History
Looking for Local History? London Room information is found in Genealogy and Local History
Looking for reading suggestions?
Books featured in our most recent History & Current Events newsletter
- Click on a book title to read a summary
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Related Programs
We offer programs related to History such as book talks, lectures and worshops. View them all here.
Government Documents in History
In the Government Documents area on the 3rd Floor of the Central branch library, you can find fascinating history resources such as :
The Bank of Canada: an illustrated history
Normandy, 1944: the Canadian summer
Canada and the battle of Vimy Ridge
A history of the vote in Canada
Magazine, Newspaper, Encyclopedia & Journal Articles
Use Information Databases to search thousands of current and expert articles on your topic at one time.
American History
American Revolution
Searching for Encyclopedias or Reference Books?
The Canadian Encyclopedia: American Revolution
Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia
Type in American Revolution for concise historical overview of this time in American history.
World Book Encyclopedia
Type in American Revolution in the search window to retrieve numerous articles on this topic.
The American Heritage Encyclopedia of American History
Look up Revolution, American for information.
The Oxford Companion to United States History
A chronological account is listed under Revolution, American.
Searching for Books?
Books about the American Revolution
Books about George Washington
Books about Thomas Jefferson
Books about John Adams
Searching for Audiovisual material?
Audio books about the American Revolution
DVD biographies of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams
Searching for Magazine, Journal and Newspaper Articles?
Using Information Databases, you will find articles published in magazines, newspapers and academic journals that you can’t find using the Internet. All our databases are listed on our website but we recommend you try the ones below first.
*If you are using a computer that isn’t in the library, you’ll be asked to type in your library card number.
Canadian Points of View Reference Centre
- Search in "Advanced Search"
- Search for "Full Text" and "Peer Reviewed", only
- Search term: American Revolution
- Type "American Revolution" in the search box
See all Information Databases.
What are Information Databases?
Recommended Websites
Library of Congress guide to the American Revolution
The digital collections of the Library of Congress contain a wide variety of material associated with the American Revolution, including manuscripts, broadsides, government documents, books, and maps. This guide compiles links to digital materials related to the American Revolution that are available throughout the Library of Congress Web site.
Liberty! The American Revolution (PBS television program)
LIBERTY! The American Revolution is a dramatic documentary about the birth of the American Republic and the struggle of a loosely connected group of states to become a nation. This award-winning PBS series brings the people, events and ideas of the revolution to life through military reenactments and dramatic recreations.
The Charters of Freedom (U.S. National Archives exhibit)
The American Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights have tried to guarantee the rights and freedoms of Americans for over 200 years. The United States National Archives web site reveals the dramatic events which led to the creation of these historic documents in the 18th century and their impact on the course of world history.
Mount Vernon (Virginia estate of George Washington)
For 150 years, Mount Vernon has existed as the national monument to the United States’ first president. Today, roughly 500 acres of this historic estate have been preserved 16 miles south of Washington, D.C., on the banks of the Potomac River.
Canadian History
Recommended Websites
General
Canada in the Making
This site has been designed for students and teachers of Canadian studies, history and law, but will also be useful to researchers and anyone else interested in Canada's past. It includes: Pioneers and Immigrants; Canada's political history; First Nations history. Use the Site Map and Site Index to find lots of great information and illustrations
Canadian Encyclopedia
A comprehensive and authoritative source on all things Canadian. There are special sections for a "Timeline of Canadian History" and "100 Greatest Events in Canadian History". This site can be searched by Keyword or through the Subject Index. Historica presents this site free of charge to all Canadians and to interested users around the world.
Canadian Information by Subject - Canadian History
THE definitive list of Internet resources compiled by Library and Archives Canada
Exploration: the fur trade and Hudson's Bay Company
This site is about the fur trade in Canada and how it led to the exploration of the country and the formation of the oldest and largest company in Canadian history: Hudson's Bay Company. Check out the Personalities section for biographies of explorers.
Great Canadian Mysteries
Find out about historical cold cases including sections on the Donnellys and the black slave Angelique who was accused of burning down Montreal.
