3dhistory1918, Edmonton, AB (2026)

05/19/2026

May 19 marks a foundational milestone in Canadian military history: the creation of the permanent active militia in 1855 through the Militia Act - an early framework that helped shape what we now recognize as Canada’s modern Army.

It’s easy to think of armies as something that “appears” in wartime. In reality, effective land forces are built over decades—through legislation, training standards, local units, and a national commitment to readiness. The Militia Act was an early step in that long evolution from scattered colonial defence to a professional, deployable land force that would eventually serve from the North-West Rebellion to the world wars, Korea, Afghanistan, and today’s operations at home and abroad.

For me, anniversaries like this are a reminder that history isn’t only about battles - it’s also about the decisions and institutions that made those battles survivable, and service possible.

I am proud to be the Chief Historian at 3D History – Bringing History to Life

05/14/2026

Colonel James Walker: The Man Who Helped Build Calgary

Born: May 14, 1846 Role: NWMP officer, Calgary pioneer, militia organizer

Colonel James Walker is a name that deserves more attention in the story of Calgary's early development.

He is often remembered as a civic-minded figure who contributed to shaping the foundations of community life, governance, and infrastructure in the region.

Stories of early leaders like Walker remind us that city-building is not only about structures, but also about vision, collaboration, and long-term commitment.

In a rapidly evolving urban world, reflecting on such contributions helps us appreciate the layered history behind modern cities and the people who quietly shaped them.

Whether through military service, civic engagement, or community leadership, figures like Walker highlight the importance of building institutions that endure beyond a single generation.

Today, as we think about the future of cities like Calgary, there is value in revisiting the individuals whose efforts laid early groundwork.

Recognizing this history is not about nostalgia, but about understanding the roots of present-day opportunity.

Local histories often reveal how individual leadership intersects with broader patterns of settlement, economy, and cultural growth, offering lessons that remain relevant for planners, historians, and citizens alike in contemporary urban discussions.

Engaging with figures like Colonel James Walker encourages a more nuanced appreciation of how leadership, resilience, and civic responsibility combine to shape the identity of a place, and invites professionals today to consider how their own contributions may influence the cities of tomorrow over time through sustained collective effort and shared vision across communities.

I am proud to be the Chief Historian at 3D History – Bringing History to Life

05/09/2026

May 9 - the National Day of Honour - is a solemn occasion to recognize the service, sacrifice, and legacy of Canadian Armed Forces personnel who served in the Afghanistan mission.

Canadian mission in Afghanistan represents one of the most significant military commitments in Canada’s recent history. From 2001 to 2014, thousands of Canadians deployed in a complex and evolving conflict, serving in combat, training, reconstruction, and humanitarian roles.

The National Day of Honour was first observed in 2014, following the end of Canada’s combat mission, to ensure that the service and sacrifice of those involved would be formally recognized by the nation they served.

This day is not only about remembrance—it is about acknowledgment. It recognizes those who did not return home, those who carry physical and psychological wounds, and the families who supported them through years of uncertainty and absence.

It also reflects the professionalism and adaptability of Canada’s military, which operated in a challenging environment alongside international allies while contributing to security, governance, and development efforts.

For Canadians, May 9 is a reminder that service comes in many forms, and that the cost of peace is often carried quietly by individuals and communities long after missions end.

As we observe the National Day of Honour, we are called to reflect on responsibility—both in how we remember and how we support veterans today.

Honouring this legacy means more than ceremony; it means ensuring that those who served are recognized, supported, and never forgotten in the years ahead as a nation committed to them always.

I am proud to be the Chief Historian at 3D History – Bringing History to Life

05/09/2026

Batoche: A Turning Point in Canadian History (May 9–12, 1885)

Batoche stands as one of the most pivotal turning points in Canadian history, marking the climax of the North-West Resistance of 1885 and reshaping the relationship between Indigenous peoples, the Métis Nation, and the Canadian state.

The events at Batoche were not isolated; they reflected deeper tensions over land rights, cultural recognition, and political representation in a rapidly expanding nation.

