iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Drop by the Dundurn Press booth if you are at TWOTS on Sunday. I’d be happy to talk about how Benjamin Franklin’s efforts to annex Canada set the stage for Donald Trump. #twots #canada #history #books #cdaus

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CIPS / CÉPI @cepi-cips.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Have you voted for the CIPS Best Blog Award 2026? 🏅 Wondering who's on the shortlist? ➡️ America’s Roots are Showing with its Threat to Greenland By @mdrohan.bsky.social Check out the full shortlist >>> www.cips-cepi.ca/2026/09/15/c...

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

To carry 50,000 people per hour in each direction, a city needs a 175m wide road for cars. Even if those cars are electric. And then there’s all the parking. OR a city can move A LOT MORE people in a lot less space, with A LOT LESS public money, emissions, pollution, noise etc. Choices. Simple.

Graphic showing a 9 m wide track for metros can move as many people as a 175 m wide, 7 lane road for cars.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Getting a bunch of rich people in a room will not solve the world’s problems. They will want to remake the world, or in this case the country, into a place where they would feel comfortable and where their needs are met. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...

theglobeandmail.com

Inside the private Muskoka conference that lures Canada’s movers and shakers – including Mark Carney

Since 2015, the invitation-only gathering has brought together prominent Canadians for candid conversations about the challenges shaping the country’s future

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Pissedoffpundit @pissedoffpundant.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Great movie, wish I would've known it was a documentary, way back then🤔...

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

@economist.com Checks and Balance podcast wants listeners to name their favourite founding father. I picked John Adams. Here is why: #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books @dundurnpress.bsky.social @america250.bsky.social @revwar250.bsky.social

Two separate portraits of Abigail and John Adams. She is wearing a lace cap and shawl. He is dressed in a black jacket and white neckerchief. They are middle-aged. Both look serious.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

The founding fathers were still peeved with Britain about the 1774 Quebec Act when they declared independence #OTD July 4, 1776. They made sure to include the Act’s terms in the grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence. #canada #history #americanrevolution @revwar250.bsky.social

A map of part of North America in 1774, showing the original 13 colonies, the British colony of the Province of Quebec (Canada), the Spanish possessions, which take up most of the map, and Oregon Country on the west coast. There is also an area marked Indian Country between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River. East and West Florida are shown. The Province of Quebec extends below the Great Lakes to the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

#OTD July 3, 1776, John Adams grumbled in a letter to his wife Abigail that had the Declaration of Independence been made seven months earlier, “we should have mastered Quebec and been in Possession of Canada.” #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #americanrevolution @revwar250.bsky.social

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Internet Archive @archive.org · 01/07/2026

🇨🇦 This Canada Day, we're celebrating the remarkable collection built by Internet Archive Canada and its library, archive, and university partners over the past 20 years. Discover how this digital library came together ⤵️ internetarchivecanada.org/2026/07/01/w... 🧵 1️⃣/ 👇

A pen-and-watercolor page from the Katchewanooka Herald presenting a five-panel comic sequence numbered 1–5. Panel 1: a soldier reassures a frightened woman, "Don't be alarmed Mrs. Collins, I will protect you"; panel 2 shows a hedgehog on a plank labeled "The supposed whirlpool"; panel 3 depicts the soldier prodding the hedgehog with a long pole, captioned "Mr. Collins am I done enough?"; panel 4 shows a woman seated on a trunk covering her face, captioned "Oh! Oh! Mr. Collins do not be so rash"; panel 5 shows a figure lying flat on the ground, captioned "At the report of the gun Mrs. Collins has fainted & disappears behind the log." The paper is aged with torn edges.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

#OTD July 1, 1776, delegates to the Continental Congress pondered their failure to make Canada the 14th colony before they moved on to debating the wording of their intended declaration of independence. #history #books #americanrevolution @revwar250.bsky.social @250yearsagonews.bsky.social

A sepai-toned etching of John Adams, founding father. He is wearing a dark coat, white neckerchief, and his natural hair. His image is surrounded by a decorative frame.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Benjamin Franklin tried twice during the American Revolution to make Canada the 14th colony. I wrote about these failed attempts and the thinking behind them for the Canadian Encyclopedia. Here's the link: thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/b... #canada #history #books #americanrevolution

thecanadianencyclopedia.ca

Benjamin Franklin and American Attempts to Annex Canada

Benjamin Franklin, writer, publisher, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat (born 17 January 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts; died 17 April 1790 in Philadelphi...

