Share this page!

Enter URL or ID to Unroll

You can paste full URL like: https://x.com/threadreaderapp/status/1644127596119195649
or just the ID like: 1644127596119195649

How to get URL link on X (Twitter) App

  1. On the Twitter thread, click on or icon on the bottom
  2. Click again on or Share Via icon
  3. Click on Copy Link to Tweet
  4. Paste it above and click "Unroll Thread"!
  5. More info at Twitter Help
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx
@CraigBaird
Settler living on Treaty 6 land. Host of Canadian History Ehx, From John to Justin & Canada A Yearly Journey. All part of the Curiouscast Network
4 subscribers
Apr 23 • 15 tweets • 6 min read
Tom Sukanen went through a lot of pain and heartache after he came to North America.
One day he decided to build a ship by hand on his Saskatchewan homestead. He hoped he could use it sail home to Finland.
This is the tragic story of the man they called The Crazy Finn.

🧵1/14 The photo of Tom Sukanen is a black-and-white image showing a person wearing a high-collared shirt, standing outdoors with a blurred natural background. The image has a vintage, grainy texture. Tom Sukanen was born in 1878 in Finland. In 1906, he married Sanna Rintala. Two years later, he sailed to the United States to start a homestead in Minnesota. He left the pregnant Sanna in Finland. She joined him at the homestead a year later.

🧵2/14 The black-and-white photo shows a rustic sod house with a thatched roof, a wagon with large wheels in front, and a small animal nearby. The setting appears rural, with open land around.
Apr 23 • 18 tweets • 6 min read
Lester B. Pearson was born on this day in 1897.
He served as Prime Minister from 1963 to 1968, so let's look at his life in pictures!

Pearson (bottom right) with brothers Marmaduke and Vaughan, mother Anne, father Edwin and grandfather Marmaduke.

🧵1/18 A vintage black-and-white photo shows a family of seven posing outdoors in front of a brick building. An older man sits in the center, surrounded by two women, three boys, and a man, all dressed in early 20th-century clothing. The group appears formal, with some standing and others sitting on the grass. Lester B. Pearson during his time as a soldier in the First World War. He served as a flying officer in the Royal Flying Corps. His instructor called him "Mike" as he believed "Lester" was too mild a name for a pilot.
Mike remained a nickname for the rest of his life.

🧵2/18 The black-and-white photo shows Lester B. Pearson in a long, belted aviator coat and cap, standing in front of an early biplane with visible wings and struts, likely from the early 20th century.
Apr 20 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
Throughout the federal election campaign, I am looking at elections from Canada's past.
Today, it is the 1968 election.
This election saw new leaders for the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives but it is best known for what is now called Trudeaumania.

🧵1/12 A black-and-white photo shows Pierre Trudeau, wearing a striped shirt and jeans, smiling as he reaches out to a large, enthusiastic crowd of people, many of whom are reaching back toward him. The background includes a residential area with houses and a fence. After Canada's Centennial Year of 1967, Lester B. Pearson announced he was retiring.
A leadership race was held and on April 6, 1968, which was won by Pierre Trudeau on the fourth ballot.
Trudeau was the former Minister of Justice, who was first elected in 1965.

🧵2/12 A black-and-white photo captures Pierre Trudeau in a suit, smiling and waving with both hands to an excited crowd holding signs that read "Pierre Elliott Trudeau" and "We Love Trudeau." Supporters reach out with microphones and buttons, creating a lively atmosphere.
Apr 17 • 10 tweets • 4 min read
For many Canadians, when they are not feeling well, Canada Dry Ginger Ale is part of the recovery and always within arm's reach.
But who created Canada Dry, why does it have a crown, and why is it called "Canada Dry"?
This is the story of the ginger beverage!

🧵1/9 A can of Canada Dry Ginger Ale sits on a surface with a scenic backdrop of snow-capped mountains and a clear blue sky. The can is green with white and red labeling, displaying "CANADA DRY" and "SODA GINGEMBRE." The story of Canada Dry begins with John J. McLaughlin, a pharmacist from Enniskillen, Ontario. He was the son of Robert McLaughlin, founder of the McLaughlin Carriage and McLaughlin Motor Car.
In 1890, John was working at a soda factory in Brooklyn, New York.