For the Métis, Batoche symbolized both resistance and resilience under the leadership of Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont. For Canada, it represented the assertion of federal authority in the West, but also exposed the costs of nation-building without inclusive dialogue.

Today, Batoche invites reflection on reconciliation, historical interpretation, and the importance of understanding multiple perspectives in shaping national identity. It is a reminder that history is not static - it informs present-day conversations about equity, governance, and cultural respect.

For professionals, educators, and leaders, Batoche offers a powerful case study in how unresolved tensions can define a nation’s trajectory for generations.

As we continue to reflect on Canada’s evolving identity, acknowledging moments like Batoche is essential to building a more informed and inclusive future.

Understanding history in its full complexity allows us to move beyond simplified narratives and toward meaningful engagement with truth and reconciliation.

Engaging with Batoche today also challenges Canadians to consider how historical memory is preserved, taught, and discussed in public spaces. It encourages ongoing dialogue between communities, historians, and policymakers to ensure that the lessons of the past remain active in shaping future decisions across the country.

I am proud to be the Chief Historian at 3D History – Bringing History to Life

05/08/2026

May 8 - VE Day - marks one of the most significant turning points of the 20th century: the end of the Second World War in Europe and the beginning of a long, difficult journey toward rebuilding a fractured world.

Victory in Europe Day represents both triumph and transition. It was a day of celebration across Allied nations, but also a moment of reflection on the immense human cost of global conflict.

For Canada, VE Day was especially meaningful. After years of intense involvement in the European theatre - from the Atlantic convoys to the liberation of occupied countries - Canadian service members had helped secure victory through extraordinary courage and sacrifice. Their contribution cemented Canada’s emerging role as a respected middle power on the world stage.

Yet the end of war did not mean an end to responsibility. Soldiers returned home to rebuild lives, communities adapted to peacetime economies, and governments faced the challenge of shaping a more stable and just post-war order.

VE Day reminds us that peace is not simply the absence of conflict - it is the result of collective effort, international cooperation, and sustained commitment to shared values.

As we reflect on this day, we honour those who served and those who did not return, while also recognizing the importance of safeguarding the peace they fought to achieve.

In a world that continues to face division and uncertainty, VE Day offers a timeless lesson: unity and resolve can overcome even the greatest challenges, but they must be actively preserved by each generation that follows.

05/08/2026

From Mounted Rifles to Dragoons: The Interwar Reorganizations

As the Regimental Historian of the South Alberta Light Horse, I sometimes say that tracing the regiment's lineage through the interwar years requires a detective's patience and a genealogist's eye for detail.

After the Great War, Canada's militia underwent a complex series of amalgamations and redesignations. The Alberta Mounted Rifles, the South Alberta Horse, and the 19th Alberta Dragoons were reorganized multiple times through the 1920s and 1930s. Units merged, split, changed names, and merged again - each change reflecting the evolving defence priorities of a nation struggling through economic hardship and political uncertainty.

On February 16, 1936, the final key amalgamation created the foundation for the regiment that would fight in the Second World War. This was more than an administrative exercise. It brought together the lineages, traditions, and battle honours of every past cavalry regiment in Alberta.

The SALH represents all of them. When they parade today, they carry the collected history of Alberta's mounted warriors - from the Rocky Mountain Rangers of 1885 through every iteration and reorganization that followed.

The interwar years may lack the drama of combat, but they are essential to understanding who we are. Every amalgamation was a choice to preserve tradition, to honour the past, and to build something that would endure.

That spirit of continuity through change is at the heart of the South Alberta Light Horse.

05/06/2026

Legacy: What Will You Be Remembered For?

Every May, the Netherlands remembers. Eighty-one years after liberation, Dutch families still place flowers on Canadian graves. Dutch children still learn the names of Canadian soldiers who freed their grandparents. An entire nation remembers.

That is legacy.

As a military historian, I think about legacy constantly. Not the manufactured kind - the polished obituary or the corporate retirement party. I think about the kind of legacy that endures because it was earned through action, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to something larger than oneself.