Histor!ca
Discover the richness of Canada's history.
Historical censuses 1665 to 1871
Electronic version of 'Censuses of Canada, 1665 to 1871, Statistics of Canada, Volume IV’ was printed in Ottawa in 1876. This volume contains about 350 statistical tables on the social and economic conditions of Canada from 98 Censuses of the earliest settlements to Confederation in 1867 and on to 1871. The sidebar links to nine sections: eras in Canadian history from early exploration to 1871, the population of Aboriginal peoples, and finally, the Place names of localities by province, arranged according to the year they're first mentioned in the Censuses.
Historical maps of Canada
A Canadian Geographic site with many great historical maps of Canada
History of Canada (Wikipedia)
Online history of Canada
Library and Archives Canada
This website provides access to the collections and services of the national archives and national library of Canada. Select "Browse Selected Topics" from menu on the left side of the page. And don't miss "More topics ..."
Ontario History Quest
Ontario History Quest is a student learning resource dedicated to discovering Ontario's history - its people, their dreams, struggles and achievements.
Framing Canada: a photographic memory
Featuring photographs from various public and private collections, Framing Canada: A Photographic Memory presents a searchable database of digitized photographic images from 1843 to the mid-20th century. Produced by Library and Archives Canada.
Images Canada
Images Canada provides central search access to the thousands of images held on the websites of participating Canadian cultural institutions.
Biographies
Canadian Information by Subject : BIOGRAPHY
Search this National Library of Canada website under the alphabetic listing for Biography where there are numerous sources of information on notable Canadians from many fields of endeavour, through historic and contemporary time periods.
Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
Explore the history of Canada's inhabitants and their culture through this online resource which includes persons who died between the years 1000 and 1930. This major research project is produced by the University of Toronto and the Universite Laval.
heroines.ca : a Guide to Women in Canadian History
Includes individual and some group biographies of Canadian women in all fields of endeavour, as well as covering topics such as stamps, statues, historic sites, 'This month in Herstory' (significant dates), films and videos, etc.
Canadian Women and World War II
Searching for Reference Books?
Canadian Encyclopedia: “Wartime Home Front”
Searching for Books?
Books about the Canadian Women’s Corps
Biographies of Canadian War Brides
Books about Canadian women, 1939-1945 – Home and abroad
Other titles
Equal to the Challenge: Women’s Experiences during World War II
Searching for Magazine, Journal and Newspaper Articles?
Using Information Databases, you will find articles published in magazines, newspapers and academic journals that you can’t find using the Internet. All our databases are listed on our website but we recommend you try the ones below first.
*If you are using a computer that isn’t in the library, you’ll be asked to type in your library card number.
CBCA or Canadian Reference Centre
- Use the “advanced search” button
- Try “Canadian” or “Canada”, “women “,”world war II”, or “second world war”
See all Information Databases.
What are Information Databases?
There are microfilmed copies of Chatelaine Magazine and the London Free Press, published during the war, located at the Central Library. These are an excellent primary source of material for your research.
Recommended Websites
On Every Front: Canadian Women in the Second World War
National Film Board
Film excerpts, photo archives and an article by a specialist
“One Hundred Years of Labour Force” in Canadian Social Trends – Summer 2000
English French Relations
Searching for Encyclopedias or Reference Books?
The Canadian Encyclopedia: French Canadian Nationalism
Searching for Books?
Books about the Bloc Quebecois
Books about French Canadian Nationalism
Books about the Meech Lake Accord
Books about the Parti Quebecois
Books about Réne Lévesque
Books about the Quebec Referendum
Searching for Audiovisual material?
CBC documentary on the Referendum (DVD)
Searching for Magazine, Journal and Newspaper Articles?
Using Information Databases, you will find articles published in magazines, newspapers and academic journals that you can’t find using the Internet. All our databases are listed on our website but we recommend you try the ones below first.
*If you are using a computer that isn’t in the library, you’ll be asked to type in your library card number.
