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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
Aug 14 • 7 tweets • 4 min read
🎶 You don't know what you got 'til it's gone 🎶
There was a time when walking into certain department stores included the beautiful aromas of wonderful food.
Such was the case with the Zellers Restaurant.
This is its story!

🧵 1/6 Image Zellers was established on Aug. 4, 1928 (some sources say 1931) in London, Ontario when Walter P. Zeller founded the first store. This first store was 7,000 square-feet and 60 women were hired on the opening day to work in 21 departments.

🧵 2/6 A black-and-white photograph of two men in formal suits sitting at a table, eating a meal with utensils. The table is set with plates, a glass of water, and a coffee cup. The background features a decorative curtain and ornate wall details.
Aug 6 • 10 tweets • 5 min read
Anna Swan was much more than someone who grew to be 7'11".
She acted in Shakespeare, excelled in music and loved to play the piano.
She lived the life she wanted, and found her soulmate in the process.
This is the story of a fascinating woman.

🧵 1/9 A sepia-toned vintage studio portrait photograph from the 19th century shows a very tall woman, Anna Swan, standing to the left and wearing a plaid full-length dress with puffed sleeves, a high collar, a beaded necklace, and a decorative tiara on her head. She poses with one hand resting on her hip. To her right stands a much shorter man dressed in a formal suit with a bow tie, his arms crossed as he looks up toward her. The background is plain, and the floor has a patterned carpet. The third of 13 children, Anna was 16 pounds at birth. By the age of four, she was 4 feet 6 inches. At six, she was 5 feet 2 inches.
She continued to grow and at 12 she was 6 feet 1 inches. At 18, she reached her full height of 7 feet 11 inches.

🧵2/9 A black-and-white vintage studio portrait from the 19th century shows four people of varying heights standing side by side. From left to right: a shorter man with a mustache and beard, dressed in a formal suit with a bow tie, holding a cane; a very tall man with a mustache, wearing a dark suit and tie, with his arm around the tall woman beside him; a very tall woman in an elaborate full-length dress with ruffled sleeves, a high collar, and floral hair adornment, holding a small fan or handkerchief; and a shorter woman in a long dress with puffed sleeves. The background is plain, and the flo...
Aug 3 • 8 tweets • 4 min read
When you wear denim jeans with a denim jacket, you create a very unique look. Sometimes you can even include a denim shirt.
This look is known as The Canadian Tuxedo....but why?
It all began in the 1950s in Vancouver. This is the story.

🧵 1/7 A young man with a large afro hairstyle and sunglasses, dressed in a denim jacket, jeans, and brown boots, posing with one hand on his hip and the other on a yellow and black motorcycle in a grassy rural field with trees and buildings in the background. It all began when Bing Crosby was checking into an upscale Vancouver hotel in 1951 after a hunting trip. Walking in, he was wearing a denim jacket and jeans.
The hotel clerk, Art Cameron, stated he thought the person coming in was an unhoused person.

🧵 2/7 Three people sitting on the ground against a wooden log fence in an outdoor setting: a young boy on the left in a blue shirt looking thoughtful, a middle-aged man in the center wearing a straw hat, red bandana, checkered shirt under a denim jacket, and holding a rope, and another boy on the right in a plaid shirt and cowboy hat smiling, with boots hanging on the fence above and a coiled rope nearby.
Aug 2 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
Alexander Graham Bell changed history with his creation of the first practical telephone.
He spent a lot of his life in Canada in Brantford and Nova Scotia, and had a large impact on our history.
This is the story of Bell and Canada.

🧵 1/12 Black and white portrait of Alexander Graham Bell, an elderly man with white hair and beard, wearing a suit and tie. Alexander Graham Bell was born on March 3, 1847 in Edinburgh, Scotland. When he was 23, his brother Melville died of tuberculosis. Bell's parents decided to move out of fear their other children would die. In August 1870, they moved to Canada and settled in Brantford.

