History Browser

After working with wind tunnels in university, Gerald Bull is developing ways to use a gun to launch a missile.

Dr. Gerald Bull was like a figure in a spy novel, designing arms for some of the world's harshest regimes. With no shortage of possible enemies, he died at the hands of an unknown assassin. But the Canadian-born artillery expert was also a brilliant scientist with a dream: to launch a satellite with a giant gun.

This report is an account of the Japanese balloon attacks against the United States and Canada in the final year of the Second World War, and the measures adopted, especially in Canada, to meet this new type of warfare. It also includes information on the effectiveness of the attacks and the types of weapons dropped by the balloons.

The British siege of Quebec began the night of Thursday, July 12, 1759. In that first day, three hundred British bombs fell on Quebec. Many churches were destroyed. From the television series "Canada: A People's History." Includes links to educational resources, bibliography, games, puzzles, and video clips.

The role and importance of artillery to the Canadian Army evolved as artillery technology improved. Canadian gunners began to use artillery in 1871 with 9-pound muzzle loaders and, by 1918, had adopted 18-pound field guns and 60-pound howitzers.

A woman recounts her experience working away from home for the first time during the war and how she carried on with life afterwards.

At midnight, June 28th, 1759, General Marquis de Montcalm launches his attack. He sends boats and rafts carrying gunpowder to ignite their cargo near the English fleet, anchored off Ile d'Orleans. From the television series "Canada: A People's History." Includes links to educational resources, bibliography, games, puzzles, video clips, and biography of General Montcalm.

As millions of people celebrated victory in Europe, the Allies prepared for the final struggle against Japan. Nearly 80,000 Canadians volunteered to join the Pacific forces but the war ended before they could be sent.

American efforts to build a navy on Lake Ontario gave them control of the lake in the spring of 1813. They launched a successful raid on the capital of Upper Canada, York (present-day Toronto) in April 1813. The defenders were defeated, and the town partially looted and burned.

After losing at Lundy's Lane in July 1814, the Americans fell back to Fort Erie, and were besieged there. Both sides took heavy losses during the August-September siege, and fought with great determination. The British fell back in defeat, but the Americans withdrew as well in November.