top hat and flowers are visible in the foreground.
Prior to 1939, various members of the Royal Family had visited Canada but no reigning monarch had ever done so.
The idea for a Royal Tour was started by Governor General Lord Tweedsmuir who saw it as something that could foster Canadian identity.

🧵2/15 The black-and-white photo depicts Lord Tweedsmuir in a formal suit with a tie and a pocket square. His hair is neatly combed back, and he stands against a plain, dark background, giving the portrait a classic, dignified appearance.
At the coronation of King George VI in 1937, Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King consulted the monarch about a possible tour of Canada. He told the King it would bolster trans-Atlantic support for Britain in the event of war.

🧵3/15 The black-and-white photo captures King George VI's coronation, showing the royal family on a balcony. King George VI, in a crown and ornate robe, stands prominently. Queen Elizabeth, also crowned and adorned with pearls, is beside him. Others, including young princesses in tiaras and ceremonial attire, join them against a stone backdrop.
There were plans for the tour to happen in 1938 but after the death of Queen Elizabeth's mother, the Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne on June 23, 1938, it was put on hold for a year.
On May 17, 1939, the Royal Couple arrived on the Empress of Australia.

🧵4/15 The black-and-white photo shows King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on a ship's deck. Queen Elizabeth, in a coat and hat, holds gloves, while King George VI, in a suit and captain's hat, holds a camera, both standing near a railing.
Upon their arrival in Canada, the couple were greeted by enthusiastic crowds in Quebec City, Trois-Rivieres and Montreal. King George VI addressed the crowds in French. He also held audience in the Legislative Council chamber of the Parliament Building.

🧵5/15 The black-and-white photo depicts a formal ceremony in an ornate hall with draped curtains and large paintings. At the center, a group of dignitaries, including a woman in a long gown and a man in a military uniform, stand on a raised platform. A large crowd, dressed in formal attire, is seated and facing the platform, while others observe from a balcony above. The setting includes intricate decor, a cross on the wall, and a coat of arms above the platform.
When the Royal Couple arrived in Ottawa on May 20, Queen Elizabeth laid the cornerstone of the new Supreme Court of Canada building. King George VI also dedicated the National War Memorial in front of 10,000 war veterans. The couple then walked amongst the crowd.

🧵6/15 The black-and-white photo shows a group of people, including a woman in a white dress, walking in front of a large war memorial with a statue on top and figures at its base. A crowd gathers around, with buildings and bare trees in the background.
The couple then went to Parliament where King George VI gave Royal Assent to nine bills. A parade was also held in the city to celebrate the Royal Couple.
The Royal Couple spent two days in Ottawa and then went to Toronto where they attended the King's Plate.

🧵7/15 The black-and-white photo shows King George VI and Queen Elizabeth seated on thrones under a draped canopy during a formal ceremony. Queen Elizabeth wears a gown and crown, while King George VI is in a ceremonial uniform. Attendants in ornate attire surround them, with a small audience seated in front, set against an intricately carved backdrop with a coat of arms.
They dedicated Coronation Park, Queen Elizabeth Way and the Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls. They also dedicated various monuments including stone pillars on the Henley Bridge in St. Catharines.
After this, they began their westward journey across Canada.

🧵8/15 The black-and-white photo shows King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in an open carriage during a procession. Queen Elizabeth, in a light dress, fur stole, and hat, waves, while King George VI, in a suit and hat, sits beside her. They are accompanied by formally dressed attendants and escorted by mounted guards in plumed helmets.
When The Royal Couple reached Winnipeg, 100,000 people greeted them despite heavy rain. The King also made his longest address to the British Empire at Government House in the city.
The journey continued through Saskatchewan and Alberta to a break in Banff.

🧵9/15 The black-and-white photo shows King George VI seated at a table with a patterned cloth, holding papers. He is in a suit, focused on his speech, with two vintage microphones in front of him. The room has framed pictures on the walls, a door, and a cabinet in the background.
The King and Queen stayed at the Banff Springs Hotel for a couple days to rest. At one point, they took a walk alone together for a break from the constant crowds and people around them.
The journey continued on through British Columbia to Vancouver and Victoria.

