For those in the Ottawa area this weekend, there will be a free screening of the documentary “We Lend a Hand: The Forgotten Story of Ontario Farmerettes”, followed by a panel discussion on women in agriculture that includes my colleague, Dr. Stacey Barker. Details here: welendahand.ca/events/

I have apparently been spelling "history" incorrectly for much of my life. That may help explain some things. #history #histery

Call for applications: 2026-27 Canadian War Museum Research Fellowship. It funds on-site work by a postgraduate scholar to conduct research based on the Museum’s collection. Details available through link here: www.warmuseum.ca/get-involved... #CdnHist #CanadianHistory #History

Just two more days before the SWAAN Project's Workshop on Women and the Sea! Check out our amazing program of speakers and sign up online! The first of two events focused on women and other marginalized identities in seafaring, past and present. #maritimehistory #skystorians www.swaan.org/program

I've just been reminded that the Juno Beach Centre Association (JBCA) is looking for two students to work as Museum Project Assistants for the summer of 2026. Eligibility and application details are linked below. The deadline is 27 March. www.junobeach.org/were-hiring-... #CdnHist #CanadianHistory

The North American Society for Oceanic History will again offer the James C. Bradford Memorial Dissertation Research Fellowship for 2026. Closing date for application is April 1 2026. Full details and the application process are here: nasoh.org/bradford-fel... #NavalHistory #MaritimeHistory

Reposting & updating a blog post of mine from 2025 as part of Library and Archives Canada's Black Porter Perspectives series. Pic of porter & veteran Jean-Napoléon Maurice & Private Clarence Towne as entry to archival sources (1/5): thediscoverblog.com/2025/02/18/b... #BlackHistoryMonth #CdnHist

Like @tattooedhistorian.bsky.social says, the clock is ticking for abstract submissions. We’re looking forward to hearing from you - details in the link: drive.google.com/file/d/163rt...

As John says, the deadline for abstracts is January 1, and we're looking forward to your submissions! This volume will explore how ethics can be re-engaged as a living, contested, and transformative force in the study of conflict. More information is available through the link:

Since it’s #InternationalMountainDay, (and also #ThrowbackThursday), here’s a view of Giant from Rocky Peak Ridge, taken last winter.

An E.J. Hughes work "Ten Minutes Rest during Route March on Kiska," depicting Canadians on Kiska during the Aleutian campaign just sold at auction for $133,250 CAD; estimate was $25-$35,000 CAD. Link to lot details at Heffel are in the third post. (1/3) #WarArt #CdnHist #MilitaryHistory

On the night of 24-25 November 1944, U-1228 sank the corvette HMCS Shawinigan off Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland. The corvette had been escorting the ferry SS Burgeo, and was on patrol off the coast while Burgeo was in port. 1/2 #CdnHist #NavalHistory

Dusting off the past millennium’s technology. Glad to know I still recall how to load and operate a microfilm reader, complete with flashbacks to grad school. Did anyone else have a favourite microfilm reader at their archives? #history #CdnHist #CanadianHistory

At work this morning to give a talk about Canada’s naval war from 1939-1945, including Hannah Baird, whose name is often mentioned, but whose face is seldom seen. #CdnHist #History #NavalHistory

80 years ago, 13 Nov 1945: Dutch freighter Blommersdijk arrived in Montreal, with German equipment collected by the 1st Canadian War Museum Collection Team headed by Farley Mowat. This Molch miniature sub drew attention, ultimately becoming part of the museum’s collection. #CdnHist #History (1/2)

80 years ago #OTD (1 Nov 45), this German Molch submarine, now at the Canadian War Museum, left Antwerp aboard the Montreal-bound Dutch freighter Blommersdijk. Also aboard were Farley Mowat, who commanded the 1st Canadian War Museum Collection Team, and Roy Weatherdon, one of its members. (1/3)

For those who might be interested, I'll be moderating a webinar on Canada and Iceland during the world wars on 12 November. It examines the cooperation and collaborations undertaken between Iceland and Canada during both conflicts. Free registration here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/canada-and... (1/3)

I'm devastated by today's news. Tim has been a colleague and friend for nearly 20 years. It's a profound loss for his family, friends, and colleagues, and for everyone else whose lives he's touched through his research, publications, mentorship, and many contributions to the Canadian War Museum.

#OTD 82 years ago (22 October 1943): German sub U-537 arrived at Martin Bay in northern Nunatsiavut/Labrador, & installed automated weather station WFL-26, aka "Kurt". It functioned for a short time before it stopped transmitting. Recovered in 1981, it's now at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

On around this day in 1950 US and/or Republic of Korea forces located Soviet torpedoes near the airfield at Wŏnsan, North Korea. This is possibly one; it was captured in the area, after which it ultimately came to the Canadian War Museum. Find out more here: tnm.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/de...

