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
Host of the podcast\radio show Canadian History Ehx. Author of "Canada's Main Street: The Epic Story of The Trans-Canada Highway" Sharing Canada's history daily
4 subscribers
Mar 11 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
Father David Bauer loved the game of hockey.
A gifted player, he turned down playing pro hockey to become a priest.
But hockey never left him.
He mentored many players and created Canada's men's national hockey team program.
This is his story.

🧵 1/12 Father David Bauer stands facing the camera against a plain backdrop, smiling while holding a large hockey trophy mounted on a wide wooden base. He wears a dark clerical suit with a white Roman collar. The trophy has two ornate handles and a central cup, with small hockey player figurines positioned on the base near the front. Numerous engraved plaques are attached around the wooden base beneath the cup. David Bauer was born on Nov. 2, 1924 in Waterloo, Ontario. The youngest 11 children, his family loved hockey. His brother Bobby went on to play in the NHL, winning two Stanley Cups on his way to the Hockey Hall of Fame. David hoped to one day play in the NHL.

🧵 2/12 A young Father David Bauer posed for a studio portrait, facing the camera with a neutral expression. He has short, neatly combed dark hair parted to one side. He wears a hockey sweater with a large block letter “M” on the chest and darker sleeves. The background is a softly blurred studio backdrop.
Mar 7 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
On Aug. 17, 1923, the 71-branch Home Bank of Canada failed.
Faced with public outcry over constant bank failures, the government acted.
Since 1923, two Canadian banks have failed, while 17,000 have failed in the USA.
This is the story of Home Bank of Canada

🧵 1/12 A black-and-white photograph shows a group of men standing in front of a small wooden building with a sign reading “HOME BANK OF CANADA” above the entrance. The building has large front windows and a simple rectangular structure. Several men stand in a row near the doorway while one man sits on the ground in front. They wear early 20th-century clothing such as shirts with suspenders, jackets, and hats. Pieces of wood and debris lie scattered on the ground in the foreground, and open land with a few structures appears in the background. For the first half century of Canada's existence, the only safeguard that customers had with their banks was the competency of management and the hope that assets covered deposits. It was not a good system and by 1923, 40% of Canadian banks had failed.

🧵 2/12 A long line of people stands along the sidewalk outside a bank building on a city street. The crowd, made up of men and women wearing coats, hats, and long dresses typical of the early 20th century, stretches past the corner of the building. Large windows and stone walls frame the entrance, where signage related to the bank is posted on the glass. Streetcar tracks run along the road in the foreground, and two utility poles stand near the curb. The photograph is in black and white and shows the line extending around the corner as people wait outside the bank.
Mar 6 • 15 tweets • 6 min read
Every Canadian province and territory has a capital.
The names of those capitals come from many different sources.
Sometimes it is royalty, and sometimes it is an Indigenous name.
Here is how each capital received its name.

🧵 1/15 A simplified map of Canada showing the country divided into its provinces and territories, each shaded in different pastel colours. The large northern territory of Nunavut occupies much of the Arctic region with numerous islands extending into the surrounding ocean. The provinces stretch across the southern part of the country from British Columbia on the Pacific coast to the Atlantic provinces in the east. The surrounding oceans are coloured blue, while neighbouring land areas outside Canada are shown in gray. Victoria, British Columbia:

The site the city sits on was called Camosack by the local Indigenous, meaning "rush of water". In 1843, Fort Albert was founded but it was soon after renamed to Fort Victoria in honour of Queen Victoria.

🧵 2/15 A waterfront view of the British Columbia Parliament Buildings in Victoria at dusk. The large historic building with a central dome and smaller domes is outlined with rows of decorative lights. In the foreground is the Inner Harbour, where sailboats and small boats are moored at docks with tall masts rising above them. Wooden kiosks and walkways line the water’s edge, and flags hang along the harbor promenade. A tall evergreen tree stands on the lawn in front of the parliament building, while warm lights reflect off the calm water.
Mar 1 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
When John Diefenbaker cancelled the Avro Arrow, he announced that Canada would purchase 56 Bomarc Missiles from the USA.
When the public learned the missiles were only effective if tipped with nuclear warheads.
it sparked the Bomarc Missile Crisis.
This is the story.

