Canada’s history is filled with remarkable events, bold innovations, and surprising contributions that challenge its polite reputation. While often overlooked, Canada has played a significant role in global conflicts, scientific advancements, and cultural movements. Some of its most fascinating moments seem almost unbelievable, yet they are well-documented.
Strange experiments, groundbreaking inventions, and quirky policies reveal a country full of unexpected twists. Its past is shaped by ambitious decisions and unusual occurrences that make its legacy far more intriguing than commonly assumed. These 10 surprising facts highlight how Canada’s history defies expectations.
Canada’s Participation in the Russian Civil War
In 1918, Canada sent several contingents as part of an Allied force supporting Russia’s “White” forces against the Bolsheviks. The government contributed 4,000 troops to British-led operations in Siberia, aiming to safeguard supplies and resist Bolshevism. However, the mission was short-lived, with Canadian forces withdrawing by mid-1919 after limited success. The expedition resulted in 24 casualties before Canada ended its involvement.
Canada Created Basketball
James Naismith, a Canadian educator, developed basketball in 1891 while teaching in Massachusetts. His goal was to invent a skill-based winter sport, using peach baskets as the first hoops. Canadian students helped introduce the game across Canada, fueling its growth. By 1900, basketball had taken root in schools, clubs, and YMCAs throughout the country.
The Canadian Town That Built a UFO Landing Pad
St. Paul, Alberta, built the world’s first UFO Landing Pad in 1967 as a town landmark with government support. During its grand opening, St. Paul was declared Canada’s Centennial Capital. In the 1990s, Mayor Paul Langevin added a UFO Tourist Information Centre to attract visitors. Today, guests can explore exhibits on UFO sightings, crop circles, and report strange encounters.
Canada’s Real-Life Winnie-the-Pooh
In 1914, Canadian soldier and veterinarian Harry Colebourn purchased a black bear cub from a trapper in White River, Ontario, naming her “Winnipeg” after his hometown. Winnie became his regiment’s mascot before he left her at the London Zoo while deploying to the Western Front. There, she caught the attention of Christopher Robin Milne, son of author A.A. Milne, who adored the gentle bear. Inspired by his son’s fascination, Milne created Winnie-the-Pooh, turning a Canadian bear into a beloved literary icon.
Canada Has Underground Cities
Montreal’s Underground City, or RÉSO, is the largest pedestrian network in the world, spanning 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) of tunnels connecting key sites. Originally built in 1962 to link Place Ville-Marie with nearby buildings, it has expanded into a vital year-round transit system. Around half a million people use it daily, especially during peak winter months, to access shops, restaurants, hotels, and cultural attractions. It even houses public art, including a stained-glass tribute to the city and a section of the Berlin Wall.
The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist
Between 2011 and 2012, thieves stole over $18 million worth of maple syrup from Quebec’s strategic reserve, replacing barrels with water. The theft, uncovered in 2012 during an inventory check, led to the arrest of at least 16 individuals. Ringleader Richard Valliere received an eight-year prison sentence and a $9 million fine. The scandal prompted stricter security measures for Canada’s maple syrup reserves.
Canada Once Banned Crime Comics
In 1949, Canada passed a law banning the sale and distribution of crime-themed comic books, blaming them for rising youth delinquency. The move was influenced by now-discredited research, including work by American psychologist Fredric Wertham. Although prosecutions under the law stopped decades ago, it remained in the Criminal Code for nearly 70 years. In 2018, the law was finally repealed as part of an effort to remove outdated and unconstitutional sections from Canadian law.
Canada’s Nuclear Oil Extraction Plan
Canada explored using nuclear explosions to extract oil from Alberta’s deep oil sands in the 1950s under Operation Plowshare, a U.S.-led program promoting peaceful nuclear applications. The plan involved detonating a 9-kiloton nuclear device underground to liquefy the oil for easier extraction. While initially approved, concerns over radiation, groundwater contamination, and seismic risks led to its rejection. Public opposition and lack of congressional support ended Operation Plowshare in 1977.
Canada’s Polar Bear Jail
Churchill, Manitoba, earns its title as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World,” with residents frequently crossing paths with the massive animals. To manage those that linger too close, authorities place them in a “polar bear jail” for up to 30 days before relocation. This system prevents unnecessary killings while reducing human-bear conflicts. Despite Churchill’s embrace of bear tourism, climate change is pushing more polar bears onto land, increasing interactions with people.
Canada’s Invention of the Garbage Bag
Harry Wasylyk and Larry Hansen, two Canadian inventors, developed the first disposable green garbage bag in 1950, originally for hospital use. The innovation was later acquired by Union Carbide, which launched Glad Garbage Bags for household use in the late 1960s. These polyethylene bags revolutionized waste management but raised environmental concerns. In 1971, chemist James Guillet introduced biodegradable plastic, paving the way for more sustainable alternatives.
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