Dec. 29, 1775: The American army besieging Quebec City makes preparations to storm the garrison before the soldiers' enlistments are to expire in the new year. "We got the rockets all ready and some shells," records Robert Barwick, an artilleryman. 1/2

Other than buying our books, one of the BEST gifts you can give an author is to write a review and/or tell some friends about what you've read 😁 Thanks for reading!!!! #BookSky #Review

Why should Canadians care about Benjamin Franklin’s failure to annex Canada? I make the case to Antonio Michael Downing on CBC Radio’s The Next Chapter. My bit starts 10 minutes in. www.cbc.ca/listen/live-... #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #americanrevolution @dundurnpress.bsky.social

When rumours began to spread of an American invasion of Canada in 1775, the governor of the British colony did his best to solicit the support of local First Nations at a meeting in Montreal. #OTD Dec. 20, 1775, newspaper readers in London belatedly read he had failed.

Do you have a special person on your list who is always difficult to buy for? Get my book. It puts Donald Trump’s threats to make Canada the 51st state into context. #hedidnotconquer #history #books #americanrevolution @dundurnpress.bsky.social

Dec. 19, 1775: The Continental Congress resolves that all merchant ships in the colonies “that shall be employed in carrying provisions or other necessaries” to the British armed forces are subject to seizure.

18 DECEMBER 1775, PHILADELPHIA: Though they all have the same destination, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay and Francis Daymon all take different routes through Philadelphia’s dark nighttime streets before converging at Carpenters’ Hall.

#OTD December 16, 1775, officers in the Continental Army decided to storm Quebec City. Their men, ill-equipped for a winter siege and decimated by smallpox, were threatening to go home. #hedidnotconquer #history #books #canada #americanrevolution @dundurnpress.bsky.social @revwar250.bsky.social

HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR ALL CANADIANS Meidas Canada continues our look at the plans to raise a 300,000 volunteer citizen's army. In this episode we're sharing some ideas on how this could actually work. youtu.be/LM-UCr7IwDw?...

When French Canadians refused Benjamin Franklin’s invitation to join the American Revolution in 1776, it was a foundational moment for modern Canada. I loved discussing it today with the Rotary Club of Old Montreal. #hedidnotconquer #history #canada #AmericanRevolution @dundurnpress.bsky.social

As winter strengthens its grip on eastern Canada, spare a thought for the American soldiers in the newly-formed Continental Army who #OTD December 10, 1775, were just settling into what would be a long and miserable siege of Quebec City. #hedidnotconquer #history #books #AmericanRevolution

There comes a time in the life of every presenter when they can’t figure out why a particular slide has suddenly popped up in their presentation. This is me, today, trying and failing to understand why I wanted to show this map in my talk about my book and Benjamin Franklin and Canada.

Gambling advertising should be banned from television, internet, and radio, just like Tobacco advertising years ago. They both enable addiction.

I’m really pleased Ian Austen of the New York Times wrote about my book for his Canada newsletter. Trump is not the first American to covet Canada and he probably will not be the last. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #skystorians #books @dundurnpress.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/12/06/w...

On Monday, @mdrohan.bsky.social will join us to discuss her book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada. Revisiting these events would help Canadian policymakers better understand and deal with Mr. Trump’s oft-stated desire to make Canada the 51st state >>> bit.ly/3XXPNY9

Lundi, @mdrohan.bsky.social se joindra à nous pour discuter de son livre, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada. Dan FSS 4006 à midi >>> bit.ly/484Cf3g

As Americans gear up for the 250th anniversary of their Declaration of Independence next year, it’s good to remind everyone that prior to that date they invaded Canada. #OTD December 4, 1775, troops from the Continental Army began their siege of Quebec City.

Friends, please share? Brown2026 is advertising for its 3rd year of fellowships. Would love to have you consider this opportunity to work with us as we face 2026. Link to position and application info in the thread: And more info about the initiative is here: brown2026democracy.brown.edu 1/

New podcast episode! Talking about Regency Era women’s novels and consent with the fabulous Dr. Zoë McGee, author of COURTING DISASTER: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/v...

Before Donald Trump in 2025, before James Madison in 1812, Benjamin Franklin had designs on Canada. @mdrohan.bsky.social has written a book about how he came to have that desire, how he rationalized it, and why he failed in his attempts to annex Canada. Join us on Dec. 8th! >>> bit.ly/3XXPNY9

Avant Donald Trump en 2025, avant James Madison en 1812, Benjamin Franklin avait des visées sur le Canada. @mdrohan.bsky.social a écrit un livre sur la façon dont il en est venu à nourrir ce désir, comment il l’a rationalisé et pourquoi il a échoué dans ses tentatives d’annexion du Canada.

Every time I read about the provinces dragging their heels on removing barriers to internal trade, I think of the illustration that Benjamin Franklin published in the Pennsylvania Gazette, May 9, 1754. #hedidnotconquer #cdahist #history #books @dundurnpress.bsky.social

There is something very satisfying about talking about your book in an intimate setting. Big thanks to my friends in Vancouver — Richard, Kathy, Elizabeth, and Rob — for inviting and hosting yesterday. Lots of good questions! #hedidnotconquer #cdahist #history #books

On December 8th, we look forward to welcoming @mdrohan.bsky.social, Senior Fellow at the Graduate School of Public and International Policy & author of the book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada. Learn more >>> bit.ly/3XXPNY9

I had fun today talking about my book to members of the thriving Victoria branch of the Canadian International Council. What an impressive group! Informed, engaged and intensely interested in Canada’s place in the world. #hedidnotconquer #cdahistory #history #books @dundurnpress.bsky.social

