From headlines to history

To mark CBC's 75th anniversary, experts from the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canadian War Museum, will be joined by CBC/Radio-Canada personalities to take part in the series Headlines to History.

In the coming weeks, this special public seminars will explore four defining moments in our history during these free discussions. The four-part series will focus on distinctive Canadian topics as diverse as hockey and war reporting.

"We are delighted to partner with CBC/Radio-Canada to mark this historic milestone," said Mark O'Neill, president and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, which includes both the Museum of Civilization and the War Museum.

"We have a common bond as national institutions devoted to the enhancement of Canada's cultural life and the knowledge and understanding of its citizens. This series embodies that shared commitment to public service."

To start things off with a bang this week, the first topic will be hockey on Sept. 15. Canadians love to root together and argue over our national sport, which seems to arouse our strongest passions, especially during the Stanley Cup finals. Sports columnists and commentators Richard Garneau and Mark Lee will discuss why.

The second conference will be on war reporting. Foreign correspondents Raymond St-Pierre and Nahlah Ayed will talk about their experiences in countries in conflict.

Canada called in the armed forces during the Oka Crisis of 1990, the Manitoba floods of 1997 and 2009, the ice storm of 1998 and the recent plane crash in Resolute Bay. Producer Bruno Bonamigo and journalist James Cudmore are on the front lines observing events and preparing reports for our various platforms. They will share their perspectives on how they cover these historic events.

What about Expo '67 and its impact? Seasoned news anchor Simon Durivage attended the fair, as did producer Mark Starowicz, who is known for some great documentaries, including 1 Day, produced specially for CBC/Radio-Canada's 75th anniversary. They will make us relive that time, rich in all kinds of developments.

Each public conference will begin at 7:30 p.m Short videos produced with archival footage from CBC/Radio-Canada will showcase an overview of the themes to be discussed and artifacts from the museums' collections will also be included.

"Being the sports fan that I am, I'm especially excited about the inaugural one on hockey," said Hubert T. Lacroix, president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada.

"The partnership with the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canadian War Museum on this series of conferences is a great example of how the public broadcaster has, for the past 75 years, contributed to the social, democratic and cultural life of all Canadians by giving a voice to the stories and issues that matter to them," Lacroix said.

The schedule for the four-part series is:

Hockey: The Game, The Glory
Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
Moderators: Daniel Bouchard, host of Téléjournal Ottawa-Gatineau week-end, and Adrian Harewood, host of CBC News Ottawa at 5, 5:30 & 6 and Late Night.
Museum panelist: Sheldon Posen, director of ethnology and cultural studies.

War Correspondents: News from the Front
Thursday, Sept. 29 at the Canadian War Museum.
Moderators: Michel Picard, host of Téléjournal Ottawa-Gatineau, and Lucy van Oldenbarneveld, host of CBC News Ottawa at 5, 5:30 & 6.
Museum panelist: Andrew Burtch, historian.

Canada's Military: Its role at home
Thursday, Oct. 13 at the Canadian War Museum.
Moderators: Michel Picard and Lucy Oldenbarneveld.
Museum panelist: Dean Oliver, director of research and exhibitions.

Expo 67: Cultural Legacy
Thursday, Oct. 27 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
Moderators: Daniel Bouchard and Adrian Harewood.
Museums panelist: Alan Elder, curator of Canadian crafts, decorative and design.

More event information can be found on the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canadian War Museum Facebook pages and websites.

Although these events will be held in Ottawa/Gatineau, Canadians from all over the country will be invited to share their stories, photos and videos on the museums' Facebook sites.

Free tickets available now. To reserve your ticket, call 819-776-7000 or visit the museums' box offices.

Posted on Sep 13, 2011 12:01:02 PM