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

#OTD June 18, 1776, a defeated American army straggled out of Fort St. Jean on the last leg of their journey home to the 13 Colonies. They had invaded the British colony of Canada the previous September, confident of making it the 14th colony. #canada #history #books #americanrevolution

A portrait of John Adams, founding father. He is seated, wearing a beige jacket and waistcoat. He appears to be wearing a grey wig, that is curled at the sides. The chair he is seated in is read. He is holding papers in his hand.

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The Tattooed Historian @tattooedhistorian.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Coming up tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET!

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

#OTD June 8, 1776, the American troops who invaded the British colony of Canada in 1775 fought one last, disastrous battle at Trois-Rivières before resuming their headlong rush for home. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #americanrevolution @dundurnpress.bsky.social

Black and white etching of General John Sullivan of the Continental Army. He is wearing an army uniform, holding a spear, and has his hand on his hip. He looks determined.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

“The Dogs of Warr are now fairly let loose upon us.” So wrote Robert Morris, a key financial backer of the American Revolution and future founding father, #OTD June 5, 1776. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #americanrevolution #america250 @dundurnpress.bsky.social @revwar250.bsky.social

An oil portrait of a portly man from the revolutionary era. He is wearing a beige jacket and waistcoat and white neckerchief. He had his hand resting on a book. He has long hair on the sides and appears to be balding on top.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

This never gets old! Signed copies of my book at Indigo Rideau in Ottawa today. My book explains why Benjamin Franklin was in Montreal 250 years ago trying his best to make Canada into the 14th American colony. As the title suggests, he failed. #canada #history #books #americanrevolution

Woman with short grey hair and glasses, wearing a beige shirt. She is holding a copy of the book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin's Failure to Annex Canada, and is standing in front of a stack of the book in front of a sign that says History. She is in a bookstore.

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ravenspoint.bsky.social @ravenspoint.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

It is creepy when google, microsoft, etc, etc try to ram AI down out throats. Now the government wants us to meekly accept this flawed and expensive brain substitute.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

One of the reasons the 1775-76 American invasion of Canada failed was that the residents of the British colony of Canada set aside their historical grievances and united to defend Quebec City. #hedidnotconquer #canada #books #history #americanrevolution #cdnpoli

Four people are standing in front of a panelled wood door marked Senate Chamber, two men and two women. The men are holding copies of the book He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada. Everyone is smiling.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

After Benjamin Franklin fled Montreal on May 11, 1776, his fellow commissioners Charles Carroll and Samuel Chase stayed behind in the forlorn hope that the American invasion of Canada could still succeed if more troops, food, and money were sent north. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books

An oil portrait of Charles Carroll of Carrollton. He is wearing a dark coat and white neckerchief. He has silver-grey hair swept back from his face and looks distinguished.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

I am having fun on this swing through western Canada to talk about my book. Tonight in Saskatoon we had a lively discussion afterwards about how to improve how history is taught in Canada. #canada #history #books #americanrevolution

Woman in black pants and green shirt is smiling in front of a banner that reads CIC Saskatoon branch.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Who says you can’t have fun while talking about your book? I had a great time this evening discussing Benjamin Franklin’s failure to annex Canada with an informed and engaged Winnipeg audience. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #americanrevolution @dundurnpress.bsky.social

A woman with short grey hair and glasses, wearing a red jacket is laughing. She is standing beside a lectern and a banner that reads CIC Winnipeg branch. She appears to be giving a speech in a bookshop.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

When Benjamin Franklin fled Montreal for Philadelphia on May 11, his two fellow commissioners remained behind in the hope that they might still be able to salvage the American invasion of Canada and set up a new government. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #americanrevolution Dundurn Press

An oil portrait of Charles Carroll of Carrollton. He is wearing a dark jacket with what looks like a fur collar. He has a white neckerchief. His hair is silver-gray and is swept back from his face.

