by catpaw | 9 Jul, 2025
It’s Nunavut Day!
July 9 marks the anniversary of the establishment of Nunavut as a separate territory in northern Canada, with Inuit taking control of their lives and lands.
Nunavut — “our land” in the Inuktitut language – has been home to Inuit for millennia and part of Canada for more than a century. Embracing both traditional knowledge and values and the new opportunities presented by technologies like the Internet, the Government of Nunavut now provides a wide range of services tailored to the unique needs of approximately 37,082 residents.
About Nunavut | Government of Nunavut
Two stamps were issued in 1999 featuring Nunavut, although neither specifically for Nunavut Day. The first celebrated the creation of the new territory. The second was part of a larger series for Canada’s Confederation.
Creation of Nunavut Territory
Issued by Canada 1999
Designer: Bonne Zabolotney and Susan Point
Nunavut
This stamp was part of the 150th Anniversary. of the Confederation of Canada series issued in 1999
Designer: Subplot Design Inc.
It is also massive, covering 2 million km2 that includes both mainland and Arctic Archipelago, most of which is above the treeline. The majority of people in Nunavut are Inuit, living in approximately 25 communities scattered across the vast land. gn_info_packages-_nunavut_communities-sm.pdf. 4 languages are spoken in Nunavut, Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English and French, with the majority speaking Inuinnaqtun.
Last year we dipped over to Russia – Grand Duchess Catherine Alekseyevna (Catherine the Great) led a coup that ousted her husband Peter III.
by catpaw | 1 Jul, 2025
Another year has passed and its time once again for Canada Day.
Last year’s Stamp of the Day was a full blown celebration of Canada Day with a couple of cool stamps and a lot of link. It’s been a long, weird year here in the Great White North. We’ve learned a lot about ourselves and hopefully our future. It’s going to be a bumpy ride in the coming years, so let’s celebrate our diversity today and revel in a bit of fun and peace.
Canada Day
Released by Canada Post in 1992
Designed by Pierre-Yves Pelletier
The sheet represents each province and territory in Canada
Have fun my fellow Canadians. We have a lot of work ahead of us. High expectations and a lot of perilous days. Elbows Up and never forget what it is to be Canadian.
Québec, Patrimoine Mondial
British Columbia, Christie Passage, Hurst Island, B.C
Ontario, Toronto, Landmarks of Time
Manitoba, Near the Forks
Newfoundland, Off Cape St. Francis
New Brunswick, Crowd at City Hall
Alberta, Across the Tracks to Shop
Nova Scotia, Cove Scene
Saskatchewan, Untitled
Yukon, Town Life
Prince Edward Island, Country Scene
Northwest Territories, Playing on an Igloo
Canada Day | The Canadian Encyclopedia
by catpaw | 30 Jun, 2025
A crowd of 25,000 people gathered on both sides of Niagara Falls on June 30 1859 to witness French tightrope walker Charles Blondin attempt to cross the Niagara gorge.
He successfully crossed the Niagara gorge traversing a 1,300 ft long, 3.25 in in diameter rope made of made out of hemp at a dizzying 160 ft above the roaring water. In the following year, he crossed back and forth numerous times.
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Part of the 2003 Tourist Attractions (3rd series)
Canada Post
Designer: Catherine Bradbury
Charles Blondin became so comfortable on the wire over Niagara that some critics grew tired of his “boorish” behavior. While some witnesses could not believe their eyes as they watched Blondin conduct himself as if he was walking down a sidewalk and over the boiling waters of Niagara.
Charles Blondin | Niagara Falls Up Close
Charles Blondin Crossing the Niagara River
The Daredevil of Niagara Falls
in 2024, Elsa Beskow, Swedish author and illustrator was honoured.
by catpaw | 27 Jun, 2025
On June 27, 1860, The Queen’s Plate, North America’s oldest, continuous thoroughbred horse ran for the first time.
Originally run on the Carleton racetrack in the Toronto Junction, the annual race now takes place at Woodbine racetrack in Etobicoke, Ontario. At the request of Ontario Lieutenant Governor Sir Casimir Gzowski, Queen Victoria gave her approval for the Queen’s Plate. Initially the prize was to be a “a plate to the value of 50 guineas”, hence the plate reference, but a gold cup was picked instead. The first winner was Don Juan.