🧵 2/12 Black and white portrait of a younger Alexander Graham Bell with dark curly hair, mustache, and beard, wearing a bow tie and suit, looking to the side.
Jul 31 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
On July 31, 1987, an F4 (possibly an F5) tornado hit the eastern parts of Edmonton and Strathcona County.
It left 27 dead, injured 300 and caused $332 million in damages.
This is the story of Black Friday.

📸 Steve Simon

🧵 1/12 The provided photo shows the iconic image of the 1987 Edmonton tornado, captured by photographer Steve Simon. It depicts a large, wedge-shaped funnel cloud descending from a dark storm sky, touching down over an industrial area known as Refinery Row in eastern Edmonton, Alberta. The tornado appears as a bright, contrasting formation against the blackened background, with buildings, utility poles, and structures visible in the foreground. For a week prior to July 31, a low pressure system in southwestern BC was feeding warm and humid air into central Alberta. Hot weather in Alberta was triggering thunderstorms all week.
Then, on July 31, a cold front developed in Western Alberta.

📸 Peter Cutler

🧵 2/12 The photo depicts the 1987 Edmonton tornado as a large, wedge-shaped funnel cloud, brightly illuminated against a dark stormy sky, descending and touching down over an industrial area with buildings, warehouses, and cylindrical storage tanks visible below. The image has a grainy texture typical of 1980s film photography.
Jul 29 • 7 tweets • 4 min read
On July 29, 1910 in Saskatoon, a fabled meeting of two prime ministers took place.
The prime minister of the time, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, met a young man selling newspapers named John Diefenbaker.
But...did it actually happen?
Let's investigate!

🧵 1/6 The photo shows a bronze statue in Saskatoon depicting a young John Diefenbaker as a newsboy in cap and knickers handing a newspaper to Sir Wilfrid Laurier in a suit holding a hat. It stands on a brick-paved area with a plaque at the base, amid a urban street with parked cars, buildings, trees, and flower planters. At the time, Sir Wilfrid Laurier was in Saskatoon to lay the cornerstone of the first building at the University of Saskatchewan.
John Diefenbaker, who was 15 at the time, was apparently selling newspapers on the corner when the two crossed paths.

🧵 2/6 The black-and-white photograph shows a close-up of a light-colored stone block embedded in a wall, engraved with the text: "THIS STONE WAS LAID BY SIR WILFRID LAURIER JULY - 29TH - 1910". Foliage is visible at the top left, and the stone sits above a concrete surface.
Jul 22 • 17 tweets • 6 min read
Sir Sandford Fleming was one of the most important Canadians of the 19th century.
Best known for his promotion of Standard Time, he had a massive impact on Canada from surveying our railroads to creating our first stamp.
Let's learn more about this amazing Canadian!

🧵1/16 Image Fleming was born on Jan. 7, 1827. When he was 14, he apprenticed as a surveyor and four years later moved to Canada. In 1849, he qualified as a surveyor in Canada.
That same year, he founded the Royal Canadian Institute with several friends.

🧵2/16 Image
Jul 20 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
James Doohan wasn’t just Scotty on Star Trek, he was also a Canadian who served his country and landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. He then went on to become a gifted actor, trained by fellow Canadian Lorne Greene.
This is his story.

🧵 1/12 Image Doohan was born in Vancouver to Irish immigrants on March 3, 1920. When he was young, the family moved to Sarnia, Ontario where his father worked as a pharmacist. After graduating from high school, Doohan enlisted with the Canadian Army.

🧵 2/12 Image
Jul 15 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
There was a time when everyone in Winnipeg shopped at "The Big Store".
With a staff of 8,000, it covered 21 acres.
On a busy day, 10% of Winnipegers shopped there and 50 cents of every shopping dollar was spent there.
This is the story of Eaton's Winnipeg store.