- Click on advanced search
- Try Quebec AND Separatism or Quebec AND Referendum or Bloc Quebecois
- Look at the list of suggested topics at the top of the page to further refine your search
- Limit to “full-text documents only”
- On the results screen, use the tabs labeled scholarly journals, magazines, newspapers to see results from these sources
Canadian Points of View Reference Centre
- Search for any of the related topics – e.g. Quebec Separatism
- Use the tabs across the top of the screen to see results from these sources
Also try Canadian Reference Centre
See all Information Databases.
What are Information Databases?
Recommended Websites
"Speaking Out: Quebec's Debate over Language Laws" from CBC
First Nations
Searching for Encyclopedias or Reference Books?
Canadian Encyclopedia type "First Nations"
Searching for Books?
Books about First Nation History
Books about First Nation Spirituality, Folklore, Myths and Legends
Searching for Audiovisual material?
Videos about First Nations history
Searching for Magazine, Journal and Newspaper Articles?
Using Information Databases, you will find articles published in magazines, newspapers and academic journals that you can’t find using the Internet. All our databases are listed on our website but we recommend you try the ones below first.
*If you are using a computer that isn’t in the library, you’ll be asked to type in your library card number.
See all Information Databases.
What are Information Databases?
Recommended Websites
First Nations - Wikipedia
The online encyclopedia's entry for Native people in Canada. Includes a list of First Nations communities and a list of Canadian place names of Native origin. Links to the Report on the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. See also Wikipedia's entry for Indigenous Peoples.
First Peoples of Canada
This virtual exhibition looks at some facets of the history of Canada's Aboriginal peoples, underlining their fight for cultural survival and indicating the wealth of their modern-day contributions. It is based largely on information and artifacts presented in the First Peoples Hall of the Canadian Museum of Civilization
Native Women's Association of Canada
This Association is considered to be the national voice representing aboriginal women in Canada.
Native Drums
A website that is dedicated the culture and music of Native Canadians.
Land Claims
Canada in the Making
Provides a history of Canada’s First Nations with a timeline of treaties.
Indian Claims Commission
The commission is an independent and impartial group that looks at land claims. There are useful links to other government departments and First Nation Organizations.
National Aboriginal Document Database
The information found on this site can be used for research projects such as documenting land claims, or for studying independent Statutes and Acts, Treaties and Court Decisions.
Great Depression
Searching for Encyclopedias or Reference Books?
The Canadian Encyclopedia: The Great Depression 
Searching for Books?
Books about the Great Depression in Canada
Searching for Audiovisual material?
CBC Clip: On to Ottawa, June 1935
CBC Clip: Devastating Dry Spells: Drought on the Prairies, 1936
DVDs about the Great Depression
Searching for Magazine, Journal and Newspaper Articles?
Using Information Databases, you will find articles published in magazines, newspapers and academic journals that you can’t find using the Internet. All our databases are listed on our website but we recommend you try the ones below first.
*If you are using a computer that isn’t in the library, you’ll be asked to type in your library card number.
- Click on Topics tab and type in “Great Depression Canada” as keywords.
- Click on view documents under the following topics, “Great Depression” AND “Canadian History” or “Canada (location) AND “Great Depression”.
Immigration
Searching for Encyclopedias or Reference Books?
Canadian Encyclopedia Online: You will find articles by searching on your 
topic. Sample searches are“Immigration”, “Immigration Policy”, or “War Brides” . To find the history of a specific group of peoples in Canada, type in the name of that group (ex. “Albanians” or type in “Ethnic Groups” to see a complete list of all the articles related to people of different ethnic backgrounds in Canada.
Encyclopedia of Canada’s Peoples
An online encyclopedia maintained by a group of universities and libararies in Canada with detailed information about every ethnic group in Canada, including arrival and settlement.
Historical Statistics of Canada, 1965 edition
Historical Statistics of Canada, 1983 edition
Searching for Books?
For books about specific ethnic groups, try a Keyword search with the words “Portuguese and Canada” or “Poles and Canada”, etc.
Books and videos about the history of immigration to Canada
Books and videos about immigrant experiences: in history and modern times
Books about Barnardo children
Books about War Brides
Other titles
Pier 21: an illustrated history of Canada’s gateway
Grosse Ile: gateway to Canada, 1832 - 1937
Searching for Audiovisual material?