🧵2/9 A pencil sketch of a bald man with a mustache, wearing a suit and tie, against a plain greenish background. A small pin with a symbol is on his lapel.
Apr 16 • 19 tweets • 7 min read
On this day in 1992, David Milgaard was released from prison.
He spent over two decades imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. His mother Joyce never gave up on him and fought for his release.
This is the story of the man who inspired the song Wheat Kings.

🧵1/18 This black-and-white photo depicts David Milgaard. He wears a long-sleeved shirt with rolled-up sleeves, his arms crossed, and gazes directly at the camera. Two small posters are pinned on the wall behind him. David Milgaard was born on July 7, 1952 in Winnipeg.
In January 1969, he was in Saskatoon with his friends Ron Wilson and Nichol John on a trip across Canada.
While visiting their friend Albert Cadrain, 20-year-old nursing student Gail Miller was found dead nearby.

🧵2/18 This black-and-white photo shows a person with short, dark hair wearing a collared shirt with a buttoned neckline. The image has a grainy texture, suggesting it may be from an older time period.
Apr 15 • 17 tweets • 7 min read
On this day in 2022, Mike Bossy died.
Among his many accomplishments, his 0.76 Goals-Per-Game Average remains a record to this day.
He is considered by some to be the greatest natural goal scorer in NHL history.
This is the story of Mike Bossy.

🧵1/16 A color photo shows Mike Bossy, a hockey player, smiling in a white jersey with blue and red accents. He holds a red, white, and blue hockey glove over his shoulder against a dark backdrop. Mike Bossy was born in Montreal on Jan. 22, 1957, the fifth son in a family of ten children.
As a child, he had a backyard rink he practiced on. In 1969, he played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, and then joined Laval National of the QMJHL.

🧵2/16 A black-and-white photo shows Mike Bossy in a hockey uniform with a "C" on his jersey, wearing a helmet and holding a stick. He appears to be interacting with a man in a suit in a hallway, with another person in a jacket nearby. A logo with a cross is on the wall.
Apr 12 • 21 tweets • 8 min read
On this day in 1980, Terry Fox dipped his leg into the Atlantic Ocean at St. John's to begin his run across Canada.
This is the story of the Marathon of Hope.

Listen to my episode on the Marathon of Hope 👇


📸CBC

🧵1/20 pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/tr…The photo shows Terry Fox and Doug Alward standing on a rocky shoreline by a body of water. Terry, on the left, wears a white shirt, shorts, and a prosthetic leg, while Doug, on the right, is in a brown jacket and pants. The background features a calm sea and distant land. In March 1977, Terry Fox was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a cancer that starts near the knees. The day before his leg was amputated, he read about the first amputee to complete the New York City Marathon and he became inspired.

📸Simon Fraser University

🧵2/20 The black-and-white photo shows Terry Fox in a starting position on a track, crouched with hands on the ground. He wears a sweatshirt with text, sweatpants, and sneakers, with a prosthetic leg visible. The background includes a fence and trees.
Apr 9 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
During this week in 1815, eruptions began at Mount Tambora in Indonesia.
It culminated in the most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded human history that lowered global temperatures in 1816.
This is the story of Canada's Year Without A Summer

🧵1/12 This painting depicts Mount Tambora erupting dramatically at sunset, with a massive plume of dark smoke and ash billowing into a fiery orange sky. The volcano looms over a calm sea, reflecting the glowing sun, while a small sailboat floats nearby and palm trees line the shore, capturing the awe-inspiring and destructive power of the 1815 eruption. After days of eruptions, Mount Tambora erupted with a volcanic explosivity index of 7.
The 37-45 sq-km of dense-rock equivalent material was thrown into the atmosphere and spread around the world.
This cooled global temperatures by .53 degrees Celsius.