🧵 1/12 This vintage photo shows a nighttime city street, likely mid-20th century. A large brick building glows with red neon outlines and a prominent "EATONS" sign, indicating Eaton's department store. Festive lights form swirls, stars, and flowers across the facade and street, evoking holiday cheer. To the left is a "Woolworth" store with blue signage and window displays. The wet street reflects lights, with few pedestrians and a Christmas tree visible. Background includes taller buildings with "EATONS" and "BMO" signs. The image has a warm, grainy nostalg... By the start of the 20th century, Eaton's was one of the most important retailers in Canada. With the Eaton's catalogue, Canadians could order anything they needed to their homes from the company.
As the company grew, there was a decision to expand.

🧵 2/12 This antique cover art depicts Eaton's Spring and Summer Catalogue No. 106 from 1913. Against a deep blue background with ornate borders, it shows classical statues of women with garlands framing an aerial illustration of Toronto's industrial buildings, including factories with smokestacks. Central text in bold white letters reads "EATON'S SPRING AND SUMMER CATALOGUE," flanked by floral urns and topiary trees. Below, "THE T. EATON CO. LIMITED TORONTO CANADA" appears, with scrolls noting "No106" and "1913." The style evokes early 20th-century elegance ...
Jul 13 • 16 tweets • 6 min read
On July 13, 1953, future Oscar winner Alec Guinness spoke the first words of the first play performed at the Stratford Festival.
"Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this son of York."
This is its story of how the Stratford Festival began.

🧵 1/15 Black-and-white portrait of actor Alec Guinness as Richard III at Stratford Festival, long dark hair, stern face, in ornate armored tunic with sunburst emblem, studded skirt, greaves, holding crown and sword, posed dynamically against foggy black background, 1953. In the 19th century, Stratford, Ontario was a railroad town. By 1901, 40% of the town was employed by the Grand Trunk Railway.
In the 1920s, the community had become a major furniture manufacturing centre with 15% of Canada's furniture made there.

🧵 2/15 Vintage colorized postcard aerial view of the Avon River winding through Stratford, Ontario, Canada, with lush green parks, trees, small bridges, a long boathouse or pavilion on the right bank, distant town buildings and homes, under a clear sky, early 20th century.
Jul 9 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
On July 9, 1960, seven-year-old Roger Woodward was swept over Niagara Falls. He survived, becoming the first known person to survive going over the falls without a barrel.
Many daredevils have attempted to do the same thing.
This is the story of some of them.

🧵 1/13 The photo is a black-and-white image depicting a nurse attending to a young boy in a hospital bed. The nurse, dressed in a traditional uniform with a cap, is gently adjusting the boy's arm, which appears to be bandaged or injured. The boy is lying on a pillow, wearing a patterned hospital gown, and has a serious expression on his face. The background shows a simple hospital room with a bedside table, and the image has a vintage feel, likely from the mid-20th century. Annie Edson Taylor:

On Oct. 24, 1901, the 63-year-old Taylor went over the falls in a custom made barrel of oak and iron, padded with a mattress. She survived the journey with just a small gash on her forehead.

🧵 2/13 The photo is a black-and-white image featuring a woman standing next to a large wooden barrel. The woman is dressed in a long, dark dress with a high collar and a large hat adorned with feathers, typical of early 20th-century fashion. She has a flower pinned to her dress and is holding a small object in one hand. The barrel is inscribed with the text "ANNIE EDSON TAYLOR HEROINE OF NIAGARA FALLS OCT 24 1901 RUSSELL MILLS," indicating it is associated with Annie Edson Taylor's famous barrel ride over Niagara Falls. The background is plain, focusing attention on the woman and the bar...
Jun 24 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
Murray Sinclair was a Senator, judge and university chancellor.
But his greatest contribution was as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the early-2010s.
This is the story of a lifelong champion of Indigenous rights.

