TODAY IN HISTORY: Death of Gord Downie

In 1760, the British began destroying fortifications at Louisbourg, N.S. The British used powerful explosives on the French fortress they had captured in 1758. Their aim was to render the site useless as a military base in the event of reoccupation by the French.

In 1878, John A. Macdonald was sworn in as prime minister of Canada for the second time. He held the post until his death in 1891.

In 1954, Col. Juan Peron staged a coup in Buenos Aires and became the absolute ruler of Argentina.

In 1963, Canada's old age pensions were increased to $75 a month.

In 1983, Cyndi Lauper’s debut album, “She’s So Unusual” was released. It spawned four Top 5 singles, “GIrls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “Time After Time,” “All Through the Night,” and “She-Bop.”

In 1988, thousands of mentally handicapped Canadians won the right to vote in federal elections.

In 2009, Danielle Smith, a former journalist and TV host, was picked as the new leader of Alberta's Wildrose Alliance Party.

In 2017, Gord Downie, the poetic lead singer of The Tragically Hip whose determined fight with brain cancer inspired a nation, died at age 53. One of Canada’s most revered singer-songwriters, Downie penned a steady stream of 1990s rock radio staples including “New Orleans is Sinking,” and “Bobcaygeon.”