CBC News in Review, May 2008
A Scattering of Seeds: the creation of Canada a 13 vol. DVD series covering the following groups: Russians, Irish, Chinese, Mennonites, Blacks, Acadians, Italians, Japanese, Germans, East Indians, Ukrainians, French, Scottish
Walk a mile: the immigrant experience in Canada a 4 vol. DVD series
Nobody’s child: Canada’s home children
Strong hearts, steady hands: the Portuguese destiny in Canada
Searching for historical statistics and maps?
Statistics Canada is the government departments that collects, analyzes and creates reports based on statistics gathered from the census, surveys and other methods. Find information at the following,
Statistics Canada: Ethnic Diversity and Immigration
Longitudinal survey of immigrants to Canada: a portrait of early settlement experiences 2005
Searching for Magazine, Journal and Newspaper Articles?
Using Information Databases, you will find articles published in magazines, newspapers and academic journals that you can’t find using the Internet. All our databases are listed on our website but we recommend you try the ones below first.
*If you are using a computer that isn’t in the library, you’ll be asked to type in your library card number.
Canadian Business and Current Affairs (CBCA)
- Select the advanced tab
- Type in Canada, Immigration, History in each of the search boxes and select "subject" from each drop down beside each search box you have entered these into.
- Click on "Search".
Recommended Websites
A Hundred Years of Immigration to Canada: a Chronology Focusing on Refugees and Discrimination
This website by the Canadian Council for Refugees consists of : Part 1 (1900-1949) and Part 2 (1950-1999) .
Canada’s Immigration Museum
As well as being a museum site, there is also a brief history of Pier 21 as an important landing place for ships coming to Canada.
Japanese Canadian Internment
Searching for Encyclopedias or Reference Books?
The Canadian Encyclopedia: Japanese Canadians
The Canadian Encyclopedia: Prejudice and Discrimination
The Canadian Encyclopedia: Internment
Searching for Books?
Books about the evacuation and relocation of Japanese Canadians
Books with the personal stories and memoirs of Japanese Canadians who were relocated
Books about the history of civil rights in Canada for Japanese Canadians
Searching for Audiovisual material?
Movies about the evacuation and relocation of Japanese Canadians
CBC-TV News in Review: September 2003 - The Asahi Baseball Team remembered
Searching for Magazine, Newspaper and Journal Articles?
Using Information Databases, you will find articles published in magazines, newspapers and academic journals that you can’t find using the Internet. All our databases are listed on our website but we recommend you try the ones below first.
*If you are using a computer that isn’t in the library, you’ll be asked to type in your library card number.
- Click on advanced search.
- Type in JAPANESE -- Canada -- Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945 and choose SU subject terms in the select a field box.
- Click on search.
- Click on Advanced to do an advanced search.
- Try these search phrases "Japanese Canadians" AND "World War II" or "Japanese Canadians" AND "Reparations"
- Limit to “full-text documents only” .
- On the results screen use the tabs labeled scholarly journals, magazines, newspapers to see results from those sources.
See all Information Databases.
What are Information Databases
Recommended Websites
Japanese Canadian Timeline
A detailed timeline of events that includes the specific laws and orders that the Canadian government used to support the Japanese Canadian internment and resettlement during WWII.
Multicultural Canada: an encyclopedia of Canada’s peoples
Select "Japanese"to find information on the background and context for the Japanese internment policy of World War II.
National Association of Japanese Canadians: Japanese Canadians Then and Now
National Film Board: Enemy Alien
Enemy Alien is one of several documentaries the NFB has made about the internment.
The Politics of Racism
The history of the internment of Japanese Canadians.
Relocation to Redress: The internment of the Japanese Canadians (CBC archives)
This website has video footage and photographs, information and interviews as well as related websites for more information.
Winnipeg General Strike
Searching for Encyclopedias or Reference Books?