🧵 1/12 The photo shows an individual with long, gray hair wearing a dark shirt adorned with a prominent red design featuring abstract, wing-like patterns. The person is also wearing a necklace with a round pendant and a few beads. The background is a plain, textured wall in a neutral color. Murray Sinclair was born on Jan. 24, 1951 in Selkirk, Manitoba. Raised on the St. Peter's Reserve, he was his class valedictorian and Athlete of the Year at his high school in 1968.
He attended the University of Manitoba but left to care for his grandparents.

🧵 2/12 The photo is a black-and-white image of four children standing outdoors. The child on the far left wears a checkered shirt with overalls. The second child from the left is a girl in a polka-dotted dress with a collar. The third child, standing behind, wears a plaid shirt, and the child on the far right is dressed in a sweater and pants. The background shows a rural setting with trees and a fence. The photo appears aged, with visible scratches and wear.
Jun 24 • 11 tweets • 4 min read
Olga Kotelko may be the greatest athlete Canada has ever produced.
She held 30 world records and won over 750 gold medals. And she did it all from her 70s to 90s.
This is the story of this legendary athlete!

🧵 1/10 The photo depicts an elderly woman with gray hair participating in a shot put event. She is wearing a purple athletic shirt, black leggings, and white athletic shoes. She is in the middle of a throwing motion, holding a shot put ball in her right hand, with her left arm extended for balance. The setting appears to be an outdoor track and field area, with a dirt throwing circle and a grassy field in the background. The lighting suggests it might be taken during the evening or under artificial lights. Olga Kotelko was born on March 2, 1919 in Smuts, Saskatchewan. When she was 22, she graduated from Saskatoon Normal School and taught at a one-room school near Vonda, Saskatchewan.
After her marriage broke up, she raised her two children.

🧵 2/10 The photo shows an elderly woman with gray hair, wearing glasses and a red jacket with the "McGill" logo, standing indoors. She is smiling and has her hands clasped in front of her. In front of her on a wooden table is a gold trophy with a star-topped figure, labeled "Athlete of the Year Master 2018 sponsored by SB1 Insurance Olga Kotelko." The background features a shelf with various medals, ribbons, and framed photos, indicating a collection of awards and memorabilia.
Jun 23 • 15 tweets • 6 min read
On June 23, 1611, Henry Hudson, his son and six others were put into a boat in Hudson Bay by mutineers and cast adrift. From that point, they disappeared from history.
So what happened to Henry Hudson?
Let's explore the mystery

🧵1/14 The image depicts a scene with three individuals on a wooden boat surrounded by icy waters and towering icebergs. The background features snow-covered mountains under a cloudy sky. One person is seated on the left, wearing a fur-lined garment and a red hat, appearing to be in contemplation or conversation with the others. Another individual, dressed in dark clothing, sits in the middle, holding the hand of a child who is seated on the floor of the boat. The child is dressed in warm, colorful clothing. Henry Hudson was a celebrated explorer during the early-1600s.
In 1607 and 1608, he made two attempts to find the Northeast Passage. His explorations of North America laid the foundation for Dutch colonization of the present-day New York region.

🧵2/14 The image depicts a person dressed in historical attire, specifically from the Renaissance or Elizabethan era. The individual is wearing a dark, possibly black, doublet with buttons down the front and a large, white, ruffled collar, characteristic of the fashion during that period. The background is plain and neutral, which helps to focus attention on the attire.
Jun 22 • 12 tweets • 5 min read
On June 22, 1971, Joni Mitchell's magnum opus album, Blue, was released.
It is not only hailed as her best album, but one of the greatest albums ever made.
The album is celebrated to this day by critics and fans alike.
This is the story of Joni Mitchell's fourth album.

🧵 1/11 The photo is the cover art for the album "Blue" by Joni Mitchell. It features a close-up, blue-toned image of a person with long hair, captured in a contemplative pose with a cigarette near their mouth. The title "BLUE" and the artist's name "JONI MITCHELL" are prominently displayed in white text on the left side against the solid blue background. The first three albums in Mitchell's career were acclaimed but by 1970 she needed a break from performing.
In the spring of 1970, she set off on vacation in Europe. While in Crete, she wrote some of the songs that appeared on Blue.