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Canadian Curmudgeon 🍁 @cdncurmudgeon.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/may-12-2026 The biggest story in the country, today and always, is that the president of the United States is mentally unwell.

heathercoxrichardson.substack.com

May 12, 2026

The biggest story in the country, today and always, is that the president of the United States is mentally unwell.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Quebec City is central to the story I tell in my book about Benjamin Franklin’s failure to annex Canada. I was delighted to speak at the Morrin Centre there last night. My thanks to Noora Heiskanen of the centre, Renald Grégoire of the CIC, and everyone who came. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history

Three people standing in front of an audience at the Morrin Centre in Quebec City: author Madelaine Drohan (short grey hair, glasses, green jacket), Renald Grégoire of the Quebec section of the Canadian International Council (wearing a pale blue shirt), and Noora Heiskanen of the Morrin Centre (long brown hair, wearing a patterned top). They are standing in front of a banner with CIC on it. There are bookshelves behind them.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

#OTD May 11, 1776, Benjamin Franklin fled Montreal after learning that British war ships had arrived at Quebec City and were sailing up the St. Lawrence River. The American invasion of the British colony of Canada was collapsing. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #americanrevolution

A black and white image of an elderly Benjamin Franklin. He is balding and looks serious. He is wearing a waistcoat with a jacket over it and a white neckerchief.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Guy Carleton, British governor of the colony of Canada, showed mercy to American invaders when they abandoned their siege of Quebec City on May 6 and fled into the woods. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #quebec #americanrevolution @dundurnpress.bsky.social

A portrait of Sir Guy Carleton, governor of Canada during the American Revolution. He is wearing a red, military uniform, with a black collar, and a white neckerchief. He has grey hair and is gazing off to the right.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

On May 11, I’ll be speaking at the Morrin Centre in Quebec City about Benjamin Franklin’s attempts to possess Canada. It was on that day 250 years ago Franklin fled Montreal after the American invasion of Canada collapsed. If you are in Quebec City, please come! CIC, Quebec branch, is co-sponsor.

morrin.org

My Morrin Lecture: "Fending off the Americans for 250 Years" - Morrin Centre

Attend a My Morrin presentation!

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Stanbridge East lies close to the path American invaders took in 1775 as they fought their way to Montreal — and when they made their hasty exit in 1776. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books @amrevmuseum.bsky.social @dundurnpress.bsky.social #americanrevolution

Two women stand on either side of red, British, military uniform worn by a loyalist during the American Revolution. The uniform is on exhibit at the Missisquoi Museum in Stanbridge East, Quebec. The women are smiling.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

When the British frigate HMS Surprise appeared before Quebec City #OTD May 6, 1776, the American troops besieging the city panicked and fled. It was the beginning of the end of the American invasion of the colony of Canada. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #BritishNavy #masterandcommander

An old oil painting of the HMS Surprise, a British frigate in the late 1700s. It is at anchor, with its sails furled, and is surrounded by smaller boats. It is flying the blue ensign off its stern. The colours are subdued.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Benjamin Franklin got a nasty shock when he arrived in Canada and discovered the French Canadians would not accept the newly-created, American paper currency. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books Dundurn Press #americanrevolution

A sepia-toned bill for eight dollars labelled Continental Currency. It has a harp on the left-hand side and the margins are decorated with elaborate scrolls. The printing says the bearer is entitled to eight, Spanish-milled dollars or their value in gold or silver.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