🧵10/15 The black-and-white photo shows William Lyon Mackenzie King, Queen Elizabeth, and King George VI standing on a stone patio with a low wall, backed by snow-capped mountains and evergreen trees. Mackenzie King and King George VI wear suits, while Queen Elizabeth is in a light coat and hat, all engaged in conversation.
On the train journey east, the Royal Couple reached Edmonton on June 2 where 200,000 people welcomed them. Along the newly-named Kingsway, 70,000 people sat in grandstands.
On June 3, 150,000 came out to see the couple arrive in Saskatoon.

🧵11/15 The black-and-white photo shows a formal gathering on the steps of a grand building. A man speaks at a podium with microphones, while others, including a woman in a fur stole and hat, a man in a military uniform, and children, stand nearby. A crowd watches from the background.
At 10 p.m. on June 3, the couple reached Melville, SK. The town of 3,000 swelled to 60,000 and was one of the largest communities in the province for a few hours. I will have a post about this in a couple weeks.
From June 7 to 12, the couple visited the United States.

🧵12/15 The black-and-white photo shows King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on a train balcony. King George VI, in a suit, waves, while Queen Elizabeth, in a light dress, fur stole, and hat, holds flowers and smiles. The backdrop includes a striped awning and a lantern.
The couple then returned to Canada and toured Atlantic Provinces from June 12 to 15. A farewell luncheon was held in Halifax and then the couple boarded RMS Empress of Britain to do a separate tour of Newfoundland. After that, the couple returned to England.

🧵13/15 The black-and-white photo shows two people waving from the top deck of a ship, with naval officers nearby. The ship's structure includes small windows and a wooden cabin, set against a clear sky.
The Royal Couple said the tour was one of their happiest memories. While King George VI never returned, Queen Elizabeth did many times.
Their daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, did 22 official tours of Canada.

Learn more in my Deep Dive 👇


🧵14/15canadaehx.com/2022/01/01/the…
I hope you enjoyed that look at the 1939 Royal Tour.

If you enjoy my Canadian history content, you can support my work with a donation at 👇


*sources in next post*

🧵15/15buymeacoffee.com/craigu
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More from @CraigBaird

Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Jul 1
Today is Moving Day in Quebec.
Every year on this day, thousands of Quebec residents load up trucks and vans to move residences.
The origin of Moving Date dates back centuries to the era of New France.
This is the story.

📸 Montreal Gazette Archives

🧵 1/7 A historical black-and-white street scene shows a horse-drawn moving wagon loaded with mattresses, furniture, baskets and household goods outside a row of urban houses. A man stands on the wagon arranging items while a child carries a large basket down the front steps. Another loaded cart is partly visible at the right.
According to some research, the tradition of Moving Day dates back to New France when the colonial government forbid seigneurs (landlords) from evicting tenant farmers from the property (seigneuries) before the winter snows had melted.

🎨 Cornelius Krieghoff

🧵 2/7 A winter painting shows a horse-drawn sleigh travelling along a snowy road past a small house and fence. Two horses pull the sleigh while a person stands near the fence by the house. Bare trees, evergreen trees, snow-covered rooftops and a pale blue sky fill the background.
By the late-18th century, May 1 was the starting date for all legal agreements, which included rental leases. In 1866, the Civil Code of Lower Canada set May 1 as Moving Day in the province officially. This is how it remained for the next century.

🎨 Henri Julien

🧵 3/7 Image
Read 8 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Apr 25
The St. Lawrence Seaway was one of the most important construction projects in Canadian history.
It allows ships to reach the Great Lakes from the Atlantic Ocean, but the project came at a cost to 6,500 Canadians.
This is the story of The Lost Villages.

