Today in history: November 6

1861: The inventor of basketball, Dr. James Naismith, is born in Almonte, Ont. 1867: The first session of the Dominion of Canada's first Parliament opens in Ottawa. James Cockburn, MP for the Ontario riding of Northumberland West, is unanimously elected as the first Speaker. 1879: Thanksgiving Day is first observed as a national holiday in Canada. On Jan. 31, 1957, Parliament proclaimed Thanksgiving as a holiday on the second Monday in October. 1984: Colin Thatcher, a former Saskatchewan cabinet minister, is found guilty in Saskatoon of murdering his ex-wife. He was sentenced to life in prison. He was granted full parole on Nov. 30, 2006.

(With files from CBC News, The Canadia

 

Today in history: November 3

1873: During the Pacific Scandal, Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald defends himself against corruption charges in a five-hour speech to Parliament. He resigned two days later. 1957: The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 2, the first artificial satellite to carry a dog (Laika) into space. 1978: Wayne Gretzky scores his first goal for the Edmonton Oilers in a 4-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in the World Hockey Association. The 17-year-old had been sold to the Oilers by the Indianapolis Racers the previous day. 1999: Madam Justice Beverley McLachlin is appointed as the first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

(With files from CBC News, The Canadian Press, The Associated Press and Reuters)

 

Today in history: October 31

1902: The first Pacific telegraph line from Canada to Australia is completed. 

1956: A U.S. Navy transport plane becomes the first aircraft to land at the South Pole.

1977: The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, the first modern Indigenous land claim agreement and treaty in Canada, becomes law. 

2002: The Supreme Court of Canada rules 5-4 to grant penitentiary inmates the right to vote in federal elections.

(With files from CBC News, The Canadian Press, The Associated Press and Reuters)