Highlights of the day

  • 1917 - Canadians Capture Vimy Ridge

List of Facts for April 9

  • 1682 Count Frontenac recalled as Governor by the King after bitter quarrels with Intendant Jacques Duchesneau. Quebec, Quebec
  • 1682 René-Robert de La Salle erects a cross and proclaims the Mississippi delta the property of Louis XIV; calls it Louisiana and the Mississippi River la Rivière Colbert after the administrator of France; he and Tonty had arrived at the Gulf on April 6 with 22 other French explorers. Louisiana
  • 1799 Asa Danforth begins building road from the town of York toward the Trent River; an American immigrant, he gives his name to Danforth Avenue. Toronto, Ontario
  • 1869 HBC shareholders accept terms of Rupert’s Land Act of 1868; Hudson Bay Company cedes its territory to Canada. London, England
  • 1885 J.F. Allison appointed Gold Commissioner for the Tulameen region.
  • 1906 St. Paul’s Anglican church in Blairmore, dedicated. Blairmore, Alberta
  • 1913 Gilman-Warren Agreement between Great Northern and the Kettle Valley Railway for mutual construction of and operation on the Hope-Princeton section of their lines (finalized July 10, 1914).
  • 1917 First World War - Arthur Currie leads all four divisions of the Canadian Corps, fighting as a unit for the First time, with one of Lt.-Gen. Julian Byng’s British brigades, to Easter Monday victory at Vimy Ridge. In the space of five days, along a 6.4 km front, using 1,000 guns and a masterful artillery barrage technique developed by Currie and his gunners, they take the German stronghold where the French and British had earlier failed they take more ground, and capture more guns and prisoners than any previous British offensive; 3,598 Canadians killed, 7,000 wounded. From that day onward, Germany is on the defensive. Vimy, France
  • 1917 First World War - Major Thain Wendell MacDowell’s bravery on this day earns him the Victoria Cross. Official citation: “For most conspicuous bravery and indomitable resolution in face of heavy machine gun and shell fire. By his initiative and courage this officer, with the assistance of two runners, was enabled, in the face of great difficulties, to capture two machine guns, besides two officers and seventy-five men. Although wounded in the hand, he continued for five days to hold the position gained, in spite of heavy shell fire, until eventually relieved by his battalion. By his bravery and prompt action he undoubtedly succeeded in rounding up a very strong enemy machine gun post.” (Biography)
  • 1919 Government appoints Royal Commission on Industrial Relations; to look at high cost of living as it affects labour. Ottawa, Ontario
  • 1929 Canadian Ambassador Vincent Massey protests against sinking of Canadian schooner I’m Alone; crew released; case of rum-runner to go to arbitration. Washington, DC
  • 1932 Toronto Maple Leafs sweep New York Rangers in 3 games for the Stanley Cup. Toronto, Ontario
  • 1935 Montreal Maroons sweep Toronto Maple Leafs in 3 games for the Stanley Cup. Montreal, Quebec
  • 1940 Clarence Decatur ‘C. D.’ Howe appointed Minister of Munitions and Supply; phases out War Supply Board. Ottawa, Ontario
  • 1945 Canadian troops trap the remaining German armies in the Netherlands, cutting off all land escape routes. Netherlands
  • 1946 Montreal Canadiens beat Boston Bruins 4 games to 1 for the Stanley Cup. Montreal, Quebec
  • 1961 Harold Macmillan British Prime Minister visits Ottawa for two days of talks with Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. Ottawa, Ontario
  • 1962 CPR employees at Royal York Hotel in Toronto end 11-month strike. Toronto, Ontario
  • 1973 Canada and US agree on contingency plan to clean up potential off-shore oil spills. Washington, DC
  • 1975 Ottawa and Premiers start two-day meeting in Ottawa; fail to agree on future domestic oil prices. Ottawa, Ontario
  • 1984 Commons passes Canada Health Act; provinces allowing extra billing will lose $1 for every $1 collected starting July 1. Ottawa, Ontario
  • 1987 Los Angeles Kings 3, Edmonton Oilers 13
  • 1987 Edmonton Oilers Wayne Gretzky scores 7 points in a Stanley Cup game for the third time; passes Jean Beliveau as all-time playoff scoring champion. Edmonton, Alberta
  • 1987 Supreme Court of Canada rules that the right to strike is not guaranteed by the constitution. Ottawa, Ontario
  • 1988 Edmonton Oilers 4. Winnipeg Jets 6
  • 1990 Sovereignty - Jean-François Lisée publishes ‘Dans l’oeil de l’aigle’ claiming that René Lévesque regularly gave the US an advance look at sensitive legislation before showing it to the Parti Québecois Cabinet. Quebec, Quebec
  • 1990 Aboriginal - Ottawa signs final land claim agreement with 15,000 Dene-Métis of the Mackenzie Valley; they are awarded surface title to 181,230 sq km land, mineral rights to 10,000 sq km and $500 million cash over 20 years. Yellowknife, NWT
  • 1990 Angus Reid releases poll showing Brian Mulroney’s Tories at only 15% of decided voters; historic low for governing party; Liberals 53%, NDP 23%, Reform 6% (30% in Alberta), 29% undecided. Ottawa, Ontario
  • 1991 Gilbert Chartrand defects from Bloc Québecois back to Conservatives, says Bloc wants destruction of Canada; also concerned by PQ decision to support Bloc. Ottawa, Ontario
  • 1991 Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari winds up three day visit to Canada to promote continental free trade pact. Ottawa, Ontario
  • 1993 Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins scores 5 goals against the New York Rangers.
  • 1995 Steve Stavro of Knob Hill Farms acquires Maple Leaf Gardens and the Toronto Maple Leafs from Harold Ballard Charities (Harold Ballard’s estate) for $23 million as part payment for an overall cost of $167 million. Toronto, Ontario 2009, April 1 - Foreign Affairs - Stephen Harper wins agreement at G20 summit to extend for 12 months a pledge not to raise trade barriers. Toronto, Ontario