Category Archives: Uncategorized

“The Portuguese in Toronto” Photo Exhibit: An Organizer’s Reflection

From May 13-19, Toronto’s City Hall will feature “The Portuguese in Toronto,” a free photo exhibit. What follows are some reflections on how historians can engage with the public by one of the exhibit’s organizers. Raphael Costa On May 13, 2013, the Portuguese Canadian History Project’s (PCHP) photographic exhibit celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of mass Portuguese migration to Canada will… Read more »

The Public Historian in the History Wars: A Report from #NCPH2013

By Pete Anderson I had the good fortune to facilitate a lively discussion on the role of public historians in the history wars at a ‘dine around’ session during the recent annual conference of the National Council on Public History, held in Ottawa from April 17-20. We had representatives from both Canada and the United States of various ages and… Read more »

“American Commune”: two views of a documentary about the 1970s counterculture

By Colin Coates and Daniel Ross “The rise and fall of America’s largest socialist utopian experiment” -Program blurb from the 2013 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival This post, inspired by the documentary film American Commune (2013) by Rena Mundo Croshere and Nadine Mundo, takes two different looks at the history of a 1970s countercultural commune located in the southern… Read more »

From Exploration to Climate Change: Northern History in the Anthropocene

By Tina Adcock I groaned when I saw the headline. “Google Street View braves Canadian Arctic to chart little-known territory,” it read. “Iqaluit mapping expedition sees Google staff hike along remote city’s snow-covered trails and risk wrath of polar bears.” Even the writers and editors at the Guardian aren’t immune to the occasional bout of polar fever. But I can’t… Read more »

Heritage Toronto’s Call for Award Nominations and 2013 Tours Program

ActiveHistory.ca is pleased to announce two exciting initiatives at Heritage Toronto, a charitable arms-length agency of the City of Toronto that promotes the city’s rich architectural, cultural, archaeological and natural heritage. Heritage Toronto Awards – Call for Nominations The Heritage Toronto Awards celebrate outstanding contributions in the promotion and conservation of Toronto’s history and heritage landmarks by professionals and volunteers…. Read more »

Podcast and Reflection – Black Power with a Northern Touch: Black Radicalism in Toronto, 1950s-1970s

By  Funké Aladejebi On March 27th Funké Aladejebi, a PhD candidate at York University, told the compelling story of how black organizations in Toronto used education to combat racism by making connections to “Africa” and adapting the language of Black Power to a Canadian experience. Her talk was part of the 2013 History Matters series. You can click here to… Read more »

James Marsh Retires from The Canadian Encyclopedia

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This post originally appeared March 29 2013 on the TCE Blog by the Canadian Encyclopedia By James Marsh I really had the best job in the country, as editor of Canada’s national encyclopedia. It was kismet for a boy whose irritated mother sarcastically called him “know it all!” As a kid in West End Toronto, I was obsessed with the… Read more »

Time for a Change: Historical Perspective on the Washington Redskins Name and Logo Controversy

By Mike Commito Baseball season has just begun and NHL hockey is entering its final push before the playoffs begin at the end of the month. However, in recent months the attention has remained on the NFL’s Washington Redskins. Not because of their valiant post-season effort that ended with a horrific knee injury to their talented and budding young quarterback,… Read more »

Lount and Matthews Commemoration Salon

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by Ashok Charles and Randall White This coming Friday, April 12, 2013 will mark the 175th anniversary of the hanging of Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews in what is now downtown Toronto, for their roles in the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837. The rebellion was a reaction to the unresponsiveness of the colonial oligarchy of the day to demands for… Read more »

Toronto Public Library: A Century of Service to Canada’s Military Veterans, 1914-2014

By Khayla Buhler and Phil Gold Next year we begin to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I.  At the same time we can also celebrate the centennial anniversary of services provided by the Toronto Public Library to Canada’s military veterans.  In 1914, the Toronto Public Library’s (TPL) Board of Trustees established a system of services… Read more »