Craig Rourke
He / him | 🇨🇦 | Writer & Armchair Historian | I uncover and share Canada’s lost history, hidden heroes, and cultural icons from coast to coast to coast, one story at a time.
- From trails and highways to rivers and oceans, four Canadians crossed vast distances, and each returned transformed in their own unique way: - Dianne Whalen’s Trans-Canada Trail Crossing - Jean Béliveau’s Walk Around the World - Steve Fonyo’s Journey for Lives - Josephine Madamin’s Walk for Water
- I’m a few days behind, but here is last week’s post/podcast episode. From handcrafted castles to forest hideaways, meet the Canadians who sought truth, purpose, and peace by turning away from modern society. We explore hermits, naturalist-poets, and a Cree community who escape into the wilderness.
- 🇨🇦✨ The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. <<<This is the FINAL poll>>> More Info in🧵 1️⃣ The Persons Case 2️⃣ Vimy Ridge 📊 Show results
- The Persons Case — In 1929, five Alberta women (“The Famous Five”) won a Supreme Court victory declaring women “persons” under Canadian law. A milestone for women’s rights that paved the way for female appointment to the Senate and gender equality legislation.
- Vimy Ridge (1917) — Canada’s Corps seized Vimy Ridge in April 1917, the first time all four divisions fought together. Their victory became a defining moment of national unity and sacrifice — often seen as Canada coming of age on the world stage.
- 🇨🇦✨ Ready to commemorate Canadian history? The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories (from triumphs to tough truths) go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. More Info in🧵 1️⃣ Vimy Ridge 2️⃣ Creation of Nunavut 📊 Show results
- Vimy Ridge (1917) — Canada’s Corps seized Vimy Ridge in April 1917, the first time all four divisions fought together. Their victory became a defining moment of national unity and sacrifice, often seen as Canada coming of age on the world stage.
- Creation of Nunavut (1999) — On April 1, 1999, Canada carved out Nunavut as its newest territory following the largest Indigenous land‑claims settlement in history, empowering Inuit self‑government and recognizing their cultural sovereignty.
- Each day I share a number that describes Canada. Today's number is: 200 🏞️✨ Did you know that Waterton Lakes National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Canada’s most stunning natural treasures— contains over 200 kilometres of scenic hiking trails! #canada
- Home to diverse wildflowers & wildlife -International Dark Sky Park-perfect for stargazing -Historic ties to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial -Part of the world’s first International Peace Park, with Glacier National Park in Montana
- 🇨🇦✨ Ready to commemorate Canadian history? The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories (from triumphs to tough truths) go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. More Info in🧵 1️⃣ The Persons Case 2️⃣ The Group of Seven 📊 Show results
- The Persons Case — In 1929, five Alberta women (“The Famous Five”) won a Supreme Court victory declaring women “persons” under Canadian law. A milestone for women’s rights that paved the way for female appointments to the Senate and gender equality legislation.
- The Group of Seven (1920s) — A circle of Canadian landscape painters who broke from European tradition, capturing Canada’s rugged wilderness in bold colour and form. Their work forged a uniquely Canadian artistic identity still celebrated today.
- 🇨🇦✨ Ready to commemorate Canadian history? The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories (from triumphs to tough truths) go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. More Info in🧵 1️⃣ The Persons Case 2️⃣ The Group of Seven 📊 Show results
- 🇨🇦✨ Ready to commemorate Canadian history? The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories (from triumphs to tough truths) go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. More Info in🧵 1️⃣ 1918 Influenza Pandemic 2️⃣ Creation of Nunavut (1999) 📊 Show results
- 1918 Influenza Pandemic — Canada’s “Spanish Flu” swept the nation in late 1918, killing an estimated 55,000 Canadians in just months, more than WWI combat fatalities — yet its scale remains largely forgotten in public memory.
- Creation of Nunavut (1999) — On April 1, 1999, Canada carved out Nunavut as its newest territory following the largest Indigenous land‑claims settlement in history — empowering Inuit self‑government and recognizing their cultural sovereignty.
