Heritage Minutes
Overview
Heritage Minutes—officially billed as Historica Minutes: History by the Minute—are sixty-second short films spotlighting pivotal moments in Canada’s past. These bite-sized vignettes have become a staple on Canadian TV, in movie theaters, and on DVD. The concept debuted on March 31, 1991, through a flashy, one-off history quiz hosted by Rex Murphy. Thirteen original segments aired between programs on CBC and CTV, championed by the CRB Foundation, Canada Post, Power Broadcasting, and the NFB. Visionary Patrick Watson shaped and narrated the series, with Robert Guy Scully producing. By 2009, Historica had merged with The Dominion Institute. Since the CRTC deems them an ongoing dramatic series, each minute counts toward stations’ Canadian-content quotas.
Episodes
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1
Underground Railroad
A Black man flees the brutal reality of slavery in the American South, risking everything for a perilous journey north. He follows the clandestine net...
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2
Valour Road
Three men from Pine Street in Winnipeg were each awarded the Victoria Cross for their bravery during World War I. In recognition of their extraordinar...
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3
Jacques Plante
On a night that would change hockey forever, Jacques Plante steps onto the ice wearing a protective mask, a first in regular NHL play. After taking a ...
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4
Jennie Trout
Jennie Trout becomes Canada's first woman doctor.
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5
Superman
On his way to see his cousin Frank, comic artist Joe Shuster unexpectedly brings his iconic hero to life — sketching the very first pages of Superma...
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6
Peacekeepers
Amid rising tensions in Cyprus, a Canadian peacekeeping unit arrives to bridge the divide between Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. Their mission...
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7
Responsible Government
After the failed Rebellions of 1837 are suppressed, Queen Victoria resolves to extend responsible government to Canada. Recognizing that colonial unre...
