In 1991, the CBC and CTV began airing sixty second short films during commercial breaks and movie previews about inspiring and important moments in Canadian history called Heritage Minutes. Over time, these melodramatic commercials became so entrenched in Canadian culture that parodies sprung up (as seen below) and inside jokes ensued among Canadians, such as referencing “burnt toast.” Here are just a few minutes from a series that has expanded to more than 125 commercials:
In honour of Black History Month, lets start off with a minute from the underground railroad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCy-c4EQVWQ&feature=related
For all those comic nerds out there:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9GYWbhBoHM
Up next is a video dedicated to Dr. Wilder Penfield, an innovative and revolutionary brain surgeon whose research led to the cure of epilepsy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNdM9JhTPJw&feature=related
Ever heard of Bombardier? If you haven’t, you’ve probably been propelled forward by one of their engines:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLI4RSYvgNo&feature=autoplay&list=PLA4F1EA874D562F4C&lf=results_main&playnext=2
This video features Mona Parsons, a member of the Holland Resistance during the second world war:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciCK0dZBmwc&feature=related
Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for, a Canadian Mounty serving it to an American citizen*:
And, finally, the parodies! First up, from the The Rick Mercer Report (the Canadian version of The Daily Show), a Canada Hockey Heritage Minute:
Last, but certainly not least, a random Canadian’s parody of Sam Steele (the man who served it to the American one video ago). If you’re going to watch any of these just for laughs, make it this one… please:
*The original version of this short film did not, in fact, include the theme music for Shaft.