104 years ago yesterday, 17 October 1921: second race of the elimination trials to select Nova Scotia's contender for the International Fishermen's Trophy. Photos taken by C.H.J. Snider aboard the victorious #Bluenose during the race, Archives of Ontario F1194-4

Why yes, I am editing an article and trying without success to comment on a footnote. (If memory serves, back in the days of Clippy it was possible to do this.)

I'll join others in sharing this wonderful story. In the early 1980s, listening to Tom Lehrer at a family friend's house was part of my introduction to Cold War culture in the 1950s and 1960s. As a result, it's also partly to blame for some of my historical interests and research. So long, Tom.

#OTD 80 years ago (18-19 July 1945): Bedford Magazine explosion destroyed much of site, killing 1. Parts of Halifax were evacuated amid fears of larger explosions. Albert Cloutier's watercolour view from Dartmouth shows 1st blast. Canadian War Museum 19710261-1757. #CanadianHistory #NavalHistory

1/11: A thread: photos of Canadian war artist Alex Colville, spotted during research. #MilHist #History #ArtHistory #WarArt #CdnHist. Library and Archives Canada, Army Album 88 of 110, page 78; Colville also appears elsewhere, (page 14), as do other artists: central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?ap...

For those who have ever wondered what part of the contents of Second World War emergency rations in Royal Canadian Navy lifeboats and life rafts looked like. These were in the larger grey metal boxes, along with tins of water and packages of biscuits. #NavalHistory #CanadianHistory

At the 35th Canadian Military History Colloquium, with @normagraham.bsky.social talking about “From Varsity to Wismar: 1 Can Para and the Race to the Baltic”. #milhist #cdnhist #CanadianHistory #sww #ww2 #wwii

In Waterloo, @wilfridlaurieruni.bsky.social, for the 35th Canadian Military History Colloquium, talking about one of the all-too-frequent hospital ship and train returns of Canadians from overseas during the Second War. More info studyofcanada.ca/events/confe... #milhist #History #CanadianHistory

"Canada is fundamentally transformed by the Second World War," says Tim Cook (Canadian War Museum) author of "The Good Allies." At 8/11pm with Margaret MacMillan, author of "War," and @jeffnoakes.bsky.social, author of "Forged in Fire," and @spaikin.bsky.social #veday80

"A third world war would be catastrophic in a way that even the first two world wars weren't." On the 80th anniversary of VE Day, @spaikin.bsky.social speaks with historians Margaret MacMillan, and the Canadian War Museum's Tim Cook and @jeffnoakes.bsky.social on learning from the past.

Foundation Pilot, Georges Island, and Siem Confucius with Atlantic Cedar and Atlantic Ash in the distance, Kjipuktuk/Halifax, 12 March 2025.

Pleased to see my new piece, "Together Apart: Commonwealth Korean War Dead" has now been published online with the International History Review! www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

A post of mine published today as part of Library and Archives Canada Blog's Black Porter Perspectives series, using a photograph of porter Jean-Napoléon Maurice and Private Clarence Towne as an entry to archival resources (1/5): thediscoverblog.com/2025/02/18/b... #BlackHistoryMonth #CdnHist

An article on the complex history of a Soviet torpedo at the Canadian War Museum, including its connections to the Korean War and early Cold War mine warfare, for the Canadian Nautical Research Society’s journal Northern Mariner: #NavalHistory #CdnHist (1/6): tnm.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/de...

Ferry CRAIG BLAKE and Georges Island, Halifax/Kjipuktuk, 31 December 2024. A Happy New Year to all celebrating tonight (or who are already celebrating in 2025, depending on time zones), and best wishes for the year to come.

I believe this counts as officially out of the office for the holidays.

So, this is what happens when a large number of people are allowed to pick and choose the Quality Street that they prefer at a bulk food store. A pattern may be emerging.

Just out, in time for weekend or holiday reading: article written with colleague Marie-Louise Deruaz about a recent-ish project - "Little Ship, Big Screen: Animating the Battle of the Atlantic at the Canadian War Museum": scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol33/is... #NavalHistory #CdnHist #MaritimeHistory

Since today’s International Mountain Day, here’s Mount Lawrence Grassi, seen while on the way from Ha Ling Peak to Miner’s Peak, just under a month ago. (Historian connection: this was a day hike after a conference in Calgary, squeezed in before the flight home.)

For those who might be interested, here’s colleague Grant Vogl and me talking about one of the better-known artifacts at the Canadian War Museum:

Headed for Calgary later today to talk about why this #usaf KC-97 is landing at Iqaluit in 1962 (spoiler: it's the Strategic Air Command refuelling base built there). Photo: Library and Archives Canada, Charles Gimpel fonds, e011212358-v8 #history #cdnhistory #canadianhistory #militaryhistory

OTD 80 years ago, 14 October 1944: U-1223 torpedoed HMCS Magog near Pointe-des-Monts, Quebec; 3 killed, 3 others severely wounded. Ship towed to Montreal and written off as a total loss. Post-attack photos: Canadian War Museum 20030315-002_p1 (1/2) #NavalHistory #CanadianHistory #MaritimeHistory