Cold War History

October 1962: Diefenbaker’s dilemma

October 1962: Diefenbaker’s dilemma

Storytelling and history blend together to create a unique theatrical experience: Dief the Chief: October ’62 takes you on a journey back in time to the Cuban Missile Crisis, seen through the eyes of Prime Minister Diefenbaker as he carries out his duties inside...

Actor playing Prime Minister John Diefenbaker holds a red rotary phone to his ear, while audience members look on.

Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Carp Crest

Tucked away in the village of Carp, Ontario, lies a piece of Canadian history. The Diefenbunker, formally known as the Central Emergency Government Headquarters (CEGHQ), was built in response to the rising global tensions from the Cold War. It was constructed...

Historic government office at the Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum.

From Country to Punk: How the Cold War Impacted Pop Culture

It has often been said that conflict and war produce the best art. The Cold War in particular saw a massive shift in cultural and artistic norms. Contributing factors of economic prosperity, a growing middle class, and increasing globalization meant that music was...

Headphones rest on the desk inside the Diefenbunker's CBC Radio Room.

Time is Ticking: The Tale of the Doomsday Clock

The Doomsday Clock, created by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in 1947, is a symbolic representation of how close humanity is to global catastrophe — or, midnight. The concept of Doomsday Clock was created at a time of great danger for humanity — the United...

Close-up of the Doomsday Clock symbol in the Diefenbunker's "Canada and the Cold War" exhibition.

2022 Cold War Speaker Series: The LGBT Purge

On October 6, 2022, we held the second session in our Cold War Speaker Series, where we were honoured to welcome Michelle Douglas and Christos Pantieras who presented their topic, The LGBT Purge: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow through Personal Experience and Visual...

2022 Cold War Speaker Series promotional image with Michelle Douglas and Christos Pantieras in the middle and "The LGBT Purge" text underneath.
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