This Day in History April 28, 1985

To my fellow Canadians, this is a date that is special to your country.  Why?  On this date in 1985, the very first National Day of Mourning was first observed.  This is a day in which those who have been killed or injured on the job are remembered.  Since it started in Canada, this is now a day that is observed by over 80 countries.  According to statistics, four workers in Canada die every day.  Over the past 15 years, workplace fatalities in Canada are on the rise.   I honestly had no idea this was happening.  I never thought about it, but this sounds very high.  One can only hope that this statistic will go down as labor laws are enforced.  I am rather surprised by all of this, but I guess it is something that is not really talked about.  Then again, I don't live in Canada.  I wonder how many die in the U.S. each year from on-the-job accidents or occupational diseases.  If the statistics are accurate, in 2010, an average of 13 workers died every year on the job.  Wow!  I had no idea!  Interesting how this never gets press coverage, eh?

For more information:
http://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Job-Safety/Death-on-the-Job-Report
http://www.canadianlabour.ca/issues/day-mourning
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1152181/government-of-canada-remembers-on-national-day-of-mourning
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Day_of_Mourning_(Canadian_observance)
http://www.famousdaily.com/april28.html

Direct Mail Services for Canada Post

If you are a business--or work for one--you are probably familiar with mailing out flyers and the like on a regular basis.  If you live in Canada, I know about a company that would love to handle all your direct mail services.  They have a direct marketing team that will ensure that your next mailing (and all future ones) will go smoothly.  They will weed through all the various regulations and specifications, and they will be certain to deliver the results that you would expect.  Small or large volume does not matter nor does the type of mailing you are doing.  Let IDRS help  your mailing campaign deliver for you.

Perhaps you need to send out parcels.  IDRS is able to do that as well, and they will take care of the entire process including boxing, weighing, and parcel preparation.  With the cost of postage going up quite regularly, they will also work to minimize your mailing costs.

If you have read this far and do not understand what direct mail services is about, let me briefly explain it.  It is an advertising method used by companies to communicate to their customers--past, present, and future--and their purpose is to improve their revenue while retaining and acquiring customers.

What are some of the direct mail services IDRS provides?  Campaign planning, processing/handling of physical mail before passing on to the household or business, and fulfillment of campaign requests.  No matter where you are sending your mailings--domestic and/or international--you can trust your mailing needs to IDRS.  They are an innovative yet cost-effective option that will ensure your business the most exposure  possible.

This Day in History October 12, 1962

By Thegreatdr at en.wikipedia Later version(s) were uploaded by Peteforsyth at en.wikipedia. [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

I don't remember this weather event, but my mom does.  She does not remember how it affected Canada.  But it was this date in 1962 when Typhoon Frieda struck Vancouver, Canada during the Columbus Day storms that hammered the Pacific Northwest.  It plummeted the city with wind speeds of up to 78 miles per hour.  This resulted in the death of five people and $10 million in damages.  It was the most destructive storm in Vancouver history.  Its damage extended beyond Vancouver as it cancelled the sixth game of the World Series and hit Portland, Oregon with 100 MPH wind gusts.

For more information, please check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Day_Storm_of_1962
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962_Pacific_typhoon_season#Typhoon_Freda
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=50f39b7e-1982-4be4-9301-70d1023d4539

This Day in History June 2, 1615

For my Canadian friends, today's feature concerns Quebec.  It was on this date in 1615 that the first Recollet missionaries arrived in Quebec City from Rouen, France.  It is said that it was the Recollets who brewed the first beer in Quebec in 1620.  They were later succeeded by the Jesuits.  It seems as though they are a breed that eventually died out.

While this may not be an earth-shattering history fact, I have to say that I was pleased to find something a little different.  Quebec is one of those places that has fascinated me since I took three years of French in high school.  Maybe I will go one day.

For more information:
http://www.civilization.ca/virtual-museum-of-new-france/population/religious-congregations/
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/recollets
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A9collets

Healthy Living is Within Your Power--Canada Drug Pharmacy

I am so glad that pharmacies are so accessible in this day and age.  Even when I was growing up, it seems like I always had to go to the doctor for just about everything.  While there were some over-the-counter medicines, there were not that many.  And when we had to use a prescription, we often had to get an expensive name brand medication--thank goodness for generic prescription drugs!

