On this date in 1835, City Council authorized the hiring five full-time police constables. However, uniforms would not be issued for another four years.

On this date in 1862, James Brown became the last person to be publicly hanged in Toronto. Despite protestations to contrary, it is believed that he did not in fact feel good.

35 years ago this month - March 1991 - Toronto's Barenaked Ladies their first appearances on Speakers Corner. Various dates like March 9 and March 30 and possibly February. They were doing a number of dates at The Rivoli around this time

On this date in 1939, Sir Henry Pellatt died. Best known as the man who built Casa Loma, he lost everything in a series of financial scandals and was eventually forced to live with the family of his former chauffeur.

On this date in 1834, The Patriot newspaper reported on the previous day’s debate in the legislature about changing the name of York to Toronto. Supporters liked the “musical” sound of Toronto, while opponents thought it was disgraceful to forget the Duke of York.

On this date in 1884, Toronto Public Library officially opened in the old Mechanics' Institute building at Church and Adelaide.

The Torontolympiad in 1976 was the fifth Paralympic Games to be held. Etobicoke's Centennial Gymnasium hosted many of the competitions, including wheelchair basketball. https://ow.ly/BJaN50Ypcgv

A weird walking tour for Friday The Thirteenth! Filled with strange and twisted true tales from the history of Toronto. Pay what you like — just meet outside Old City Hall at 7pm on March 13!

No live video, but photos of the Stones playing at the El Mocambo with the palm tree images in the background along with the audio from that night of them playing Dance Little Sister. - 49 years ago tonight - March 4th, 1977 Margaret Trudeau was there, were you??? wholemap.com/music/concer...

Beatrice Worsley became a computer scientist at a time when computers could fill entire rooms and most people had no idea what they were or how they worked. She operated and designed the programming language for Canada's first digital computer ...

#OnThisDay 100 years ago, a slow speed head-on collision between two freight trains caused some impressive wreckage in the Don Valley near Todmorden Mills. https://ow.ly/MRV950YmFBN

On this date in 1879, Verdi’s Aida was staged for the first time in Toronto. A touring Italian opera company performed the show at the Grand Opera House on Adelaide Street West.

#SundayRead: In the latest 'Toronto History Curiosities', I cover Toronto's hotel history...oh, and Mr. Dressup. 📺 open.substack.com/pub/bobgeorg...

On this date in 1912, the first Woolworth’s in Toronto opened at Yonge and Queen after taking over a Knox 5 and 10 Cent Store.

On this date in 1963, the University Subway from Union to St. George opened. Premier John Robards can be seen flipping the ceremonial switch below.

Scenes from Moss Park on this day in 1915, showing the skating championships and tug of war (on ice!)

Just a reminder that Muddy York has an account with Buy Me a Coffee. You can support our work here: buymeacoffee.com/muddyyork

Toronto Concert History: 50 years ago tonight - February 26, 1976 - David Bowie plays Maple Leaf Gardens. The Station To Station Tour. Discussed in this week's podcast Music Milestones YYZ. How about those ticket prices!

It is #BlackHistoryMonth. Peggy (fl. 1766–1827) was one of the hundreds of Black people enslaved in Upper Canada. She and her children were held in bondage on Peter Russell’s estate & farm. Surviving documents attest to her resistance to subjugation. www.biographi.ca/en/bio/peggy... #BHM

On this date in 1851, the Toronto Anti-Slavery Society was established at a meeting at City Hall.

At 10am on February 25, 1931, members of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) walked off the job. Highlighting poor working conditions, long hours, and low wages, hundreds of women continued their strike for two and a half months.

On this date in 1942, a wartime blackout test was conducted in Toronto.

On this date in 1968, the Jimi Hendrix Experience performed at the CNE Coliseum.

On this date in 1793, John Graves Simcoe contracted Augustus Jones to survey the route for a road that would become Yonge Street.

On this date in 1791, a letter from the Surveyor General’s office referred to this area as York for the first time. Until then, it had been called Dublin Township as you can see in the map below.

On this date in 1872, two horse trotting races were held on the ice of Toronto Bay. The prizes for first place were $150 and $120 dollars respectively. It’s not known how the horses spent their winnings.