🧵 1/12 A white missile is mounted upright on a pedestal outdoors against a blue sky. The plane is displayed vertically with its nose pointed upward and its wings extended horizontally. Roundels with a red maple leaf inside a blue circle are visible on each wing. Low industrial-style buildings with flat roofs stand behind the aircraft. During the Cold War in 1957, Canada and the United States created NORAD to handle continental air defence against the Soviet Union. As part of NORAD obligations, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker Canada was pressured to put Bomarc missiles on its soil.

🧵 2/12 Black-and-white photograph of John Diefenbaker seated at a desk in an office. He wears a dark suit, white shirt, and tie, with a folded pocket square visible. He holds an open book or document in both hands and looks toward the camera with a serious expression. Papers, notebooks, and writing instruments are arranged on the desk, along with glass inkwells and a pen holder. A telephone sits to one side. Behind him, a fireplace with a decorative mantel and a closed door are visible.
Feb 24 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
Tommy Douglas was one of the most important politicians in Canadian history.
The premier of Saskatchewan, he later led the federal NDP and was instrumental in bringing in Universal Healthcare.
In 2004, he was named The Greatest Canadian.
This is his story.

🧵 1/12 Tommy Douglas in a black-and-white studio portrait, shown from the chest up and facing slightly to the right. He is wearing round wire-rim glasses, a dark suit jacket, a white dress shirt, and a dark tie. His hair is neatly combed back. The background is plain and softly lit, with light falling across the right side of his face and the left side in gentle shadow. 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.

🧵2/12 Tommy Douglas in a black-and-white studio portrait, shown from the chest up. He is facing slightly to the left and looking toward the camera. He is wearing a dark suit jacket, a white dress shirt, and a patterned tie, with a pocket square visible. His hair is neatly styled with a side part. The background is plain and softly lit, with a smooth, even tone behind him.
Feb 20 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
On Feb. 20, 1959, the Avro Arrow program was cancelled by the Diefenbaker government.
Thousands of people lost their jobs, and the Canadian aeronautical and aviation sector was decimated. The day became known as Black Friday.
This is the story of the Arrow.

🧵 1/12 A black-and-white aerial view of the Avro Arrow, a delta-winged jet aircraft marked with "RL-201" and a Canadian maple leaf insignia, displayed on a tarmac surrounded by a large crowd of people and a stage with officials, near a building and parked cars. In the 1950s, with the dawn of the nuclear era, there was a concern that the Soviet Union would attack North America with bombers over the Canadian Arctic.
To deal with this possibility, the RCAF commissioned Avro Canada to build an all-weather nuclear interceptor.

🧵 2/12 A black-and-white photo of the Avro Arrow, a delta-winged jet aircraft marked with "RL-201," flying above the clouds with a clear sky in the background.
Feb 19 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
On Feb. 19, 1942, German soldiers marched through Winnipeg.
The mayor, premier and Lt. Governor were arrested, and the city was renamed Himmlerstadt. Books were burned, and the German flag flew across the city.
This is the story of Winnipeg's If Day.

🧵 1/12 Black-and-white photo of a group of uniformed soldiers standing outdoors in winter clothing and helmets, gathered around a small fire on the ground. Several hold stacks of papers and books, with loose pages visible as some are being dropped into the flames. The fire sits in front of a stone building entrance with round lamps on either side. A few onlookers stand behind the soldiers near the doorway. Snow or light-colored ground is visible underfoot. During the Second World War, Victory Bond Campaigns were held to raise money for the war effort. On Feb. 16, 1942, the second Victory Loan campaign began and Manitoba decided to go all out. The idea was to show what would happen if Germany invaded Canada.