🧵 1/17 Aerial view of a wide waterway with two large cargo ships traveling in the same direction along a marked channel. The ships have long, flat decks with red cargo holds and white superstructures. The water is bordered by green islands and shoreline vegetation, with narrow strips of land separating channels. In the distance, the waterway continues toward industrial structures and more ships. The sky above is partly cloudy.
During construction, the Moses-Saunders Power Dam was built.
The dam sits on the border of the United States and Canada.
The dam led to rising waters in the area and the forced relocation of 6,500 people from the Lost Villages.

🧵2/17 Black-and-white aerial view of a large canal lock and dam complex under construction. A long row of lock gates and concrete walls stretches across the waterway. In the foreground, a narrower channel with control structures and machinery leads toward the main lock. Surrounding the site are excavated earth, dirt roads, and partially flooded areas. Sparse vegetation and farmland extend into the distance beyond the construction zone.
Residents were paid for the loss of their homes but the prices were low because land prices had fallen due to the anticipated flooding of the communities. Some residents were moved despite a refusal to accept money. In 2008, Ontario Hydro officially apologized.

🧵3/17 Black-and-white photograph of four people standing on a partially flooded roadway or causeway. Two adults stand on the left, with a child between them and another adult on the right. They face toward the left, looking out over the water. The roadway is wet and scattered with debris, and water stretches across both sides of the road. In the distance, low land and a line of trees are visible along the horizon.
Read 18 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Apr 6
Today is Tartan Day! The day was first celebrated in 1987 in Nova Scotia and has been celebrated nationally since 2010.
Canada's Official Tartan was designed in 1964 by David Weiser.
Here are the official (and unofficial) tartans of Canada's provinces and territories.

🧵1/16 A repeating tartan pattern made up of large squares in dark red and deep green, intersected by thick beige stripes. Thin black and yellow lines run through the design, creating smaller crosshatched sections within the larger squares. The pattern is evenly spaced and symmetrical across the image.
British Columbia:

This tartan was designed by Eric Ward in 1966 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the union of Vancouver Island and British Colony. It was adopted as the official tartan in 1974. It represents the Pacific Ocean, the forests and the Pacific Dogwood.

🧵2/16 A repeating tartan pattern featuring large red squares intersected with light blue bands. Dark green blocks appear between the red areas, while thin yellow and black lines run throughout the design, forming fine crosshatched details. The pattern is dense, with multiple overlapping stripes creating a layered, symmetrical grid across the image.
Alberta:

The official tartan was designed by Alison Lamb, director of the Edmonton Rehabilitation Society, and Ellen Neilsen, the weaving instructor. It was adopted in 1961. It represents the forests, grain fields and Alberta's official colours.

🧵3/16 A repeating tartan pattern with a light green base, overlaid by darker green squares. Wide pale yellow stripes run both vertically and horizontally, intersected by thin white and blue lines. Fine black lines add additional crosshatching, creating a structured grid of evenly spaced squares across the image.
Read 16 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Apr 4
From 1963 to 2009, Canadian Roman Catholic priests took to the ice for charity.
Through 907 games, they raised $4 million and only lost six games.
Not bad for a team whose backup goalie was a horse.
This is the story of the Flying Fathers!

🧵 1/10 A black-and-white photo of a person on an ice rink wearing a nun costume, including a long dark habit and white head covering. The person is skating in a low, forward-leaning position while holding a hockey stick with both hands. One leg is extended behind, and the other is bent, suggesting motion across the ice. A puck is visible near the blade of the stick. The background shows rink boards and a smooth ice surface.
In 1963, two priests from Northern Ontario, Les Costello and Brian McKee, heard about a boy who lost the use of an eye. His mother couldn't cover the medical bills so they organized a charity game to raise money.
Costello had played in the NHL for 15 games in 1948-49.

🧵2/10 A black-and-white portrait of Les Costello. He is smiling, facing slightly toward the camera, with short dark hair neatly styled. He wears a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey sweater featuring a large maple leaf crest with the team name across the front. The background is plain and light, keeping the focus on his face and upper body.
The game raised $5,000 to help the mother. Originally it was supposed to be a one-off event but proved to be so popular it became an annual tradition.
Calling themselves the Flying Fathers and Puckster Priests, they became known for their entertaining antics on the ice.

