Alberta History articles from March 2005

Alberta History archives from March 2005

A century of Alberta political cartoons.(Cover Story)
March 22, 2005... Political cartoons have been with us ever since the days of Leonardo de Vinci when an artist named Agostino Carracci made a caricature of one of the Pope's guards. The art developed in England through the captivating cartoons that appeared in...

1905: Alberta's inauguration.(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "The Protest of the West" Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier and Justice Minister Charles Fitzpatrick try to push and pull "The West" into autonomy. Slowing the procedure were discussions of language rights, schools, and natural resources. The...

1905: Alberta's resources.(Calgary Eye Opener)(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... Frank Oliver and Prime Minister Laurier sing with happiness as Alberta is denied control of minerals, lands, timber, and separate schools at the time of inauguration. Laurier is saying, "I don't think these cutlets are good for you, my dear...

1905: dispute over the capital.(Red Deer Will Bear Watching)(Calgary Eye Opener)(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "Red Deer will bear watching" With tongue in cheek, C.F. Forrester shows Calgary and Edmonton fighting over the location of Alberta's future capital while Red Deer quietly creeps off with it. Cartoon in Calgary Eye Opener, March 5, 1905....

1905: choice of the capital.(Watch Me Scare 'Em)(Calgary Eye Opener)(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... Long before the capital was chosen, Frank Oliver, editor of the Edmonton Bulletin and federal Minister of the Interior, shows that he has already made his choice. Oliver is saying "Watch me scare 'em." Cartoon in Calgary Eye Opener, Feb. 4,...

1905: Alberta's first cabinet.(Calgary Eye Opener)(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... Bob Edwards in the Calgary Eye Opener, Sept. 23, 1905, shows the Alberta cabinet meeting for the first time. He states, "the actual governing of Alberta being conducted at Ottawa, our cabinet was at first at a loss what to do." Then Attorney...

1907: University of Alberta established.(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... The University Act was passed in 1906, and the first classes held in a schoolroom in 1908. In 1912 Athabasca Hall became the first building on the campus. This cartoon appeared in the Edmonton Journal, Sept. 28, 1912. [ILLUSTRATION...

1911: opening the Edson trail.(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... With the completion of the of the railway to Edson, the winter of 1910-11 was spent building a road from there to Grande Prairie. Hundreds of Peace River settlers used this route until a railroad was built to the North. Cartoon in Edmonton...

1911: first aeroplane flight.(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "Bob St. Henry Romps Aloft at Exhibition Grounds Today" Perhaps the name was wrong but the historic recording of Alberta's first aeroplane flight was correct. St. Henry could not make the flight so his assistant, Hugh Robinson, flew...

1912: rush of immigration.
March 22, 2005... Shortly after the turn of the century, immigrants began flocking into Alberta, boosting the population from 73,000 in 1900 to 374,000 by 1911. The wave of settlement continued until the outbreak of war. This cartoon is from the Edmonton...

1912: railway to the north opened.(Edmonton Journal)(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... The completion of a railway from Edmonton to Athabasca was heralded as an historical event that would open the Peace River for settlement. Cartoon in Edmonton Journal, Aug. 7, 1912. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

1912: boom in Calgary.(The Golden Horn of Plenty Pours a Wealth of Factories and Industries into the Lap of Miss Calgary)(Calgary Herald)(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "The Golden Horn of Plenty pours a wealth of factories and industries into the lap of Miss Calgary" The 1912 boom resulted in the rapid growth of Calgary and the expansion of business and industry. Cartoon in the Calgary Herald by "Buck"...

1912: boom in Edmonton.(Edmonton's Horn of More than a Plenty)(Edmonton Journal)(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "Edmonton's Horn of More than a Plenty" Edmonton profited by the 1912 boom with more construction, bank clearings, and imports. Cartoon in Edmonton Journal, June 6, 1912. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

1912: railway scandals.(No Change on the Horizon)(Edmonton Journal)(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "No Change on the Horizon" The first Alberta government was beset by scandals regarding the financing of railway construction. Here, Premier Arthur Sifton tries to keep the Liberal boat afloat when it runs aground on the Alberta & Great...

1912: international dry farming congress.(Edmonton Journal)(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... A world-class conference was held in Lethbridge to promote the use of irrigation. It drew the largest gathering of experts and farmers ever assembled in North America, including 5,000 delegates from 15 foreign countries. Cartoon in Edmonton...