🧵 2/12 A colorful wartime poster showing a smiling pilot in a brown leather flight jacket and helmet with goggles, holding a submachine gun across his chest. A military aircraft is partly visible behind him. Large text reads “Come on Canada!” at the top, “KEEP ME IN THE AIR,” and “BUY the New VICTORY BONDS.” The background is a painted sky with clouds, using bright, bold colors and high-contrast lettering.
Feb 14 • 11 tweets • 5 min read
Through 14 James Bond movies, she was known to the world as Miss Moneypenny.
A Golden Globe winner, she also wrote a weekly column for the Toronto Sun.
Her life was full and her legacy remains.
This is the story of Canadian Lois Maxwell.

🧵 1/10 Studio color portrait of Lois Maxwell against a light blue background. She is shown from the chest up, facing slightly to the right, with softly waved brown hair styled just above the shoulders. She wears a coral-pink jacket with white trim, a pearl necklace, and subtle makeup. Her expression is calm and composed, with even lighting and a smooth, uncluttered backdrop. Lois Hooker was born on Feb. 14, 1927 in Kitchener, Ontario. Soon after, the family moved to Toronto where her father William was the principal of Clinton School. When she was 15, Lois ran away from home to join the Canadian Women's Army Corps after lying about her age.

🧵 2/10 Lois Maxwell stands in a three-quarter pose beside a large column, photographed in black and white. She wears a long, dark, knee-length coat with wide sleeves and a belt, with one hand in a pocket. Her hair is pulled back, and she looks slightly to her left. The background shows a riveted metal wall with small arched openings, suggesting an industrial or ship-like setting. Light and shadow fall across the wall and her coat, creating strong contrast.
Jan 8 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
Billy Van was one of the most gifted comedians in Canadian history.
Through a decades-long career, he proved highly influential in the comedy world.
He is best known for playing nearly every character on The Hilarious House of Frightenstein.
This is his story.

🧵 1/12 A black-and-white photo of Billy Van wearing a dark cape with a high collar and a tuxedo-style outfit. He has slicked dark hair, sharply arched eyebrows, and heavy stage makeup around his eyes. One hand is raised with the index finger pointing upward, while the other arm is partially visible beneath the cape. The background is dark and out of focus, emphasizing the theatrical costume and facial expression. Billy Van was born on Aug. 11, 1934.
He toured with his brothers as a singing act called The Van Evera Brothers.
Van eventually left the group and formed The Billy Van Singers. Their single I Miss You/The Last Sunrise hit #29 on the CHUM Chart in Toronto in 1961

🧵2/12 A black-and-white studio portrait of billy van, shown from the shoulders up. He has short, neatly combed dark hair and a clean-shaven face. He is wearing a dark jacket over a light shirt. His head is slightly turned toward the camera, with a faint smile and direct gaze. The background is softly lit and plain, with no visible details.
Oct 20, 2025 • 10 tweets • 5 min read
Outside of Canada, many assume that the entire country uses bagged milk.
The truth is, only part of Canada have bagged milk in the fridge.
But why? Well, it comes down when Canada made the transition to the metric system.
This is the story!

🧵 1/9 A supermarket aisle displaying various dairy products, including bags of milk and cartons of cream, with brands such as "Sealtest" and "Lactantia" prominently featured. The products are arranged on shelves, with some bags of milk in blue and red packaging in the foreground and various milk and cream cartons in the background. The story of milk bags in Canada begins in the 1960s. At the time, milk came in glass bottles primarily. Some producers sold milk in cardboard or plastic jugs.
In Canada's Centennial Year of 1967, DuPont introduced milk bags to the country.