The Canadians who liberated the Netherlands, particularly the South Alberta Light Horse Regiment, didn't do it for recognition. They did it because it needed to be done. And eighty-one years later, their legacy is not a line on a resume - it is a bond between two nations that grows stronger with each passing year.

💡 The leadership lesson: Legacy is not built by what you claim. It is built by what you do when no one is watching, by the standards you set when it would be easier to cut corners, and by the people you lift up along the way.

As VE Day and the liberation anniversaries approach this month, ask yourself: if the people I lead today were to remember me eighty years from now, what would they say?

The answer to that question is your real legacy.

05/05/2026

May 5 - Liberation Day in the Netherlands - stands as a powerful reminder of the moment in 1945 when occupation ended and freedom was restored after years of hardship and war.

Liberation Day (Netherlands) is more than a historical milestone; it is a living memory shared between nations, especially Canada and the Netherlands, bound together through sacrifice and liberation.

Among the Canadian formations that advanced through Northwest Europe in the final stages of the Second World War, the South Alberta Light Horse played a leading and highly respected role. As an armoured reconnaissance regiment, the South Alberta Light Horse was often at the forefront of movement - scouting, probing enemy positions, and helping to clear the way for advancing Allied forces.

In the liberation of Dutch towns and villages, their work was vital. They were among the first Allied troops to enter and secure areas, bringing reassurance to civilians who had endured years under occupation. Their presence symbolized not only military progress, but the return of hope.

The legacy of the South Alberta Light Horse and its predecessors is still remembered in the Netherlands today, where gratitude for Canadian efforts remains deeply rooted in local communities.

As we reflect on Liberation Day, we honour the courage, discipline, and humanity of those who served. Their actions remind us that freedom is never guaranteed - it is earned through sacrifice and sustained through remembrance.

Today, this shared history continues to strengthen the bond between Canada and the Netherlands, and it challenges us to protect peace with the same resolve shown by those who came before us.

05/04/2026

The Royal Canadian Navy: A Century of Service

“On May 4, 1910, the Royal Canadian Navy was born - a service built on professionalism, seamanship, and a commitment to defending Canada’s coasts and global interests. From convoy duty in the Battle of the Atlantic to modern humanitarian missions, the RCN has shaped Canada’s role on the world stage.”

Royal Canadian Navy represents over a century of service, resilience, and adaptability in safeguarding Canada’s maritime interests at home and abroad.

Since its formation in 1910, the Royal Canadian Navy has evolved from a modest coastal defence force into a modern, globally engaged naval service. Through two World Wars, the Cold War, peacekeeping missions, and contemporary maritime security operations, it has consistently demonstrated professionalism and dedication.

The Navy’s history is deeply tied to Canada's identity as a maritime nation. From the Battle of the Atlantic to modern-day NATO operations, its sailors have played a vital role in defending democratic values and ensuring the safety of international waters.

Beyond military operations, the Royal Canadian Navy has also contributed to humanitarian missions, disaster relief, and search-and-rescue efforts, reinforcing its role as a force for good on the global stage.

As we reflect on over a century of service, we also look toward the future. With advancements in technology, evolving global threats, and a changing Arctic landscape, the Navy continues to adapt while honouring its legacy.

Its story is not only one of ships and missions, but of the people who serve -past and present - whose commitment has shaped its enduring legacy.

The Royal Canadian Navy remains a cornerstone of national defence and a symbol of Canada’s enduring commitment to peace, security, and international cooperation across oceans and generations still today.

Honouring its legacy inspires continued service, innovation, and commitment to safeguarding Canada’s maritime future for generations ahead across the world and beyond still.

04/28/2026

If you’re passionate about Canadian history - or simply curious about the moments that shaped our nation - I invite you to take a look at my book Great Canadian Battles. It explores the pivotal conflicts, courageous leaders, and defining decisions that helped build the Canada we know today.

From iconic victories to lesser known turning points, the book brings these stories to life in a way that’s accessible, engaging, and grounded in the real experiences of the people who lived them.

If you haven’t discovered it yet, I’d love for you to check it out - and let me know which chapter resonates most with you.

Norman Leach – Bringing History to Life

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/normanleach
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