On this date in 1896, Hart Massey died. He was one of the richest men in Toronto and scion of the famous Massey family that produced a Governor-General and an Oscar-nominated actor. He also commissioned the construction of Massey Hall in honour of his late son, Charles Albert.

Toronto 100 years ago today: Snowshoeing at High Park - Feb. 19, 1926 #OnThisDay #1920s #highpark #winter #snowshoeing #torontohistory #jeremyhopkin

Parkdale might seem like an ordinary Toronto neighbourhood, but its story includes the Grey Cup, an amusement park, the KKK and the largest school in Canada. Learn more about this distinctive community on Muddy York, Toronto's #1 history podcast. spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/ndmg63gNP0b

On this date in 1901, the re-formed Toronto Mendelssohn Choir gave its debut performance at Massey Hall.

On this date in 1927, a syndicate led by Conn Smythe purchased the Toronto St. Patrick’s hockey team. Shortly thereafter, the team would be renamed the Maple Leafs.

On this date in 1876, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at King and Simcoe was officially dedicated. The four corners of King and Simcoe were known as SALVATION (St. Andrew's), LEGISLATION (Government House), EDUCATION (Upper Canada College) and DAMNATION (British Tavern).

On this date in 1969, TTC experimented with "bus bunnies" to make public transit more attractive. The experiment lasted one day.

Launching of the Asp Kristiansand at Polson Iron Works in Toronto, February 11, 1918. #OnThisDay #OTD #1910s #nautical #ship #shiplaunch #history #torontohistory #toronto #canada #jeremyhopkin

My latest Substack offering - after a long hiatus - looks at the career of "Old Reliable" Billy Bass, the Toronto Argonauts' first black captain. open.substack.com/pub/jamesefr...

Age verification? Adam used ICON computers at school. Grayson accidentally assassinated his family’s desktop with Napster and LimeWire.

TIL that the HR that Babe Ruth hit at Hanlan’s Point in 1914 - his first as a pro - did not land in Lake Ontario (which has taken on mythical proportions), but in the RF bleachers. These are the kind of stones you can’t leave unturned when going through your book edits.

On this date in 1977, the Eaton Centre officially opened.

recently wrote a blog post about creating a website for viewing historical aerial imagery in Toronto check it out here! :) mdl.library.utoronto.ca/mdl-blog/cre... #toronto #history #maps #gis

Cecil Smith at the Toronto Skating Club, 1931. In 1924, at the age of 15, Cecil became the first Canadian female ever to participate at the Olympic Winter Games. In 1930, she became the first Canadian to win a World championship figure skating medal, bringing home silver. https://ow.ly/yBJH50Y8Xae

On this date in 1899, the Queen Street Bridge over the Don River was closed for eight days as a result of flooding caused by ice flows.

On this date in 1923, ten people were killed by a gas leak in the valve house of the Consumers Gas plant on Eastern Avenue.

100 years ago today: Guests of a masquerade party held by the Bank of Montreal in Toronto - Feb 7, 1926. (Part 1) #OTD #OnThisDay #1920s #masquerade #costumeparty #history #torontohistory #toronto #canada #jeremyhopkin

On this date in 1976, Darryl Sittler set an NHL record by scoring 10 points in a game against the Boston Bruins.

On this date in 1952, Toronto’s first 11 parking meters were installed on the west side of James Street. By the end of the week, 1,300 metres had been installed, not just on James Street.

Part 1 in a 2-part series by Cheryl Thompson on reggae legend Jimmy Cliff's connection to Toronto. #TOpoli #BlackHistoryMonth spacing.ca/toronto/2026...

From Bay Street brokerage firms to Communist spy. Jennifer Miles is just one of the spies we'll be talking about in SECRET TORONTO: SPIES, TRAITORS & UNDERCOVER AGENTS. The new online course starts Thursday night — pay what you like! tinyurl.com/secretTOreg

Black slavery arrived in Canada with the loyalists. This is the story of the people who were enslaved, the woman whose defiance prompted the government to take action, and the threats of enslavement faced by Black Torontonians even after emancipation. spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Q8rOOSuvs0b

On this date in 1901, “At the request of City Council, memorial services are to be held throughout the city today in tribute to Queen Victoria who died January 22. Places of business and entertainment will remain closed until sundown.”

Toronto Concert History: 55 years ago tonight - February 1, 1971 - Chicago play Maple Leaf Gardens.