Canada Celebrates 158 Years of Confederation

Posted on July 1, 2025 by Edward Brain

Today marks the 158th birthday for the Dominion of Canada since Confederation on July 1st, 1867.

Confederation was created thanks to the hard work of many people, and helped to create the Canada we know today.

The Maple Leaf

On July 1st, 1867, three British colonies: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada (the combined colonies of Upper and Lower Canada, now Ontario and Quebec.)

Other provinces and territories were added over the years: Manitoba (1870), Northwest Territories (1870), British Columbia (1871), Prince Edward Island (1873), Yukon Territory (1898), Alberta (1905), Saskatchewan (1905), Newfoundland and Labrador (1949), and Nunavut (1999.)

So, Happy 158th Birthday, Canada!

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Remembering James Last

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Edward Brain

June 9th, 2025 marks 10 years since the passing of German band leader James Last. For many years he was the leader of his own band, the James Last Orchestra after starting out as a jazz bassist.

Mr. Last remains on the Royal Albert Hall’s list as making the second most number of appearances at the venue, with 90 concerts, only behind Eric Clapton.

He would sell more than 200 albums, with 200 gold and 14 platinum discs in Germany alone during his career.

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81st Anniversary of the D-Day Landings

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Edward Brain

Today, June 6th, 2025, marks the 81st Anniversary of the D-Day Landings as part of Operation Overlord – the opening of the second front in Europe as part of World War II.

As part of Operation Overlord, the D-Day Landings were officially given the code name of Operation Neptune.

On this day in 1944, troops from Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.A landed at five beaches along the Normandy coast: Gold, Juno, Omaha, Sword, and Utah,

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10 Years of Union Pearson Express

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Edward Brain

Today, June 6th, 2025, the Union Pearson Express in Toronto celebrates 10 years of service.

I rode the train on the first day of service, on June 6th, 2015: Union-Pearson Express Enters Service.

Union-Pearson Express
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Videos Uploaded in May 2025

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Edward Brain

During May, I uploaded a number of videos to my Youtube Channels.

Following are a selection of videos that I uploaded:

From my main channel, Edward’s Videos:

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Loretta Swit Passes Away at 87

Posted on June 1, 2025 by Edward Brain
Photo of Loretta Swit from the television program M.A.S.H.

Actress Loretta Swit, well known for her role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan the long running television show M*A*S*H, has passed away at the age of 87.

She was born Loretta Jane Szwedon November 4th, 1937 to Lester and Nellie Szwed in Passaic, New Jersey.

Ms. Swit would appear as a guest on shows such as Hawaii Five-O, Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, and Mannix starting in 1969.

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2025 Stanley Cup Finals Set

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Edward Brain

The 2025 Stanley Cup Finals are now set.

This year sees a rematch of last year’s finals as the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers. The Panthers won the Stanley Cup last year, beating out the Oilers in a seven games series.

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2025 NHL Conference Finals

Posted on May 20, 2025 by Edward Brain

The 2025 National Hockey League (NHL) Conference Finals are now set.

Let’s look at the match-ups:

Eastern Conference

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Victoria Day Walk Beside Mimico Harbour

Posted on May 20, 2025 by Edward Brain

Today I went for a walk in Humber Bay Promenade Park, along the western edge of Mimico Harbour in western Toronto/south Etobicoke.

It was a nice bright sunny afternoon, a bit cool but not bad.

I had my camera with me, so I managed to get some pictures:

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Happy Victoria Day 2025

Posted on May 19, 2025 by Edward Brain

Today, May 19th 2025, is Victoria Day in Canada. I want to wish every Canadian a very happy and safe Victoria Day.

Today marks the celebration of the birthday of Canada’s first monarch, Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901 and was Monarch when four British colonies – Canada West (Ontario), Canada East (Quebec), New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia – were combined together to create the Dominion of Canada.

Queen Victoria would see Canada grow rapidly, with the purchase of Rupert’s Land to form the Northwest Territory, as well Manitoba, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island all joining Confederation.

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