🧵2/12 This painting depicts a chaotic scene of people fleeing as Mount Tambora erupts violently in the background. Dark smoke and fiery ash billow from the volcano under a stormy sky, while villagers in traditional clothing run in panic amidst palm trees, capturing the terror of the 1815 eruption.
Apr 5 • 15 tweets • 6 min read
Throughout the federal election campaign, I am looking at elections from Canada's past.
Today, it is the 1917 election, or Khaki Election.
This was one of the most divisive and bitter elections in Canadian history, which reshaped Canadian politics for decades to come.

🧵1/14 This black-and-white photo captures a group of soldiers in military uniforms, likely during World War I, in a room with a "List of Electors" sign on the wall. Two men at a table exchange documents, while others stand around, with papers and a basket on the table. Three years after the last election in 1911, the First World War began.
Sir Robert Borden was still Prime Minister and leader of the Conservatives.
The six year gap between the 1911 and 1917 election is the longest election gap in Canadian history.

🧵2/14 This black-and-white photo shows Sir Robert Borden, dressed in a long coat, standing on a platform at a formal outdoor event. He’s surrounded by military officers in uniform and civilians, with a large crowd in the background. A Union Jack flag and other banners are visible, suggesting a significant public gathering, possibly during World War I.
Mar 23 • 14 tweets • 5 min read
I have covered many aspects of Canada's border history in the past week.
Today, I am exploring why the Canadian border with Alaska extends so far south along the Pacific Coast and how the decision led to a desire for greater Canadian independence from Britain.

🧵1/13 The image is a map of Alaska and parts of Canada, showing geographical features like the Arctic and Pacific Oceans, the Yukon Territory, and British Columbia. Key locations such as Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau are marked, along with national parks like Denali and Glacier Bay. A red circle highlights the southeastern region, including Juneau and the Alexander Archipelago. The issue of the border dates back to 1825 when Russia (who owned Alaska at the time) signed the Treaty of Saint Petersburg with Britain. The treaty only focused on the coastal area as the interior was mountainous and of little interest to either country.

🧵2/13 This is a vintage map of Alaska, titled "Map of Alaska," showing detailed topography with shaded relief. It highlights the Arctic Circle, major rivers like the Tanana and Yukon, and mountain ranges. The map includes surrounding areas like the Bering Sea, Arctic Ocean, and parts of Canada, with an inset of the Bering Strait. The scale is in miles and kilometers, and longitude is marked west from Greenwich.
Mar 17 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
We have looked at the USA-Canada border through the Great Lakes and along the 49th Parallel.
Today, it is time to find out why there is an odd blip west of Lake Superior and east of Manitoba.
This is the story of the Northwest Angle.

🧵1/12 The photo is a map highlighting the Northwest Angle, a unique geographical area in Minnesota, USA, that extends into Lake of the Woods and is the only part of the contiguous United States north of the 49th parallel. The map also shows nearby locations such as Elm Point, Muskrat Bay, and parts of Manitoba and Ontario, Canada. The Northwest Angle is marked with an arrow, emphasizing its position relative to the surrounding regions and the international border. The Northwest Angle is farther north than any part of the Contiguous United States.
The area covers 197 square kilometres, and it all comes down to treaties negotiated between the United Kingdom and the United States centuries ago.

🧵2/12 The photo is a satellite image of the Northwest Angle, a distinctive region in Minnesota, USA, that protrudes northward into Lake of the Woods, making it the northernmost point of the contiguous United States. The image shows the international border between the United States and Canada, with the Northwest Angle and Angle Inlet labeled within the U.S. portion. Lake of the Woods, a large body of water, dominates the central part of the image, surrounded by green landmasses. The image includes a scale indicating distances up to 10 kilometers and highlights the natural landscape with varying s...
Mar 16 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
On this day in 1985, hockey great Eddie Shore died of liver cancer.
He was such a legend that he was name-dropped in Slap Shot. Shore was one of the greatest NHL players ever...and one of the meanest on the ice.
Let's learn more about the Edmonton Express!