1912: amalgamation of Edmonton and Strathcona.(Edmonton Journal)(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... When this cartoon appeared in the Edmonton Journal, March 18, 1911, negotiations were underway to amalgamate the cities of Edmonton and Strathcona. This became a reality in the following year. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

1912: first Calgary Stampede.(A Steer's Nightmare)(Calgary Herald)(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "A Steer's Nightmare" The first Calgary Stampede in 1912 was a huge success and was later incorporated into the Calgary Exhibition. This cartoon in the Calgary Herald, Sept. 3, 1912, provides a steer's eye view of the proceedings. ...

1912: Marquis wheat.(Edmonton Journal)(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... Marquis wheat was developed in a laboratory by Charles Saunders in 1904. A few samples were given to farmers in 1909 and by 1912 it had revolutionized wheat growing, largely replacing the older varieties on the prairies. Marquis was prized...

1914: oil discovered at Turner Valley.
March 22, 2005... "J'Ever See Such Luck?" Merchants cheered with the discovery of oil at Turner Valley in 1914. The cartoon came from the Regina Leader and was reprinted on the front page of the Calgary Albertan on May 23, 1914. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

1914: outbreak of World War One.(A United Empire)(Edmonton Journal )(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "A United Empire" The Edmonton Journal depicted unity with Britain and the Commonwealth at the outbreak of World War One. Many Canadians died in the trenches of France in the next four years. Cartoon, Aug. 5, 1914. [ILLUSTRATION...

1916: votes for women.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... On April 19, 1916, the Alberta legislature passed an Act extending the vote to women and experienced no significant opposition. Charles Forrester depicted the event in the Calgary Eye Opener, March 18, 1916, with Justice holding the scales of...

1916: introduction of prohibition.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... The western provinces voted in favour of prohibition in 1915, to become effective on July 1, 1916. This cartoon by Arch Dale in the Grain Growers Guide, Jan. 26, 1916, is a clear warning to the barflies of what to expect. Prohibition ended in...

1918: Drumheller coal strikes.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "Kaiserism in Alberta" During the latter years of World War One, the suppression of a coal miners' strike in Drumheller was compared to the dictatorial actions of the Kaiser. The strike occurred when a mine manager (with the whip) closed...

1918: influenza outbreak.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... In October 1918, returning soldiers brought the worldwide flu epidemic to Alberta. When it was over, 38,000 people in the province had been infected and 4,000 had died. As part of the defence, people were asked to wear masks in public. In spite...

1919: labour unrest and formation of One Big Union.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "The World's Greatest Problem. What is the Answer?" In 1919 a meeting was held in Calgary to form the One Big Union, a radical labour organization to bring all labour under one group. Some strongly supported the move but others, as...

1921: election of UFA.
March 22, 2005... "Nailing the Colours" History was made in the province when the United Farmers of Alberta swept the Liberals out of office and formed the new government. Cartoon in the Grain Growers Guide, Aug. 17, 1921. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

1922: introduction of radio.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... In the spring, CJCA in Edmonton became the first station in Alberta to air a radio broadcast. It was followed a few days later by Calgary and Lethbridge. Soon there was a frenzy of interest in radio and regular radio pages appeared in daily...

1923: formation of the Alberta Wheat Pool.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... After World War One, grain prices fell from $1.55 a bushel in 1920 to 56 cents in 1923. Many farmers believed the only way they could get equitable prices was through co-operation. The Pool began signing up members in August 1st and marketed 34...

1933: the Great Depression.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... By 1933, the West was in the depths of the Great Depression. The plight of the farmer is reflected in this cartoon by Vernon V. Greene, in the Calgary Herald, Sept. 2, 1933. Although grain prices have risen, he has no crops because of the...

1935: Social Credit campaigns.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "The Old Medicine Man and the New Cure-All" On July 24, just weeks before the 1935 election, the Calgary Herald published this cartoon. The caption reads: "Medicine Man--'Lade-e-z and Gents--I have no testimonials from economists or...

1935: Social Credit forms government.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "The New Signalman" On Aug. 21, 1935, the day before the provincial election, the Calgary Herald published this cartoon by Stewart Cameron, showing William Aberhart enticing voters to cross the tracks with a train coming. It had no...

1939: outbreak of World War Two.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "Why Ten Million Men are Under Arms" This cartoon of Adolf Hitler in the Sept. 5, 1939 issue of the Edmonton Bulletin says it all. Five days after it appeared, Canada declared war on Germany and Italy. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

1947: postwar reconstruction.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "Catching Up" Postwar reconstruction was a major concern after 1945. Money was flowing again but industry could not keep up with the demand. Cartoon in the Calgary Herald, May 7, 1947. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

1947: discovery of oil at Leduc.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "Another Welcome Shower" Strangely, cartoonists appear to have been silent when Leduc No. 1 gushed into production on Feb. 13, 1947. This, in spite of the fact that in retrospect it was a major historic event. Not until the discovery of...