- 🇨🇦✨ Ready to commemorate Canadian history? The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories (from triumphs to tough truths) go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. More Info in🧵 1️⃣ Vimy Ridge 2️⃣ Summit Series 1972 📊 Show results
- Vimy Ridge (1917) — Canada’s Corps seized Vimy Ridge in April 1917, the first time all four divisions fought together. Their victory became a defining moment of national unity and sacrifice, often seen as Canada coming of age on the world stage.
- 1972 Summit Series — Canada vs. USSR in an eight‑game hockey showdown that transcended sport amid Cold War tensions. Paul Henderson’s series‑winning goal in Game 8 became a defining moment of national pride and unity.
- 🇨🇦✨ Ready to commemorate Canadian history? The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories (from triumphs to tough truths) go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. More Info in🧵 1️⃣ Chris Hadfield - ISS 2️⃣ The Group of Seven 📊 Show results
- Chris Hadfield (2013) — Royal Canadian Air Force veteran Chris Hadfield became the first Canadian to command the International Space Station. His social‑media livestreams and rendition of “Space Oddity” turned him into a global ambassador for science and exploration.
- The Group of Seven (1920s) — A circle of Canadian landscape painters who broke from European tradition, capturing Canada’s rugged wilderness in bold colour and form. Their work forged a uniquely Canadian artistic identity still celebrated today.
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- Each day I share a number that describes Canada. Today's number is: 120 🌾🏚️ Did you know that in the 1920s, Manitoba had more than 700 wooden grain elevators? Today, only about 120 remain standing. The most famous site is the Inglis Grain Elevators National Historic Site. How many have you seen?
- The Persons Case — In 1929, five Alberta women (“The Famous Five”) won a Supreme Court victory declaring women “persons” under Canadian law. A milestone for women’s rights that paved the way for female appointment to the Senate and gender equality legislation.
- Frederick Banting (1921) — Alongside Charles Best, Canadian Dr. Frederick Banting co‑discovered insulin, transforming diabetes from a fatal disease into a manageable condition. His breakthrough earned him the 1923 Nobel Prize and saved millions worldwide.
- 🇨🇦✨ Ready to commemorate Canadian history? The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories (from triumphs to tough truths) go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. More Info in🧵 1️⃣ Persons Case 2️⃣ Frederick Banting 📊 Show results
- 🇨🇦✨ The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories (from triumphs to tough truths) go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. This is round #3 More Info in🧵 1️⃣ Creation of Nunavut 2️⃣ Gordon Lightfoot 📊 Show results
- Creation of Nunavut (1999) — On April 1, 1999, Canada carved out Nunavut as its newest territory following the largest Indigenous land‑claims settlement in history, empowering Inuit self‑government and recognizing their cultural sovereignty.
- Gordon Lightfoot (1960s–2023) — Ontario singer‑songwriter whose poetic folk hits (“If You Could Read My Mind,” “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”) captured Canadian landscapes and stories, earning him status as Canada’s troubadour.
- 🇨🇦✨ The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories (from triumphs to tough truths) go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. This is round #3 More Info in🧵 1️⃣ 1918 Influena Pandemic 2️⃣ 1700 Cascadia Earthquake 📊 Show results
- 1918 Influenza Pandemic — Canada’s “Spanish Flu” swept the nation in late 1918, killing an estimated 55,000 Canadians in just months, more than WWI combat fatalities. Yet its scale remains largely forgotten in public memory.
- 1700 Cascadia Earthquake — Indigenous oral histories described a massive quake and tsunami along Canada’s Pacific coast centuries before European records. In 1996, geology confirmed a magnitude ~9.0 event on Jan 26, 1700, finally bridging science and Indigenous knowledge.
- Each day I share a number that describes Canada. Today's number is: 12 📚🇨🇦 Did you know in 2024, books by Canadian authors made up 12% of print book sales in Canada? As we celebrate Canada Book Day, does that number surprise you? Let us know your thoughts. #CanadaBookDay
- Happy Canada Book Day! Today's podcast and newsletter are all about the history of books in Canada. If you don't mind, would you take a sec. to recommend a book that you recently enjoyed from a Canadian author? I'm looking for something new to read #canadabookday #canada #canadian #history #podcast