🧵 2/11 The photo is the cover art for the album "Clouds" by Joni Mitchell. It features an artistic illustration of a person with long, blonde hair holding a red flower. The background depicts a vibrant sunset or sunrise over a landscape with a lake, trees, and a distant building or castle. The title "Clouds" and the artist's name "Joni Mitchell" are written in black text on the left side, with a stereo logo and catalog number (RI 6341) in the top right corner. The artwork is signed "Joni Mitchell 1969" at the bottom.
Jun 18 • 16 tweets • 6 min read
For five decades, the Royal Canadian Air Farce was a part of Canada's media landscape. From its legendary CBC radio show, to the highly-successful television version, the group has had a big impact on our comedy landscape.
This is its story.

🧵 1/15 The photo shows four people sitting around a table in what appears to be a donut shop, with shelves of donuts in the background. They are holding mugs with a "Mister Bag Donuts" logo, raising them as if in a toast. The table has a magazine, a plate with a donut, and a small pitcher, possibly of milk or cream. The individuals are dressed in casual, layered clothing, including plaid shirts, jackets, and hats. The setting has a cozy, retro vibe with red and beige tones. The Royal Canadian Air Farce began in 1970 as The Jest Society, a play on Pierre Trudeau's goal of making Canada a "just society". The cast included John Morgan, Martin Bronstein, Patrick Conlon, Gay Claitman and Roger Abbott.

🧵 2/15 Image
Jun 15 • 21 tweets • 8 min read
Tommy Prince was one of the most decorated soldiers in Canadian history through two different wars.
But after his war service finished, he was forgotten by the country he had served.
This is the story of Tommy Prince.

🧵 1/20 The black-and-white photo shows Tommy Prince in a military uniform. He is wearing a beret with an insignia and a jacket with a tie, featuring shoulder stripes and insignia indicating rank or service. The background is plain, emphasizing his formal military attire and composed demeanor. Tommy Prince's ancestors had served in support of the Crown during the 1870 Red River Resistance, and his father Chief William Prince was a member of the Nile Expedition in 1885. Family members also served in the First World War.

🧵2/20 The black-and-white photo depicts a large group of people standing in front of a grand, historic building with a prominent central tower and Gothic architectural features, such as pointed arches and detailed stonework. The crowd, consisting of men dressed in early 20th-century attire including suits and hats, is arranged in several rows, suggesting a formal gathering or event. The building's facade includes multiple windows and ornate decorations, indicating it may be a significant public or governmental structure.
Jun 14 • 17 tweets • 6 min read
Chief Dan George led an amazing life.
A gifted poet. An activist for his people. A movie star.
Remembered as the first Indigenous person to receive an Academy Award nomination, he was so much more than that.
This is his story.

🧵 1/16 The photo shows an individual with long, white hair, wearing a dark shirt and a patterned tie with a beaded medallion necklace. They are holding a carved wooden staff topped with a totem-like figure, featuring a face and outstretched wings, possibly representing an eagle or another significant symbol. The background is an outdoor setting with blurred greenery, suggesting a forest or wooded area. The overall composition suggests a cultural or ceremonial context, possibly related to Indigenous traditions. Dan George was born Geswanouth Slahoot on the Burrard Reserve on July 24, 1899.
He was a descendant of Chief Wautsauk, who met Capt. George Vancouver when he landed in the area in 1792.
From an early age, he went by the first name Daniel.

🧵2/16 The photo is a black-and-white image of an elderly individual with long, white hair, wearing traditional attire. The person is dressed in a dark, buttoned garment with large white buttons running down the front and a patterned scarf or shawl. They also wear a headpiece made of what appears to be woven material or feathers. The background features an outdoor setting with a wooden building and some trees, suggesting a rural or historical environment.
Jun 9 • 9 tweets • 4 min read
On July 12, 1855, some drunk clowns got into a massive brawl with a bunch of firefighters at a Toronto brothel.
By the next day, several firefighters were beaten and the circus was burned to the ground.
This is the story of Toronto's Firemen And Clown Brothel Riot.