🧵 2/9 A supermarket shelf displaying bags of milk from the "Neilson" brand, available in 1% and 2% partly skimmed varieties. The bags are labeled with nutritional information, including "fresh partly skimmed milk" and "lait partiellement écrémé," and are branded with the "Foodland Ontario" logo. The packaging features blue and white designs with images of a milk glass and hand, and the bags are sized at 4 liters each.
Oct 18, 2025 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
Today is Persons Day.
This day honours The Persons Case, which ended in a victory for The Famous Five on Oct. 18, 1929. The ruling declared women to be persons under the law and qualified to sit in the Senate.
This is the story of that case.

🧵 1/12 A group of bronze statues depicting five people in a park setting, with some standing and others seated around a table, set against a snowy background with bare trees and a clear blue sky. When the British North America Act of 1867 was passed, it used the word "persons" to refer to more than one person, and "he" to refer to one person.
It was argued that only a man could be a person, which excluded women from many things.
Enter The Famous Five.

🧵2/12 A black-and-white painting depicting a large group of men in formal attire seated and standing around a long table in a room with three large arched windows, engaged in what appears to be a formal meeting or conference.
Oct 4, 2025 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
On Oct. 4, 1957, the Avro Arrow was unveiled with the intention of it being the RCAF's primary interceptor in the 1960s.
Less than two years later, the program was abruptly cancelled and 14,528 Avro employees were put out of work.
This is the story of the Arrow.

🧵 1/12 A black-and-white aerial view of the Avro Arrow, a delta-winged jet aircraft marked with "RL-201" and a Canadian maple leaf insignia, displayed on a tarmac surrounded by a large crowd of people and a stage with officials, near a building and parked cars. In the 1950s, with the dawn of the nuclear era, there was a concern that the Soviet Union would attack North America with bombers over the Canadian Arctic.
To deal with this possibility, the RCAF commissioned Avro Canada to build an all-weather nuclear interceptor.

🧵 2/12 A black-and-white photo of the Avro Arrow, a delta-winged jet aircraft marked with "RL-201," flying above the clouds with a clear sky in the background.
Sep 28, 2025 • 11 tweets • 5 min read
In 1885, Montreal was ravaged by smallpox.
To stem the spread of the disease that had killed thousands so far, public health officials enforced vaccinations. Those that mistrusted the vaccine rioted in the streets.
This is the story of the Montreal Smallpox Riots.

🧵 1/10 An old-fashioned illustration depicting a group of people in a train compartment. A man in a suit is assisting a woman who appears to be unwell, adjusting her clothing or providing aid. Other passengers, including a woman seated and a child standing nearby, observe the scene. The setting includes detailed period clothing and interior design, with luggage and fabric draped around. On Feb. 28, 1885, George Longley, a conductor with the Grand Trunk Railway, arrived in Montreal feeling sick. After visiting a doctor, he was diagnosed with smallpox. While he survived, the disease quickly began to spread throughout the city, infecting thousands.

🧵 2/10 An old-fashioned illustration of a hospital ward with several beds, each occupied by a patient covered with blankets. Nurses or caregivers in long dresses attend to the patients, with one standing near a table holding medical supplies. The room features large windows allowing natural light, and the scene is rendered in a detailed, cross-hatched style typical of historical engravings.
Sep 28, 2025 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
Today is British Home Child Day.
This is the annual day that Canada acknowledges and honours the over 100,000 children who were sent from the UK to Canada to work on farms and in homes.
They were separated from siblings and many were abused.
This is their story.

🧵 1/12 The black-and-white photo shows a large group of children and a few adults posing for a group photograph in front of a large industrial building with a "No Smoking" sign. The children, mostly girls, are dressed in coats, scarves, and hats, typical of early 20th-century attire, and are arranged in several rows, with some standing on the building's steps. The setting appears to be outdoors, possibly at a school or institution, with a utilitarian structure in the background. The Children's Friend Society was founded in London in 1830 to suppress "juvenile vagrancy" through "reformation and emigration". In 1833, 230 children were sent to Toronto and New Brunswick.
It was a few decades before more children were sent to Canada.

