THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS HISTORY

July 30, 1962

Prime Minister John Diefenbaker officially opened the Trans-Canada Highway to traffic at ceremonies at Rogers Pass, B.C. The opening of the 7,821-kilometre road, the longest national highway in the world, meant Canadians could drive from St. John's, N.L., to Victoria, B.C. (with the services of ferries at either end).

July 31, 1995

Casino Rama, Canada's largest aboriginal-run casino, opened in Orillia, Ont.

Aug. 1, 2012

New federal legislation kicked in to end the Canadian Wheat Board's decades-long monopoly on western wheat and barley sales.

Aug. 4, 1952

In 1952, a uranium rush began in Saskatchewan when Uranium City was opened to prospectors.

Aug. 5, 2011

In 2011, credit rating agency Standard & Poor's downgraded the U.S. one notch for the first time since it was granted a AAA rating in 1917. The news sent global stock markets tumbling when they re-opened after a weekend break.