The Canadian Encyclopedia: Winnipeg General Strike
The Canadian Encyclopedia: Working-Class history
The Canadian Encyclopedia: Strikes and Lockouts
The Canadian Encyclopedia: Women’s Labour Leagues
Searching for Audiovisual material?
CBC Digital Archives “Remembering the Winnipeg General Strike”
Searching for Magazine, Journal and Newspaper Articles?
Using Information Databases, you will find articles published in magazines, newspapers and academic journals that you can’t find using the Internet. All our databases are listed on our website but we recommend you try the ones below first.
*If you are using a computer that isn’t in the library, you’ll be asked to type in your library card number.
- Click on Basic Search
- Enter search phrase “Winnipeg General Strike” and “Labor Unions and Canadian History”
- Limit to “full-text documents only”
See all Information Databases.
What are Information Databases?
Recommended Websites
Women's Movement
Searching for Encyclopedias or Reference Books?
The Canadian Encyclopedia: Women's Movement
What is the Women's Movement? How does it relate to women's role in history in Canada? Read this entry from The Canadian Encyclopedia to find out more!
The Canadian Encyclopedia: The Famous Five
Searching for Books? 
Books on Famous Canadian Feminists
Books on Women's Movement & Women's Rights
Includes books on Persons Case, The Famous Five, Right to Vote.
Books on Women's Suffrage in Canada
Other titles
Herizons
Since 1979, this magazine has been publishing articles about the women's movement and the ongoing quest for equal rights in Canada.
Searching for Audiovisual material?
CBC Radio Archive: Women as Persons
Listen to Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King and Nellie McClung from a CBC Radio broadcast in 1938 celebrating the "Persons Case" -- when women earned the right to be equal, to be known as "persons.
Searching for Magazine, Journal and Newspaper Articles?
Using Information Databases, you will find articles published in magazines, newspapers and academic journals that you can’t find using the Internet. All our databases are listed on our website but we recommend you try the ones below first.
*If you are using a computer that isn’t in the library, you’ll be asked to type in your library card number.
- Use the Advanced Search button
- Type "Women's Rights Movement" and "History" and choose "Subject" from the drop down menu
- Type "Canada" and choose "Location" from the drop down menu.
- Limit to full-text
- Use Advanced Search
- Type "women's rights" in the first line, and "history" in the second line, and choose "Subject Terms" for both lines from the Select a Field menu.
- Type "Canada" and choose "Geographic Term" from the Select a Field menu.
- In the right hand sidebar "Limit Your Results", check "Full-text"
See all Information Databases.
What are Information Databases?
Recommended Websites
Celebrating Women's Achievements: Library and Archives Canada
From women activists to women in government, sports and art, this website provides biographies and historical context on women's role in Canadian life.
The Famous Five: University of Alberta Libraries
This interactive website provides a history and context for the women's suffrage movement led by five women from Alberta, now known as the Famous Five.
Decades
Websites
Decades - Wikipedia
An excellent source of information. Index to information by Decades from 1690 BC to 2050! Click on the Decade and history will be revealed!
Fashion-Era
Fashion-era contains 595 content rich, illustrated pages of Fashion History, Costume History, Clothing, Fashions and Social History.
Info Please - Year by Year, 1900-2012
Lists world events year by year or by decade; also timelines for world history, music, fashion.
World History
Recommended Websites (general)
BBC History pages
Extensive list of historical persons; BBC site concentrating on Ancient History, British history (Tudors, Victorians ..., WWI, WWII and recent history (Sept.11, Iraq)
Best of History Web Sites
Portal for students, educators, and enthusiasts covering Prehistory onwards. Websites are rated; includes teaching ideas.
HistoryWorld
Contains over 400 articles and thousands of historical events. Also provides a link to the OCEAN searchable index of websites with historical content.
World War I
Looking for Books?
Books and videos about Aerial Operations
Books and videos about the Battle of Vimy Ridge
Books and videos about Canadian soldiers
Books and videos about battles and campaigns
Books and videos about the Western Front only
Books and videos about the Middle East Front only
Books and videos about Gallipoli
Songs and music of the first World War
Recommended Websites
First World War.com
The purpose of the First World War.com website is to provide an overview of the First World War. Battles, maps, timeline, photos, posters, memoirs and diaries and an encyclopedia
Trenches on the Web
An Internet history of World War 1; Scroll down the homepage to the Reference Library which is where you will find the site map. Lots of great history here and a good collection of photographs.
