It was on this day in 1896 that the Laurier Era truly began. Canada’s greatest ever political orator, Wilfrid Laurier, defeated Father of Confederation Sir Charles Tupper after a hard-fought campaign. My Conservative friends, however, should not mourn as they should remember that Doctor Tupper won the popular vote so a good anniversary for the historically-minded faithful of both parties. I've posted it before but today's anniversary allows me again to quote the words of Laurier: "Canada first, Canada last. Canada always." It was also during this week a year later that Laurier took Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations by storm, in many ways placing a young nation politically on the international map. And, Wilfrid became Sir Wilfrid, being Knighted by a grateful Monarch. Jean Chrétien elected Liberal leader And, on this date in 1990 Jean Chrétien was elected Liberal leader at the party’s convention in Calgary. So, congratulations to Mr. Chrétien on this special anniversary day. He too is a fan of Laurier’s and I’m proud to post a picture of he and I together in 2016 when I presented him with my book on Sir Wilfrid. Birthday alerts! Today is also a very special day as Laureen Harper celebrates her birthday. She (and the entire Harper family) have been in my corner for many years and, in particularly, gave me support they did not have to during some health issues I faced. I owe her a great deal. She was Stephen Harper’s “secret” campaign weapon and represented our nation abroad with grace and class. A remarkable lady I feel privileged to know. And, it is also the birthday of another old and dear friend, MP Kelly McCauley. Happy birthday from Kingston Mrs. Harper and Kelly! Arthur Milnes is an accomplished public historian and award-winning journalist.  He was research assistant on The Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney’s best-selling Memoirs and also served as a speechwriter to then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper and as a Fellow of the Queen’s Centre for the Study of Democracy under the leadership of Tom Axworthy.  A resident of Kingston, Ontario, Milnes serves as the in-house historian at the 175 year-old Frontenac Club Hotel.