#OTD April 29, 1776, Benjamin Franklin arrived in Montreal, occupied by American troops since the previous November. Franklin, Charles Carroll and Samuel Chase, had been sent to Canada by the Continental Congress. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #montreal #americanrevolution

A sepia-toned etching of Benjamin Franklin. He is wearing a fur cap, dark jacket and white neckerchief. He is looking sideways through spectacles and has a serious expression.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

When Benjamin Franklin arrived in France in December 1776, he stayed with Jacques-Barthélémy Gruel, a Nantes shipowner who made a fortune in the slave trade. #hedidnotconquer #Canada #history #books #AmericanRevolution @dundurnpress.bsky.social

A coloured drawing of a French slave ship from the 1700s. The bottom two decks hold barrels. The next deck up is crammed with enslaved people. The top deck is clear.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

I wish Mike Myers had given PM Mark Carney a statue of Sir Guy Carleton instead of General Isaac Brock. Everything the PM said about the War of 1812 in his video applies equally to the American invasion of Canada in 1775. #hedidnotconquer #Canada #history #books #AmericanRevolution

A portrait of Sir Guy Carleton, governor of the British colony of Canada. He is wearing a red army jacket, trimmed with gold, and a white neckerchief. He has white hair and a serious expression.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Benjamin Franklin was in Saratoga on his way to Canada in 1776 when he began to have doubts about whether he and two colleagues could salvage the faltering American invasion of the British colony. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #americanrevolution @dundurnpress.bsky.social

Painting of Benjamin Franklin reading a document. He is wearing spectacles and a grey wig. He has on a blue coat with gold decorations.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

#OTD April 9, 1776, it took Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Chase, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton an entire day to travel 51 km (32 mi) from Albany, NY, to Saratoga. They were on their way to Montreal to salvage the faltering American invasion of Canada. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books

A sepia-toned etching of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who accompanied Benjamin Franklin to Montreal in 1776. He has a full head of hair and is wearing a dark jacket and white neckcloth. He has a serious expression.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

By April 1776, the American invasion of Canada was foundering, in part because the invaders were mistreating ordinary French Canadians. “The peasantry in general have been ill-used,” rebel officer Moses Hazen wrote #OTD April 1, 1776. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #americanrevolution

This is a painting of habitants from 1852. It shows a family — mother, father, and three children — inside in front of an iron stove. The mother appears to be knitting. The children are playing on a rug.

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Ann Foster @vulgarhistory.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

It delights me to no end to see my book on display in bookshops! Is it just me or does this cover stand out wildly amidst other nonfiction books (no disrespect to other nonfiction books). I took this pic at @mcnallyrobinson.com where it’s up front on a table of local bestsellers!

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

I worry sometimes that young people might not be interested in history. That certainly wasn’t the case yesterday, when I talked about my book at Nipissing University in North Bay, ON. #hedidnotconquer #canada #history #books #americanrevolution

A group of students are standing around an older woman, with grey hair and glasses. They appear to be asking questions. In the background, an image of a book cover is projected on a screen. The book is He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

#OTD March 20, 1776, Benjamin Franklin received official instructions from the Continental Congress on how to govern Canada. He was to travel to Montreal, then occupied by the Continental Army, and salvage the faltering American invasion. #hedidnotconquer #Canada #history #books #America250

Black and white etching of Benjamin Franklin wearing a fur cap. He is wearing spectacles, a dark jacket and a white neck cloth.

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Madelaine Drohan @mdrohan.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Did Benjamin Franklin do Canadians a favour by insisting Britain keep it instead of Guadeloupe after the French and Indian War? That was one of the interesting questions posed last night when I talked about my book to the officers and guests of the Queen’s York Rangers. #canada #history #books

A woman with short, grey hair, wearing glasses and a red jacket is standing in front of a display of ornate silver. Behind her on the wall are the regimental colours of the Queen’s Rangers, preserved from the American Revolution.

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