I really enjoyed talking to members of the Vancouver Island branch of the Canadian International Council in Parksville today. The warmth of the welcome more than made up for the grey and drizzly weather! #hedidnotconquer #cdahistory #history #books Dundurn Press

Le 8 décembre, nous aurons le plaisir d'accueillir @mdrohan.bsky.social, chercheuse principale à l’École supérieure d’études publiques et internationales et auteure du livre He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada. Pour en savoir plus >>> bit.ly/484Cf3g

I was worried that the story of Benjamin Franklin and Canada might not seem as compelling to audiences in Western Canada. Today’s event at the Brock House Society in Vancouver put those fears to rest. Lots of good questions about our shared history! #hedidnotconquer #cdahistory #history #books

This makes me very happy! #hedidnotconquer #cdahistory #history #books @dundurnpress.bsky.social

#OTD Nov. 24, 1775, Washington appointed two spies to go to the British colony of Nova Scotia and report on “the disposition of the inhabitants towards the American cause” and the strength of the British navy base in Halifax.

#OTD Nov. 22, 1775, Guy Carleton, governor of the Province of Quebec, expelled American sympathizers from Quebec City. He called them “useless, disloyal, and treacherous persons.” Montreal and Trois-Rivières had fallen. If American troops captured Quebec City, Canada would be theirs.

Montage of 19 clips of Trump insulting, berating, demeaning and attacking female reporters over the past few months. Part 1.

I was both happy and sad to see that Tim Cook, a military historian whose work I admired and respected, reviewed my book for the Literary Review of Canada. “This is a good book that has arrived at an opportune time,” he wrote. #hedidnotconquer reviewcanada.ca/magazine/202...

Nov. 8, 1775: Congress authorizes its Secret Committee "to contract for the importation of arms, ammunition, &c." and empowers it "to export to the foreign West Indies as much provision, or any other produce, (except horned cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry)" as needed for gunpowder.

Nov. 8, 1775: Col. Benedict Arnold's invasion army reaches the outskirts of Quebec City. A force that started as about 1,100 men has been reduced from hunger and disease during its agonizing march through Maine. Just this week, several hundred soldiers under Col. Roger Enos departed. 1/2

Nov. 10, 1775: The Continental Congress resolves that "two persons be sent to Nova Scotia to enquire into the state of that colony" and "the disposition of the inhabitants towards the American cause." The intelligence will be forwarded to Gen. George Washington to aid him in possible military moves.

Nov. 12, 1775: American Gen. Richard Montgomery, camped with his troops just outside Montreal, meets a delegation of civic leaders. They agree to surrender and will let him through the walls of the Canadian capital tomorrow morning.

#OTD 250 years ago, Canadians were at war with American invaders and each other. American colonists had exported their civil war north, enticing some Canadians to fight with them against the British. Others fought to defend the imperial power. It was a divisive invasion that ultimately failed.

Had a really enjoyable evening discussing my book with the Friends of Lifelong Learning at the Glebe Centre in Ottawa. What a great group! #cdahistory #cdaus #hedidnotconquer

I really enjoyed giving a talk on my book today at the Atwater Library in Montreal. A special thanks to those who came out despite the transit strike. @dundurnpress.bsky.social #cdahist #cdaus #hedidnotconquer

Had a great time at the Toronto launch of my book at Ben McNally Books. My thanks to Meghan Macdonald of @dundurnpress.bsky.social for kicking things off, Rupert and Danielle McNally for hosting, and to all the friends and book lovers who came. #hedidnotconquer #cdaus #cdapoli

I’m looking forward to speaking at the Atwater Library at 12:30 pm on November 6. Montreal plays a big part in the story I tell about Benjamin Franklin wanting to annex Canada. He set the stage for Donald Trump. My book is published by @dundurnpress.bsky.social #hedidnotconquer #cdahist #cdaus

Received my 8th COVID19 vaccination. Not only super effective against COVID with no bad side effects, recent studies show it revs up the immune system against other challenges, including cancer. www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...

Before Donald Trump in 2025, before James Madison in 1812, Benjamin Franklin had designs on Canada. Find out how Franklin, a scientist, diplomat, trend setter, and writer of fake news, set the stage for Donald Trump.

“What think you of a North American Monarchy?” John Adams, one of the founding fathers, asked a friend in October 1775. “Suppose We should appoint a Continental King, and a Continental House of Lords, and a Continental House of Commons, to be annually, or triennially or Septennially elected?”

Mary Shelley famously wrote Frankenstein while on a summer-long sleepover party with guests including Lord Byron. On today’s podcast, we need to talk about Lord Byron. Joining us is @msemilyedwards.bsky.social who has plenty to say about this F***boi of Literature pod.link/1489560920/e...

What a pleasure it was to speak this week with Tom Fournier of the @historysymposium.bsky.social about my book, published by @dundurnpress.bsky.social. I gave the high points of Benjamin Franklin’s designs on Canada. #cdaus #cdapoli #cdahist #hedidnotconquer youtu.be/IySBOsrhFE8?...

I really enjoyed meeting Madelaine and talking about this fascinating topic! What! Annex Canada? Stay away! @mdrohan.bsky.social

We all have self-proclaimed victims in our lives who are difficult to deal with. Imagine facing them across a negotiating table when the stakes are high. That's where PM Carney finds himself now. #cdaus #cdahist #CIC #hedidnotconquer

Did Benjamin Franklin’s failure to annex Canada set the stage for Donald Trump and his talk of the 51st state? I’ll be discussing that and other questions at a Canadian International Council meeting Oct. 21. Open to the public (see poster for details). #cdaus #cdapoli #cdahist #hedidnotconquer