🧵3/10 A black-and-white photo of a hockey game in progress. In the foreground, a goaltender wearing large leg pads, a blocker, and a mask is positioned in front of the net, crouched and watching the play. A player wearing a jersey with the name Shephard and the number 42 is skating toward the net from the right side, holding a stick and facing the goalie. Another player is partly visible at the left edge of the frame. Behind the net, a man in a dark jersey and cap leans forward over the boards, holding a puck in one hand. Spectators sit in the stands behind glass panels, watching the action. The...
Read 11 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Mar 29
In 2006, after the Alberta government had a huge surplus, three million people received a cheque for $400.
Officially called Prosperity Bonus, the cheques were more widely known as Ralph Bucks, named after Premier Ralph Klein.
This is the story.

🧵 1/7 Image
In November 2004, the Progressive Conservatives won their 10th consecutive majority government. While it was another election win for the party, the party was worried after it saw the popular vote fall from 61.9% to 46.8%, its lowest since 1993.

🧵 2/7 Newspaper front page with the headline Klein wins big and a subheadline stating that Liberals and NDP gained seats at the Tories’ expense. A large central photo shows Ralph Klein smiling and raising his hand. On the left is an editorial column titled And now Mr. Premier, what is the plan? On the right, a smaller article discusses a Liberal breakthrough in Calgary with a small portrait of Kevin Taft. Additional text and smaller headlines appear along the bottom of the page.
In September 2005, Premier Ralph Klein announced that the province had a $6.8 billion surplus due to high oil and gas prices. This was far above the $2.8 billion that was previously estimated in the 2005-06 budget, and part of that would go to Albertans.

🧵 3/7 Ralph Klein standing outdoors in front of a building entrance, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and patterned tie. He faces slightly to the left with a neutral expression while speaking to reporters. Several microphones are held up toward him, including one with a visible Global logo. Glass doors and part of the building facade appear in the background.
Read 8 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Mar 21
From 1928 to 1972, the Alberta Eugenics Board imposed sterilization on individuals deemed by an appointed board to be "mentally defective".
In that time, 2,832 sterilizations were conducted, the vast majority without consent.
This is the story.

🧵 1/10 Black-and-white photograph of four adults posed outdoors in front of leafy trees. Two people stand in the back row: a woman on the left wearing a light-coloured dress with a cloche-style hat and a corsage pinned to her chest, and a man on the right in a suit and tie with his hands clasped in front of him. In the foreground, two men sit on the ground. The man on the left sits with one knee raised and his arm resting casually on it, while the man on the right sits beside him wearing round eyeglasses and a suit. Both are smiling slightly. The setting appears to be a garden or park, with dens...
In the early-1900s, eugenics was growing in popularity. By the early-1920s, eugenics supporters began to lobby Alberta's ruling party, the United Farmers of Alberta, to implement eugenics legislation. On March 25, 1927, the UFA introduced a sexual sterilization bill.

🧵 2/10 Black-and-white illustration of a large tree labeled Eugenics, with the word displayed prominently across a banner at the top of the tree. The trunk and roots spread outward, with various fields labeled along the roots, including biology, psychology, genetics, anthropology, history, geology, and archaeology. Text on either side of the tree reads Eugenics is the self direction on the left and of human evolution on the right. Additional labels appear among the roots, such as statistics, genealogy, sociology, education, and religion. A caption at the bottom reads Like a tree eugenics draws i...
The bill was opposed by the Conservative and Liberal parties and did not reach second reading. It was reintroduced on Feb. 23, 1928 and passed one month later.
The Act formed the Alberta Eugenics Board, which was chaired by Dr. J.M. MacEachran.

🧵 3/10 Black-and-white close-up portrait of a man outdoors. He is shown from the shoulders up, wearing a suit jacket, collared shirt, and tie. His hair is short and neatly combed, and he has a slight smile. The background is softly blurred with foliage, suggesting a garden or park setting.
Read 11 tweets

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