It seems that everywhere you turn, there are accessible pharmacies out there.  I am so glad that allergy medicine is now available over the counter.  In fact, pharmacies stock so many items for healthy living now, including medicines, vitamins, healthy snacks, and much more.  And their prices are pretty hard to beat.  Many have discount programs and other incentives to encourage you to purchase the items at their store.

Online pharmacies are definitely the wave of the future.  Okay, I will admit I sometimes still go to a physical pharmacy if I am in such desperate need of something that cannot wait.  But I know that online pharmacies are my preference.  I like the fact that I can search through the database for anything, and generally it is in stock and at the best price.  And it is so easy.  You can shop in your pajamas without leaving the comfort of your home!

So the next time you run out of your ibuprofen or your eye drop container is running low, I invite you to check out this Canada drug pharmacy.  It will be your one-stop store for all  of your pharmaceutical and health-related needs.  And with summer allergies on the way, you want to be prepared with all of those allergy products.  And don't forget about those products to keep your digestive system on track for all those upcoming summer barbecues.  Stock up on your vitamins, and get your prescriptions so that you can be ready for your upcoming summer trips!

Brought to you by Canada Drug Pharmacy.  I was financially compensated for my post, but all opinions and statements are 100 percent my own opinion.

This Day in History February 6, 1948

This is especially for my Canadian followers (but I find it very interesting as well!).  It was on this date in 1948 that Barbara Ann Scott, a Canadian, won the gold medal in the winter Olympics for figure skating.  She was the first Canadian in history to win gold in this sport.

She was born in Ottowa May 9, 1928, and at the age of 9, she began a grueling 7-hour per day practice regimen.  She went on to win several titles, including the youngest Canadian ever to win gold for figures (all before the Olympics).  She skated that day very carefully due to minor dents and cracks from the previous night's men's ice hockey championships.

Upon winning, she was hailed as a celebrity.  In addition to receiving a car, she also was named Canada's athlete of the year in 1945, 1947, and 1948.  She went on to be a professional ice skater in the Hollywood Ice Revues from 1949-1954.  Upon retirement, she became and equestrian, and in her mid-40's, she became one of the tops in the U.S.  In 1995, she was inducted into the Canada Sports Hall of Fame, and in 1991, she was made an officer in the Order of Canada.

For more information, please check out:
http://www.heroines.ca/history/scott.html
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/barbara-ann-scott
http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/298314
http://canadachannel.ca/HCO/index.php/Barbara_Anne_Scott_Wins_Olympic_Gold_Medal_at_St._Moritz

This Day in History December 6, 1917

It seems that we are on a roll--more "jolly" news.  But I thought this one might be of interest to those of you in Canada--I know I have several of you who follow me.  And I am sure there are WWI buffs out there, too.  So read on!

On this date in 1917, the largest, accidental man-made explosion occurred in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. This was at the height of WWI, and completely happened as a result of human error.  Involved in the explosion were a Belgian relief vessel called the Imo and the French munitions ship (that was fully loaded) Mont Blanc.  

At about 8:45 A.M. that morning, the collision occurred, and within ten minutes, the French ship caught fire.  It exploded about 25 minutes later, and unfortunately because the collision occurred in the narrowest part of Halifax Harbor, you can imagine the devastation that occurred.  Or maybe you cannot.  Read on.

Almost immediately, 1900 people were killed.  The buildings were engulfed in fire, and even a tidal wave was created.  Around 325 acres of Halifax were destroyed, and around 9000 people were injured--many permanently.  Around 200 were blinding by flying glass.  And eventually the death toll reached around 2000. The population was only about 50,000 to begin with.  Talk about a tragedy!

I could go on and on about the aftermath of the explosion, but I would rather send you to these informative links:

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0003536SUBReadings

http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Halifax_Explosion

http://www.halifax.ca/halifaxexplosion/index.html

You know, I really need to find some inspiring stuff for tomorrow.  I am really tired of reporting disasters!  I cannot imagine the horror that must have overtaken this area.  Perhaps for those who died instantly, I can only hope that death truly was instantaneous.  If I have to die a violent death, I hope it is quick!  I feel for those who were permanently injured only because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.