🧵2/12 The black-and-white photo depicts a group of children working in a field, harvesting crops. They are dressed in early 20th-century rural attire, including overalls and hats, and are using tools such as sickles and baskets to gather the harvest. The background features an open field with trees and hills under a clear sky.
Sep 22, 2025 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
On Sept. 22, 1994, a show debuted on CTV featuring a street-wise Chicago cop and a Mountie on the trail of the man who killed his father.
The critically-acclaimed hit reshaped Canadian television and made a star out of Paul Gross.
This is the story of Due South.

🧵 1/14 Sepia-toned promotional still from the TV series Due South, showing two men seated inside a rusted metal shipping container with open doors. On the left, a bald man in a gray pinstripe suit, white shirt, and red dotted tie sits with hands clasped, looking pensive. On the right, a man in a red Royal Canadian Mounted Police uniform with gold buttons and shoulder epaulets holds a beige cowboy hat on his knee, glancing sideways with a subtle smile, a wristwatch visible on his arm. Faded labels and chains hang on the container walls, with dim light filtering from outside. The idea for Due South came from one of the biggest movies of the 1980s. In 1986, Crocodile Dundee debuted and was a massive hit. Robert Lantos, chair of Alliance Communications, saw that success and spoke with CBS President Jeff Sagansky about creating a similar show.

🧵 2/14 Color promotional still from the film Crocodile Dundee, showing actor Paul Hogan as Mick Dundee grinning confidently while seated on a muddy riverbank, one arm draped over the massive open jaws of a snarling saltwater crocodile with visible sharp teeth and scaly skin. He wears a wide-brimmed cork hat, sleeveless tan leather vest with multiple pockets over bare chest, beaded necklace, leather wristbands, khaki cargo pants, and rugged boots. The background features shallow blue-green water with lily pads, lush green overhanging foliage, and misty tropical haze.
Sep 11, 2025 • 20 tweets • 8 min read
It was one of the most psychedelic, bizarre and beloved Canadian children's shows ever made.
Structured like a sketch comedy show around the comedic genius of Billy Van, it is well remembered even to this day.
This is the story of The Hilarious House of Frightenstein!

🧵 1/19 A colorful poster for "The Frightenstein Frightmare," featuring a collage of various monster and character faces, including a prominent green-faced figure with fangs, a werewolf, a Frankenstein-like figure, a superhero, and other eerie and whimsical characters, with the title in bold yellow and red text at the bottom. The story begins with Riff Markowitz, who was working for CHCH-TV in Hamilton in the late-1960s. He wanted to produce new shows for the station.
To come up with ideas, he held a brainstorming and spaghetti party at the Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto.

🧵2/19 A person with white hair, wearing a light-colored tuxedo with a black bow tie and a white pocket square, holds a microphone and a book or paper while standing on a stage with a dark, cloudy background and floral decorations.
Sep 11, 2025 • 17 tweets • 7 min read
Lorne Greene was many things through his life. He was an inventor, an acting teacher, a celebrated broadcaster, a singer and, of course, a great actor.
He may have been most famous as Ben Cartwright on Bonanza, but he was so much more than that.
This is his story.

🧵 1/16 Lorne Greene, wearing a cowboy hat, tan vest, and gray shirt, sits relaxed in a wooden folding chair on a grassy outdoor setting, with a smile and hands resting on the chair arms. Lorne Greene was born Lyon Himan Green to Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire. His mother called him Chaim. It is unknown when he added the 'e' to his last name.
It was as a drama instructor at Camp Arowhon in Algonquin Park that he developed his love of acting.

🧵2/16 Lorne Greene, a tall and lanky teenager at age 16, leans casually against a vintage car with one foot on the running board, wearing a white shirt, light-colored pants, and a jacket, with a building in the background, from his private collection.
Sep 8, 2025 • 12 tweets • 6 min read
Barbara Frum was one of the most respected journalists in Canadian history.
So well-known, she was parodied on many shows including CODCO, The Raccoons and Canadian Sesame Street.
Three decades after her death, she is still revered by many.
This is her story.

