#OTD Feb. 15, 1776, the Continental Congress asked Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Chase, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton to go to Canada to ask the French Canadians to join the American Revolution. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #cdaus @dundurnpress.bsky.social @revwar250.bsky.social

There’s an ongoing guessing game about how far in the past Trump is trying to drag the US. I argue it’s 1775, the year Americans began their revolution and invaded Canada. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history @dundurnpress.bsky.social @theglobeandmail.com

nationalpost.com/news/world/t... Trump's Gordie Howe bridge threats came after U.S. commerce secretary met with owner of rival Ambassador Bridge On Monday, Howard Lutnick met with billionaire Matthew Moroun, whose family owns the Ambassador Bridge. Following the meeting, Lutnick called Trump

Americans still thought the conquest of #Canada was possible, despite the defeat of their Continental Army at Quebec City on December 31, 1775. But they continued to face a shortage of men, money, and, crucially, gunpowder. #OTD February 11, 1776, Benjamin Franklin wrote Charles Lee, . . .

It is heartening to see two former prime ministers, from different parties, have a friendly conversation about Canadian unity in the time of Trump. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #cdaus #americanrevolution @[email protected]

Really enjoyed speaking with Larry Ostola of the Champlain Society about my book and its relevance to Canada-US relations today. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #cdaus #americanrevolution @dundurnpress.bsky.social @revolution250.bsky.social

In 1775 the USA was still getting itself together. But already they had decided to invade a neighbor. "The newly formed 'Continental' Army ... failed because the inhabitants set aside their differences when faced with the American threat." Read all about it at www.dundurn.com/books_/t2211...

My take on the historical aspects of the prime minister’s Quebec speech. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #cdaus @dundurnpress.bsky.social

American politicians have regarded Canada as a pawn to be played in their power struggles for quite some time. 250 years to be exact. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #americanrevolution @dundurnpress.bsky.social @revwar250.bsky.social

Vancouver I’m coming! Come hang out with me and celebrate my book at Iron Dog Books on Friday February 27! All the info and RSVP here: irondogbooks.com/events/44867...

Notice something missing from this chronology of the American Revolution in a commemorative edition put out by Time magazine? #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books

#OTD January 20, 1776, the Continental Congress scrambled to collect coins to send to Canada because the French Canadians refused to accept paper currency. Despite the disastrous defeat at Quebec City, delegates still thought the invasion would succeed if they could send more money and men north.

If anyone had any doubts about where Trump intends to go next, these faked photos, which MSN says Trump posted last night, make it clear. Take a look at the map showing Canada covered by the American flag. #hedidnotconquer #canada #cdaus #history #books @dundurnpress.bsky.social

Benjamin Franklin received a disappointing birthday present when he turned 70 years old #OTD January 17, 1776. He and fellow delegates to the Continental Congress learned that the Continental Army failed to take Quebec City by storm more than two weeks earlier. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history

Trump is not inventing a new foreign policy with his threats to Greenland. He’s resurrecting an approach that is 250 years old. #hedidnotconquer #canada #cdaus #history @dundurnpress.bsky.social @revwar250.bsky.social

Vous vous demandez comment interpréter les menaces de Trump de s'emparer du Groenland ? @mdrohan.bsky.social se penche sur l'histoire et sur la tentative des colons américains de s'emparer de la colonie britannique du Canada, il y a 250 ans, en utilisant la sécurité nationale comme prétexte.

Wondering what to make of Trump's threats to take Greenland? @mdrohan.bsky.social looks to history and an attempt by American colonists to capture the British colony of Canada, 250 years ago, using national security as the pretext. Read her blog here ➡️ www.cips-cepi.ca/2026/01/14/a...

“Uruguay did what most nations still call impossible: it built a power grid that runs almost entirely on renewables—at half the cost of fossil fuels. The physicist who led that transformation says the same playbook could work anywhere—if governments have the courage to change the rules.”

This paper lays out a new and scary explanation for what motivates Donald Trump. It also explores the lowly place for Canada and other countries in this new system. Well worth reading. #canada #cdaus #history

Benjamin Franklin once proposed that the United States buy Canada from Britain. This was in the autumn of 1776, after the Americans had tried and failed to conquer the British colony. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books @revwar250.bsky.social @dundurnpress.bsky.social

#OTD Jan. 6, 1776, David Wooster, the general in charge of American troops in Canada, issued a declaration that threatened any Canada who opposed the American invasion. Wooster was reacting to the disastrous failure of the Continental Army to take Quebec City on December 31.

There are a lot of lessons Canada can learn from the American invasion of 1775-1776, including that it could happen again. I wrote about that invasion in my book He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada. #hedidnotconquer #history #books

I wrote a book and it’s coming out NEXT MONTH!! REBEL OF THE REGENCY is a funny biography of Caroline of Brunswick, the British queen who, at one point, wore a pumpkin as a hat. Get all the info at rebeloftheregency.com

#OTD January 1, 1776, it was not immediately clear to the defenders of Quebec City that they had killed the general leading the American invasion of the British colony of Canada or the Province of Quebec. #canada #history #books #americanrevolution @revwar250.bsky.social @dundurnpress.bsky.social

I was pleased and surprised to see The National Post ran an interview with me today about my book. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #americanrevolution @dundurnpress.bsky.social

#OTD Dec. 31, 1775, the newly-formed Continental Army tried and failed to take Quebec City and with it Canada or the Province of Quebec. American troops had already taken Montreal and Trois-Rivières and only needed to capture and hold Quebec City to make Canada the 14th colony.

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