The Bizarre History of "O Canada"

In our first episode, we dive into the strange and unexpected history behind Canada's national anthem. "O Canada" was written by a veteran of the American Civil War to celebrate Quebec's national holiday; its story touches on everything from Pierre Trudeau to bloody riots to the very earliest French settlers.

A story about a song at the crossroads of 360 years of Quebecois history and a wave of 20th Century multiculturalism, and what happens when they collide under a hail of rocks and bottles.

The beautiful studio recording of 'Gens du pays' by Gilles Vigneault and Gaston Rochon (Quebec's unofficial NATIONAL anthem)

Sir Adolphe Basile Routhier was knighted twice! By the Pope and the King of England.

French subtitles by Marika Lapointe