🧵1/12 The image is a black-and-white photograph of a person wearing a hockey jersey with the text "Boston Bruins" and the team's bear logo prominently displayed on the front. The jersey features horizontal stripes on the sleeves and body. The background is plain, focusing attention on the person and their attire. Shore was born in Fort Qu'Appelle and grew up in Cupar, SK. Shore played his first organized hockey with the Cupar Canucks and then the Melville Millionaires.
In 1926, he started his professional career with the Regina Capitals, before playing for the Edmonton Eskimos.

🧵2/12 The image is a black-and-white photograph of a person wearing a vintage hockey jersey with the word "MILLIONAIRES" written on it. The jersey features horizontal stripes, and the person is standing among others, some of whom also wear similar jerseys. The background is plain, focusing on the players and their uniforms.
Mar 16 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
Before the dynasties, Richard, Beliveau, Lafleur and Roy, the Montreal Canadiens were in trouble.
The team nearly moved to Cleveland, and then nearly folded. But one man helped save them...Conn Smythe.
Let's learn how Montreal almost lost the Canadiens!

🧵1/12 The photo is a black-and-white image of a vintage hockey team, featuring players wearing early 20th-century uniforms with the "CH" logo, indicative of the Montreal Canadiens. The team is posed in two rows, with the front row seated and holding hockey sticks, and the back row standing. The goalkeeper is distinguishable by his larger leg pads and distinct equipment. The background shows a brick wall with large windows, suggesting an indoor or rink setting. In the early-1930s, the Canadiens were riding high. From 1927-28 to 1931-32, the team finished first four times and won two Stanley Cups.
At the time, the team was stacked with Hall of Famers such as Howie Morenz, Aurèle Joliat, Sylvio Mantha and George Hainsworth.

🧵2/12 This is a black-and-white photograph of Howie Morenz, standing against a textured backdrop, likely a curtain or fabric. The player is dressed in an early 20th-century hockey uniform, which includes a sweater with the "CH" logo, identifying him as a member of the Montreal Canadiens. The sweater has horizontal white stripes on the sleeves and a white band across the chest, with the "CH" prominently centered. He is wearing large, padded hockey gloves and holding a wooden hockey stick in his right hand, with the blade resting on the ground. His shorts are knee-length, and he...
Mar 15 • 14 tweets • 5 min read
A few days ago, I looked at how the international border through The Great Lakes was determined.
But what about the border west of Lake Superior?
It took decades to determine and wasn't just "drawn with a ruler by some guy".
Let's learn more!

🧵1/13 The photo shows a grassy, open landscape with a clear blue sky dotted with a few wispy clouds. The terrain appears to be a mix of tall, dry grass and patches of dirt, suggesting a rural or prairie setting. A narrow dirt path or road stretches across the scene from left to right, dividing the landscape. In the foreground, there is a vertical marker or signpost standing in the grass. The sign has text on it, with the most prominent words being "UNITED STATES AND CANADA" written vertically in large, bold letters. Below this, there is smaller text, likely providing additional informat... The 49th parallel border begins west of the Northwest Angle, a blip on the border that gives Minnesota part of the Lake of the Woods.
That 197 sq-km area came about due to treaties and a limited understanding of the geography west of Lake Superior.

🧵2/13 The image is a map highlighting a specific geographical area near the border between the United States and Canada. The map shows parts of Minnesota in the United States and Manitoba and Ontario in Canada. Key locations are labeled, including: Northwest Angle, which is situated in the northern part of Minnesota, extending into a body of water. Elm Point, located slightly to the southwest of Northwest Angle, near the border. Muskeg Bay, positioned near Elm Point. Lake of the Woods, a large lake that dominates the central part of the map, with Northwest Angle protruding into it.
Mar 12 • 17 tweets • 6 min read
From 1973 to 2022, Canada and Denmark were at war.
Over the course of the war, several soldiers on both sides were wounded....by hangovers. And it was all fought over a tiny island the size of a city block.
Let's learn about The Whisky War!