1948: Calgary wins Grey Cup.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "Make Way for the Stampeders" Canada's Grey Cup was never the same after Calgary went to Toronto and defeated Ottawa. Street parades, chuckwagons, pancakes, and western hoopla turned the sports event into an extravaganza. This cartoon by...

1954: introduction of television.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "But dear, we can't afford one." The introduction of television to Edmonton and Calgary on Oct. 1, 1954, has had an impact upon Alberta that is still being felt today. D.A. Shearer submitted this cartoon to the Calgary Herald, Oct. 27,...

1957: liquor laws relaxed.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... Alberta's liquor laws, which had remained relatively unchanged since Prohibition, allowed bars to sell only beer and for women to drink separately from the men. Liquor had to be obtained from the government liquor store. Finally a plebiscite...

1958: first Canadian Indian appointed to Senate.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... James Gladstone became the first Indian appointed to the Senate of Canada. A member of the Blood tribe, he served his people during the years when Indians did not have the vote. He is seen here in a cartoon by Everett Soop, in Kainai News, at...

1971: Conservatives elected to power.
March 22, 2005... The Social Credit party was virtually wiped out at the polls in Alberta when the Conservatives under the leadership of Peter Lougheed, took over the reins of government. Cartoonist Edd Ulushak portrayed the event in fitting style in the...

1975: development of Athabasca tar sands.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... In 1973 Syncrude Canada began to build a refinery to extract oil from the Athabasca tar sands but the project was placed in jeopardy in 1975 when Richfield Oil withdrew from the consortium. Artist Tom Innes showed Syncrude's plight in this Jan....

1978: Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... "Soup Line" On May 19, 1976 during the high oil prices, the government established the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund in order to put money aside "for a rainy day." It began with $1.5 billion, and started making loans to other...

1980: National Energy Program.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... On Oct. 28, 1980, federal Energy Minister Marc Lalond introduced the National Energy Program to gain federal control of the oil industry through price control and federal taxes. Between $50 billion and $100 billion was drained from the province...

1988: Calgary Winter Olympics.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... Alberta's first Olympics were held in February, bringing athletes from all over the world. It was not only a successful event, but left a number of sports facilities that have been an important legacy. Vance Rodewalt's cartoon in the Feb. 14,...

1992: Ralph Klein becomes premier.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... When Ralph Klein became premier he promised to downsize the government and balance the budget. He is shown in this Calgary Herald cartoon of Dec. 8, 1992, wielding a chain saw to fulfill his promises. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

2004: Alberta becomes debt-free.(Brief Article)(Cartoon)
March 22, 2005... On July 13, 2004, Premier Ralph Klein announced that Alberta was the only debt-free province in Canada. It had owed $23 billion when he took office in 1992. The Montreal Gazette recognized the event on the following day with a cartoon by Aislin...

Red Serge and Polar Bear Pants, The Biography of Harry Stallworthy, RCMP.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
March 22, 2005... Red Serge and Polar Bear Pants, The Biography of Harry Stallworthy, RCMP by William Barr. Edmonton: University of Alberta Press, 400 pp., illus., paper, $34.95. In 1913, Harry Stallworthy came from England to join his family on a...

Death, Danger and Disaster in the Crowsnest Pass Mines, 1902-28.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
March 22, 2005... Death, Danger and Disaster in the Crowsnest Pass Mines, 1902-28 by Karen Buckley. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 204 pp., illus., paper, $34.95. The Hillcrest Mine disaster of 1914 is famous in Crowsnest Pass history. Yet it is...

We are Included: the MEtis People of Canada Realize Rielis Vision.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
March 22, 2005... We Are Included: The MEtis People of Canada Realize Rielis Vision by John W. Friesen and Virginia Lyons Friesen. Calgary: Detselig Enterprises, 165 pp., illus., paper, $27.85 At the outset, the authors state, iThe purpose of this book...

More Legends of the Elders.(Book Review)(Brief Review)
March 22, 2005... More Legends of the Elders, by John W. and Virginia Friesen. Calgary: Detselig Enterprises, 64 pp., illus., paper, $12.95. This is the second of four booklets of Indian legends. All are brief and are from many Canadian and American tribes.

Donations.(Historical Society of Alberta: donations and benefits, December 2004 to March 2005)(Brief Article)
March 22, 2005... Historical Society of Alberta December 11, 2004 to March 1, 2005 Voyageur ($100 to $499, benefits 1-4) Myrtle Sequin, David & Phyllis Thomson, Dan Gallagher, and Bev Leggett. Explorer ($25 to $99, benefits 1-4) Donald Hepburn, Hilda...