150th Birth Anniversary of Sir Casimir Gzowski (1813-1898)
Issued by Canada in 1963
Designed by Ephrum Philip Weiss and engraved by Yves Baril and Donald J. Mitchell
Sir Casimir Gzowski (1813, March 5 – 1898, August 24)
Issued by Poland in 1978
Designed by Helena Matuszewska
Gzowski was born in St Petersburg, Russia to Polish parents from the Grodno district. He emigrated to Canada in 1842 and built a successful engineering career before entering a long public service career.
Queen Victoria (1819-1901)
Issued by Canada
Part of the “Small Queen” series
Northern Dancer
Part of Canada Post’s Canadian Horses 4 stamp set from 1999
Designed by Pierre-Yves Pelletier
Northern Dancer was the first Canadian bred horse to win the Plate. June 25, 1964.
In the 165 years of its operation, the race has alternated between Queen’s Plate and King’s Plate, depending upon who is the current monarch.
Home – Kings Plate
Last year also offered up a more Canadian history. The day was devoted to Canadian military transport pilot and first female bush pilot Violet Milstead died on June 27, 2014.
by catpaw | 24 Jun, 2025
Laura Secord’s dangerous journey to warn of an impending American attack helped win the Battle of Beaver Dams June 24, 1813.
300 Cayuga warriors, later joined by 100 Mohawk under the command of Captain William Kerr were able to intercept the Americans and force their surrender..
By 1813, the US invaded Canada, again. By June they were occupying homes in Queenston, Ontario. One of the residents of the town, Laura Secord, had to endure American officers occupying her home, while she nursed her injured husband, James Secord, a soldier fighting for the British. She overheard the American officers discussing plans to launch a surprise attack on an outpost commanded by Lieutenant FitzGibbon. On the morning of June 21, 1813, Secord quietly slipped away walking a treacherous 32 kilometres to warn Fitzgibbon.
Laura Secord (1775-1868)
Issued in 1992 by Canada Post
Part of the Canadian Folklore (3rd series), Legendary Heroes series
Designers for the set: Allan Cormack, Deborah Drew-Brook and Ralph Tibbles
Laura Secord, Legendary Patriot [graphic material] = Laura Secord, Héroïne légendaire
original water colour proof
Laura Secord
Issued 2013 by Canada Post
Part of the Bicentenary of the War of 1812 (2nd series)
Designer: Susan Scott
In order to warn the British troops at Beaver Dams some 19 kilometres (12 miles) away, Laura Secord employed a circuitous, roundabout route to evade capture and detection by the Americans, travelling first to family at St Davids and then on to Shipman’s Corners (present day St. Catharines). In spite of exhaustion, Laura’s adventure continued through forests and fields but followed in the direction of Twelve Mile Creek. Ultimately, she came across a First Nations encampment, managing to overcome her fear and explain what she had discovered about the pending American attack.
The indigenous chief took Laura Secord to Lieutenant Fitzgibbon to report what she knew about American intentions. First Nations scouts reported to Captain Dominique Ducharme on June 24, 1813 about the advance of American troops towards Beaver Dams. This information was sent to Lieutenant Fitzgibbon and a trap was being set by the British and their First Nations allies. How things would play out was still up in the air since the Americans, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles G. Boerstler, were aware that First Nations scouts had spotted their troops.
Snapshots in History: June 21-24: Remembering Laura Secord and the Battle of Beaver Dams – Albert Campbell District Blog
This is the route Secord took. The image is courtesy Niagara Falls reviews who created this wonderful map and info brochure. The intro to the brochure puts the walk into perspective.
“Just over 200 years ago, a 37-year-old wife and mother of five began a gruelling 20-mile walk through mosquito-, wolf-and snake-infested territory across the Niagara Escarpment. She did it with full knowledge that the invading army she intended to foil, patrolled those roads and pathways she avoided, with full intent to execute her on the spot should they learn she were a spy. Paul Revere has nothing on Canada’s Laura Secord.”
Map showing Laura Secord Legacy Trail (33.4 km), starting in the east at Laura Secord’s homestead (●) and wending indirectly to DeCew House in the west (●). The map was created by Lori Steglinski and Leah Bercovitch of Niagara College, who marked the trail (■■■■) on an aerial photograph from Niagara Region. Map courtesy of Friends of Laura Secord. 24 secord.pdf
So its no wonder two Canadian stamps have featured Laura Secord over the years. She was a badass.
What else happened on June 24? It’s an all Canadian date with Mary Pickford featured last year.