World War 1 (Wikipedia)
Online encyclopedia's entry for World War 1. Causes, battles, war crimes, images, movies and literature, good bibliography.
World War 1 Document Archive
This archive of primary documents from World War I has been assembled by volunteers of the World War I Military History List (WWI-L)[an international membership of historians, scholars and students]. The archive is international in focus and intends to present in one location primary documents concerning the Great War.
Canada and the First World War
Veterans Affairs History web site detailing Canada's involvement in WWI. Includes interviews with veterans, excerpts from diaries and letters and a biography of John McCrae.
Canadian Air Aces and Heroes
Pilots from World War 1, World War 2 and Korea
Canadian Letters and Images
The Canadian Letters and Images Project is an online archive of the Canadian war experience, from any war, as told through the letters and images of Canadians themselves. It began in August 2000, located in the Department of History at Malaspina University College. In November 2003 the Project was very pleased to bring in as partners the History Department at The University of Western Ontario. Select "Collections" to find WWI letters and pictures.
In My Community
Royal Canadian Regiment Museum
The homesite of the museum of Canada's oldest regular infantry regiment, located in London, Ontario.
World War II
Looking for Books?
Books about World War II (general)
Books about aircraft of the war
Books about World War II atrocities
Books about campaigns and battles
Books about Canadians and the air force
Books about Canada's role in the war
Books about Germany's airforce battles
Books about politics and government in Germany from 1933-1945
Books about social conditions in Germany in the first half of the 20th century
Online guides are also available specifically for,
The library has hundreds of books about World War Two. If you can't find what you're looking for, ask us for help.
Looking for Websites?
Democracy at War: Canadian Newspapers and the Second World War
An online searchable collection of over 144,000 newspaper articles relating to all aspects of the Second World War. This site has also created fifty-five short historical articles about key topics
Encyclopedia of the Second World War
A Spartacus Educational website and enables one to research individual people and events of the war in detail. The sources are "hypertexted" so that the visitor can research the newspaper, organization, etc., that produced the source. There are several subsections including those on: Background to the War; Nazi Germany, Chronology of the War, Political Leaders, European Diplomacy, Major Offensives, British Military Leaders, USA Military Leaders, German Military Leaders, Japanese Military Leaders, The Armed Forces, The Air War, The Resistance, Scientists & Inventors, War at Sea, Resistance in Nazi Germany, The Holocaust, War Artists, Weapons and New Technology.
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is the USA's only congressionally chartered museum in its field and a Smithsonian affiliate. Originally known as the National Atomic Museum, it was established in 1969 as an intriguing place to learn the story of the Atomic Age, from early research of nuclear development through today’s peaceful uses of nuclear technology.
World War II, 1939-1945 - Wikipedia
A complete summary of World War 2 by the online encyclopedia. Causes, chronology, resistance, the home front, casualties, the United Nations, the Marshall Plan ... maps, photos.
Canadian Air Aces and Heroes
Pilots from WWI, WWII and Korea
Canadian Letters and Images
The Project The Canadian Letters and Images Project is an online archive of the Canadian war experience, from any war, as told through the letters and images of Canadians themselves. In November 2003 the Project was very pleased to bring in as partners the History Department at The University of Western Ontario. Click on "Collections" to locate material on WWII
Canadian War Brides
Melynda Jarratt's website detailing resources about Canadian war brides of WWII. Stories, Passenger lists, Statistics, Books, Movies etc.
The Second World War
Veterans Affairs website detailing Canada's participation in WWII; special sections on Dieppe, Belgium, Battle of the Atlantic, Netherlands, Normandy, Italy ... excerpts from diaries and letters.
In my Community
Royal Canadian Regiment Museum
The homesite of the museum of Canada's oldest regular infantry regiment, located in London, Ontario.