🧵 1/10 The photo shows Barbara Frum, a woman with short, wavy brown hair, wearing a light-colored blouse and a distinctive beaded necklace. She is seated in what appears to be a studio or office setting, with a microphone on a stand and a window in the background. The room has a pegboard wall and some equipment visible on the side. Barbara Frum was born in Niagara Falls on Sept. 8, 1937. In high school, she served on student council. She then went on to study history at the University of Toronto.
After she graduated, Frum started to do volunteer work and write for the Toronto Star as a freelancer.

🧵 2/10 The photo is a black-and-white image of a woman with short, voluminous, curly hair. She is wearing a striped turtleneck sweater under a textured, double-breasted coat with prominent buttons. Her right hand is raised near her face, with her fingers resting thoughtfully against her chin. The background is plain and slightly faded, giving the image a vintage appearance.
Sep 8, 2025 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
Happy Star Trek Day!
On Sept. 6, 1966, Star Trek debuted in Canada. Two days later on Sept. 8, the show aired in the rest of the world.
Here is a look at the times Canada appeared in various capacities in the fictional history of the Star Trek universe.

🧵 1/12 Two men in Starfleet uniforms, one in a gold shirt (Captain Kirk) and the other in a red shirt (Scotty), stand side by side holding futuristic devices, with a hexagonal-patterned background. Jean-Luc Picard and Canada:

Jacques Cartier landed in what became Canada in 1534. The second ship to land after Cartier's was captained by an ancestor of Jean-Luc Picard.
He mentioned this in a speech to Starfleet Academy in 2401.

🧵2/12 A historical painting of Jacques Cartier, a bearded man in Renaissance-era clothing with a black cloak and hat, standing on a ship's deck with one hand on his hip and the other touching his face, overlooking a sea under a cloudy sky.
A bald man in a red and black Starfleet uniform, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, with a Starfleet insignia on his chest, poses with his hand near his face against a dark background with faint hexagonal shapes.
Sep 7, 2025 • 10 tweets • 5 min read
When an engineer graduates in Canada, they are presented with an iron ring in a ceremony called The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer.
It is a century-old tradition that shares a connection to one of Canada's worst infrastructure disasters.
This is the story.

🧵1/8 A close-up image of two hands, one wearing a black sleeve and a watch, gently holding the hand of another person wearing a light-colored sleeve with a blue cuff. The hands are positioned near a large, metallic ring mounted on a stand, set against a backdrop of a room with red chairs and blurred figures, suggesting a formal or ceremonial event. In 1907, the Quebec Bridge collapsed while under construction, killing 75 people. It collapsed again in 1916, killing another 13.
The bridge was completed in 1917 but the collapses had a lasting impact on many in Canada.

🧵2/8 A black-and-white photograph of a collapsed bridge, with a large section of the structure broken and tilted into a river. The bridge's stone support tower remains partially intact, while twisted metal beams and debris are scattered around the water and shore. The scene appears calm, with the river reflecting parts of the wreckage.
Sep 5, 2025 • 12 tweets • 6 min read
On Sept. 5, 1697, Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville led an an attack against York Factory on the coast of Hudson Bay.
It remains the largest naval battle ever fought in the Canadian Arctic.
This is the story of the Battle of Hudson Bay.

🎨 Peter Rindlisbacher

🧵 1/11 A dramatic painting depicts a naval battle on a stormy sea, featuring two large sailing ships with multiple masts and sails, flying British flags. The central ship is engaged in combat, with cannon fire and smoke visible, while the other ship approaches amidst turbulent waves and a cloudy sky. After the Hudson's Bay Company began to build forts along Hudson Bay following 1670, the French wanted to claim the territory and end the disruption of their fur trade business.
In 1686, New France sent an overland expedition that captured three of four HBC forts.

🧵 2/11 Image