🧵1/8 The image depicts a vintage scene inside a circus tent, featuring several individuals dressed in colorful, theatrical costumes. A central figure, a clown with a white face, red nose, and green-and-pink ruffled outfit, stands holding a small mirror. Surrounding the clown are other performers, including a man in a maroon outfit adjusting his appearance, another clown in a blue-and-red costume, and a person in a top hat and formal attire. In the foreground, a performer in a yellow-and-red outfit is working with a large black cloth or costume piece. The background shows additional circus perfor... In 1855, Toronto was a bustling city in between its two terms as the capital of the Province of Canada.
On July 12 of that year, the Star Troupe Menagerie and Circus arrived in the city for a series of shows.

🧵 2/8 The image is a black-and-white aerial view of a densely packed town or city from an earlier era, likely the 19th century. The scene features numerous closely built houses and buildings with pitched roofs, many of which have chimneys. The architecture includes a mix of brick and wooden structures, with some buildings showing multiple stories. In the background, a church steeple rises above the rooftops, serving as a focal point. The streets are narrow and winding, and the overall atmosphere is hazy, suggesting industrial activity or fog. The image has a historical, vintage feel, typical of e...
Jun 5 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
Coming Out was a groundbreaking documentary series that aired in Canada in 1972.
It was the first Canadian television program to target the LGBTQ community.
It became a landmark series that is mostly forgotten today.
This is its story.

🧵1/4 The black-and-white photo captures a group of people participating in a gay rights protest on a city street, likely during a pride event. The crowd holds various signs with messages like "REPEAL ALL ANTI-GAY LAWS," "GLAD TO BE GAY," "MANY OF YOU ARE GAY TOO!," and "CANADIAN GAY PRIDE WEEK," advocating for gay rights and visibility. Some signs feature symbols like the lambda, associated with gay liberation. The protesters are dressed in casual clothing, with some wearing tank tops and others in jackets, reflecting the era's fashion. The background show... In 1972, only three years after homosexuality was decriminalized in Canada, Maclean-Hunter's cable community channel in Toronto launched Coming Out.
The series was targeted specifically to an LGBTQ audience, running for 13 episodes in total.

🧵2/4 The black-and-white photo depicts a group of people marching in a gay rights parade on a city street. The participants carry signs, including one that reads "GAY PRIDE" and another partially visible sign ending in "LINE." The group is diverse, with individuals dressed in 1970s-style clothing such as striped shirts, vests, and jackets, some with fringed details. One person wears sunglasses, and another has an afro hairstyle, reflecting the era's fashion. The background shows brick buildings and storefronts, with signs like "THE WALLACE" visible, indicating an ur...
May 29 • 15 tweets • 6 min read
Canada has over 8,500 named rivers that have helped shape our landscape, culture and history.
Some rivers are short, some are very long, but where do they begin?
Every great river starts as a trickle of water.
These are the sources of some of our major rivers.

🧵1/15 Image The Mackenzie River is the longest river in Canada at 4,241 kilometres long. Its drainage basin is 1.7 million square kilometres, second in North America to only the Mississippi.
That all begins at Great Slave Lake, the source of the Mackenzie River.

🧵2/15 This satellite image shows a section of Great Slave Lake in Canada, with a focus on environmental changes. The main image highlights the lake's icy surface, labeled "Lake ice," and surrounding land. A "Burn scar" is marked in the upper central area, indicating a region affected by a wildfire. The image also shows a river or channel flowing into the lake, with a green box labeled "Detail" zooming in on this area. The inset detail reveals a closer view of the water and land interface, likely showing changes in ice or water levels. The image includes a scale bar i...