Blog posts, , , , History

• April 18, 2024

  Lessons from the Great Depression

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  What the stock market crash of 1929 did was starkly reveal the weaknesses of economic systems that had evolved from the unregulated capitalism of the late 19th century.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Financial literacy, History Grade level(s): Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
• July 31, 2023

  The Scenes of Canada series $100 bill

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  Few of us ever get a chance to see a Scenes of Canada $100 bill. Which is a pity, because it is an example of great bank note design with even greater imagery by a master engraver.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History
• November 14, 2022

  The day Winnipeg was invaded

  By: David Bergeron

  
  

  

  People on the street were randomly stopped and searched, and some were even arrested and imprisoned in an internment camp. Even German marks replaced Canadian currency in circulation—in the form of If Day propaganda notes.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History Grade level(s): Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
• October 18, 2022

  Positive notes

  By: Krista Broeckx

  
  

  

  The imagery on the Bank of Canada’s 1935 note series depicts the country’s rich industrial history.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History
• June 16, 2022

  Army bills: Funding the War of 1812

  By: David Bergeron, Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  In 1812, British North America had no banks and little currency. With the prospect of war drying up supplies of coins, the government of Lower Canada decided to issue legal tender notes called “army bills” to pay for troops and supplies.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy, History
• February 3, 2022

  Queen of the bank notes

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  Few of us have ever met her, and it’s likely none of us are even remotely related to her. Yet, Canadians have carried her picture in their wallets for generations now. She’s Queen Elizabeth II and has been our monarch for over 70 years.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History
• August 19, 2021

  Fur Trade Economics

  By: David Bergeron, Graham Iddon, Krista Broeckx

  
  

  

  Over its 350-year lifespan, the Hudson’s Bay Company has had an enormous impact on Canada’s economy and how the nation was settled.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy, History, Social studies Grade level(s): Grade 05, Grade 06, Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
• June 11, 2020

  Nominating an Icon for the Next $5 Bank Note

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  Using a Bank of Canada Museum lesson plan, nearly 200 students told us who they thought should be the bank NOTE-able Canadian on our new $5 bill.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History, Social studies Grade level(s): Grade 06, Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4
• November 8, 2018

  Money of the First World War

  By: Paul S. Berry

  
  

  

  In Europe, gold and silver coins largely disappeared from circulation as they were hoarded or as governments used the metal for the war effort.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy, History, Social studies Grade level(s): Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
• May 8, 2018

  Operation Fish

  By: Robert Low

  
  

  

  Operation Fish was the largest movement of physical wealth in history.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy, History, Social studies Grade level(s): Grade 06, Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP