Canada has lost one of its most distinctive editorial cartoonists. Andy Donato spent 55 years at the Toronto Sun, using humour, caricature, and a sharp eye for politics and public life to leave a lasting mark on Canadian journalism. Christina Blizzard, a former colleague of Donato at the Sun, reflects on his career, his mischief, and the legacy he leaves behind. Read the full tribute: buff.ly/xcn3Dwv #CanadianHistory #AndyDonato #PoliticalCartoons #Journalism #CIHE

On Battle of Britain Day, we remember “The Few”—the airmen who defended Britain against Nazi Germany during one of the most consequential battles of the Second World War. September 15, 1940, marked the climax of the battle. The Luftwaffe launched a massive assault intended to overwhelm Britain’s defences. Instead, the Royal Air Force inflicted heavy losses, helping to prevent a German invasion and demonstrating that Hitler’s forces could be stopped. Among “The Few” were more than 100 Canadian pilots. Some served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, while others flew in RAF squadrons. They came from communities across Canada, crossed the Atlantic and took to the skies knowing that every mission could be their last. Their experiences are brought to life in Ted Barris’s Battle of Britain: Canadian Airmen in Their Finest Hour. The book restores Canadians to a story in which their contributions have too often been overlooked. To mark Battle of Britain Day, read Christina Blizzard’s review, “Among ‘The Few’ were an awful lot of Canadians,” on the CIHE website: buff.ly/2BC8fqP #BattleOfBritainDay #BattleOfBritain #CanadianHistory #MilitaryHistory #SecondWorldWar #RCAF #HistoryMatters

On August 27, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the American federal government to call Lake Ontario “Lake America.” The order followed the breakdown of Canada–U.S. trade negotiations and an escalating tariff dispute. It directs U.S. federal agencies to adopt the new name—but it does not determine what Canada, international organizations or anyone outside the American government must call the lake. Before Lake Ontario was an internationally recognized boundary, it already had a name. “Ontario” comes from the Wendat word “Ontari’io”, commonly translated as “the lake is beautiful” or “the lake is great.” The name is more than 400 years old, predating both Canadian Confederation and the United States’ Declaration of Independence. The lake’s history also shows why neither country can treat it as its own. During the War of 1812, control of Lake Ontario was essential to moving troops and supplies. The British operated from Kingston, while the Americans built ships at Sackets Harbor, New York. What followed was an extraordinary freshwater naval arms race. In 1814, British shipbuilders launched HMS St Lawrence, a massive warship carrying 112 guns. Its presence helped secure British control of the lake late in the war without it ever fighting a major battle. But the more important development came afterward. In 1817, Britain and the United States reached the Rush–Bagot Agreement. On Lake Ontario, each side was permitted only one small armed vessel. The fleets that had represented their struggle for control were dismantled, beginning the gradual demilitarization of the Great Lakes. The 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty strengthened cooperation between the two countries. It protected shared navigation rights and created the International Joint Commission to help Canada and the United States prevent and resolve disputes over their boundary waters. Lake Ontario has been a transportation route, a battlefield, an international boundary and an economic highway. Over time, it also became an example of something Canada and the United States have historically done remarkably well: managing shared geography through treaties, institutions and cooperation. A president can change the name used on his government’s maps. But that cannot erase the Indigenous history carried in the name Ontario or change the geographical reality that has shaped relations across the lake for centuries: The lake is shared. Sources: White House, Executive Order 14420, August 27, 2026; Rush–Bagot Agreement, 1817; Boundary Waters Treaty, 1909; International Joint Commission; Naval History and Heritage Command; Parks Canada, Library Archives Canada

Celebrating One Year of Making — and Recording — History on Social Media One year ago, CIHE stepped into the public square with a mission: to make Canadian history more accessible, more relevant, and more grounded in context and evidence. What started as an effort to restore balance to conversations around historical figures like Sir John A. Macdonald, Egerton Ryerson, and Henry Dundas has grown into a national conversation about historical literacy, identity, sovereignty, and public memory. Over the past year, we’ve reached millions of Canadians through social media, launched the History Matters podcast, given a platform for leading historians through live and recorded events and built a growing community of Canadians who believe context matters Because history isn’t just about the past. It’s how we understand the present — and shape the future. Thank you for being part of the conversation. #HistoryMatters #CanadianHistory #CIHE

We are shocked and saddened to hear that Lindsay Shepherd .@newworldhominin, author of A Day with Sir John A, is reportedly being targeted by activists. No author should face campaigns of intimidation for writing a book or sharing ideas, particularly a book that teaches kids about such a vital figure in Canadian history. Furthermore, taxpayers shouldn't be bankrolling attacks on legitimate authors and historians. It's all fun and games until a country loses its history. Debate ideas if you disagree — don’t try to silence people or trick them with fraudulent behaviour. #StandWithLindsay #FreeExpression