Molly Brant and her husband, Sir William Johnson, worked to keep peace between Colonists and natives. A Loyalist, Molly and family fled to Canada in 1777. “Her features are fine and beautiful; her complexion clear and olive-tinted… She was quiet in demeanor, on occasion, and possessed of a calm dignity that bespoke a native pride […]
In an era when reporting was a man’s job, Alice Freeman adopted an alias and wrote newspaper columns, later becoming one of Canada’s first female editors. She decided on her future early. Alice Freeman was a schoolteacher in Toronto in 1874, inspiring youngsters to learn their lessons when Freeman herself was only 18 years old. […]
Teaching the arts of listening, touching and examining patients, Canadian Dr. William Osler changed the system of training medical students. The skills of touching, viewing or speaking with a live patient were not required modules in medical student training in early Canada. A licence to practice medicine, even surgery, was gained through theory in […]
Encouraging advancements in the health and welfare of citizens, Lady Aberdeen was the first woman in Canada to receive an honorary degree The Marjoribanks family was the upper crust of English and Scottish society, the stern Sir Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks the 1st Baron of Tweedmouth. A leading politician, he was a businessman and landowner, with […]
The first passenger ship to dock at Vancouver from the distant Orient, the SS Abyssinia also set a speed record for the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company. The rail business was good for Canadian Pacific Railway in the mid-1800s, so good that broad expansion was ahead. Carrying freight and passengers, rail service across Canada was a […]
Built in Quebec City’s Place Royale in 1688, L’eglise Notre-Dame-des-Victoires survived burning and threats of demolition, and is now an historic monument. Revering their sacred religious principles, the early European settlers made sure their new Canadian home sites included places for worship. One of the oldest French stone churches still standing is L’eglise Nôtre-Dame-des-Victoires in […]
A battalion of Canadian volunteers joined the British in the South African War. The 10-day Battle of Paardeberg Drift but was bloody, gruesome, and costly The Date: February 18 – February 27, 1900 The Place: Paardeberg Drift, a region on the Modder River in South Africa The Historical Significance for Canadians: One of Canada’s first […]
The Gentleman Bandit, Bill Miner held up stagecoaches and trains with varying success. Spending most of his life in prison, escape was always possible, even in Canada. Banks, stagecoaches and trains, these were ripe for robbery pickings when it came to Bill Miner and his accomplices. The trains were particularly attractive, often carrying large sums […]
Made into pemmican for centuries by Aboriginals, cranberries are now a holiday favourite. The fruit was first farmed in North America on the east coast of Canada and USA Cooked into tangy sauces, squeezed into bright red juice, folded into muffin batter or added to turkey stuffing, the cranberry has a long, delicious history […]
Time for a quick quiz, and here are the clues: this material is produced internationally for the construction industry and at plants across Canada and Ontario. The solid substance is processed into powder and then hardened again. Its uses as versatile building supply are nearly infinite. Any guesses? Lumber? No, good choice but not right. […]
Though she spent most of her husband’s term in England, Princess Louise was adored by Canadians. While here, she was plagued with an accident, Fenian threats and the icy Canadian cold. Arriving after a rough and dangerous crossing aboard ship from England, Canada’s new Governor General John Campbell and his young beautiful wife, Princess Louise, […]
There was no sitting still for Elgin Armstrong. While tending to chores and farm animals after the death of his father, the 14-year-old watched for opportunities. By the time he was in his 30s, Armstrong and his brother Ted were industry leaders in road construction with Armstrong Brothers Construction (called ABC and later, Armbro). Then […]