🧵1/16 The photo shows two side-by-side images. The left image depicts a group of people in military-style camouflage uniforms raising a Canadian flag on a pole surrounded by rocks, with a helicopter in the background. The right image shows a group of individuals, some in red uniforms and one in a dark coat, standing in front of a Danish flag on a pole, with a frozen landscape and mountains in the background. Hans Island is a tiny island, 1.3 square kilometres in size, located between Ellesmere Island and Greenland.
It has no trees, no grass and is not inhabited.
The island is in the territory of the Inuit, who have visited it periodically over the centuries.

🧵2/16 The image is a map showing a portion of the Arctic region, specifically focusing on the area between Canada and Greenland. The map highlights two islands: Ellesmere Island, which is part of Canada, and Hans Island, located between Ellesmere Island and Greenland. Ellesmere Island is labeled and marked with a black dot, while Hans Island is marked with a small circle and labeled in blue. The map also includes a small inset in the top right corner showing the broader Arctic region, with a dot indicating the location of this area within the Arctic Circle. The map is sourced from the BBC, as ind...
Mar 11 • 11 tweets • 4 min read
The Great Lakes hold 23 quadrillion litres of water and 20% of the world's fresh surface water supply.
But how did Canada and the USA determine the border between the Great Lakes and also agree on the use of the lakes?
Let's learn about the treaties!

🧵1/10 The photo is a satellite image of the Great Lakes region in North America. It prominently features the five Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—surrounded by lush green landmasses, including parts of the United States and Canada. The image shows varying shades of blue in the lakes, with some cloud cover scattered across the land. When the Treaty of Paris of 1783 ended the American Revolutionary War, the treaty set out the boundary between the USA and British North America.
That border went through the Great Lakes but it was not officially surveyed.

🧵2/10 The photo shows a historical document, specifically a page from the Treaty of Paris. The text is written in an elegant, cursive script typical of the 18th century. The document states that it was "Done at Paris the third day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three" and is signed by notable figures, including "John Adams," "B Franklin" (Benjamin Franklin), and "John Jay." The page is adorned with several red wax seals attached with ribbons, signifying its official nature and authenticity. The parchment appears a...
Mar 8 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
On this day in 1919, Bob Homme was born.
While he was born in the United States, he adopted Canada as his home. To generations of Canadians, he was The Friendly Giant.
Let's look up...waaaaay up...and learn about his life!

🧵1/12 The photo features an older man with white hair, smiling at the camera. He is dressed in a rustic, medieval-style outfit, including a tan tunic with a brown collar and black pants. In his hands, he holds a violin and a small stringed instrument, possibly a dulcimer or zither, placed on his lap. Over his shoulder, he carries a bagpipe. Accompanying him are two puppet-like figures: one is a colorful giraffe with blue spots and a harmonica in its mouth, positioned to his left, and the other is a chicken puppet perched on his right shoulder, dressed in a polka-dotted outfit. The background is ... Bob Homme was born in Stoughton, Wisconsin where his parents were teachers at the high school.
After he graduated from school, he attended the University of Wisconsin and graduated with a degree in economics.
He joined the Air National Guard in 1939.

🧵2/12 This black-and-white photo depicts a man with short hair, smiling at the camera. He is dressed in a medieval or folk-style outfit, featuring a loose-fitting tunic with a belt around his waist. He appears to be playing a set of bagpipes, with one hand on the chanter and the other supporting the bag, which is decorated with a polka-dot pattern. Behind him stands a puppet resembling a giraffe with large spots, holding a violin and bow, as if playing along. The background consists of a stone wall with a rounded, textured pattern, giving the scene a rustic or historical ambiance. The overall co...
Mar 4 • 11 tweets • 4 min read
In 1890, the Tariff Act came into place in the United States. It placed tariffs on imports of up to 50%.
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.

🧵1/10 The image is a black-and-white political cartoon depicting a man in a suit standing behind a counter labeled "Republican Platform." He is holding a bottle labeled "Untaxed Whiskey, 20¢ Gal." in one hand and a piece of cloth labeled "War-Taxed Common Cloth, Tariff 84%" in the other. Above the counter, a sign reads, "If you don’t see what you want, ask for it." The cartoon, signed by W.A. Rogers, appears to satirize the Republican Party's economic policies, highlighting the disparity in taxation between luxury items like whiskey and essential goods like... Put forward by William McKinley, who was a Congressman at that point, the Tariff Act put duties across imports ranging from 38% to 49.5%.
McKinley was called the Napoleon of Protection. While some items had tariffs eliminated, most had tariffs increased.

🧵2/10 The photo is a black-and-white portrait of a man wearing a formal dark suit, white shirt, and bow tie. His hair is neatly combed and parted to the side. He has a serious expression and is seated, with one hand resting on his lap. The background is plain and dark, keeping the focus on his attire and expression, suggesting a historical or official photograph, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century.
Mar 3 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
On this day in 1920, James Doohan was born in Vancouver.
He became famous for playing Scotty on Star Trek, but before he was chief engineer on a starship he was fighting for Canada in the Second World War.
Let's learn more about that time of his life!

🧵1/12 The photo shows two images side by side. On the left, a man wearing a red Starfleet uniform with a delta shield insignia, associated with the character Scotty from "Star Trek," is depicted in a futuristic setting. On the right, a young man in a military uniform, including a beret with an insignia, is shown outdoors, smiling, with trees in the background. Doohan was the youngest of four children born to Irish immigrants.
Early in Doohan's life, the family moved to Sarnia where he attended the Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technical School. He enlisted with the 102nd Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in 1938.

🧵2/12 The black-and-white photo shows a young man in a military uniform and an older woman in a floral dress sitting side by side on deck chairs in a garden. The man is smiling, and the woman has a calm expression. The background features greenery and a wooden fence.
Feb 24 • 17 tweets • 6 min read
On this day in 1986, Tommy Douglas died.
Considered one of the most important Canadians of the 20th century, he served as premier of Saskatchewan, led the federal NDP, and was instrumental in the creation of Medicare in Canada.
Let's explore his life :)

🧵1/16 The black-and-white photograph depicts a man in a suit and tie, wearing glasses, with a serious expression. The image has a classic, mid-20th-century style, suggesting it could be a formal portrait from that era. Tommy Douglas was born on Oct. 20, 1904 in Scotland. When he was seven, the family moved to Winnipeg. Around this time, he injured his knee and Osteomyelitis set in. He went through various operations and doctors stated he would lose the leg.

🧵2/16 This black-and-white photograph shows a man in a pinstripe suit, vest, and patterned tie, with his hands in his pockets. He has a calm expression and neatly combed hair, exuding a confident, dapper appearance typical of mid-20th-century formal portraits.
Feb 21 • 8 tweets • 3 min read
Tonight in Maple Creek, SK, two hockey teams are going to take to the ice to continue a four-decade tradition.
It is a hockey game between the Nekaneet First Nation and local ranchers.
Let's learn more about The Battle of the Little Big Puck!

📸Anthony Janzen

🧵1/7 The photo shows two individuals shaking hands on an ice rink. One person is dressed in traditional Indigenous regalia, including a colorful feathered headdress and red outfit, while the other wears a hockey uniform with a blue jersey and furry chaps, holding a hockey stick. Spectators and signs, including one for "Maple Creek, SK," are visible in the background, indicating a cultural or community hockey event. According to legend, the hockey game dates back to a hot day in July in the mid-1970s when some local ranchers and members of the Nekaneet First Nation were sitting in Maple Creek's Commercial Hotel having a beer together.

🧵2/7 The black-and-white photo shows a two-story building identified as the "Commercial Hotel." The facade features multiple windows, a balcony on the second floor, and signs for a "Licensed Beverage Room," "Dining Room," and "Hotel Lobby." A pickup truck is parked in front of the building, and the street appears quiet, suggesting a small town setting from a past era, likely mid-20th century.