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An Afternoon with Marc Garneau

In-person

Library Science & technology Writing & literature
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Date and time

We’ll email you reminders a week before and the day before the event.

Location

Port Nelson United Church

3132 South Drive

Burlington, ON

Access

Free.

Offered in English.

Wheelchair accessible.

About

On October 5th, 1984, Marc Garneau made history. Blasting off from the Kennedy Space Center aboard the U.S. Space Shuttle and reaching a speed of 28,000 km/hour, he became the first Canadian to fly to outer space.

That monumental achievement, now etched in Canadian history as one of our country’s proudest moments, inspired a nation and ushered in a new era of space exploration for Canada. Twenty-four years later, Garneau made history yet again, becoming the first astronaut to be elected as a Member of Parliament.

In A Most Extraordinary Ride: Space, Politics, and the Pursuit of a Canadian Dream, Garneau chronicles his once-improbable ascent from a mischievous teenager and rebellious naval midshipman to a decorated astronaut and statesman who represented Canada on the world stage—both on and off the planet. With candour and humour, Garneau describes the highs and lows of his life and career, including the awe he experienced first seeing the earth from space, the tragic loss of his first wife to mental illness and suicide, sailing across the Atlantic and back in a sailboat called “the Pickle,” and witnessing the tragedy of the doomed shuttle Challenger.

Honest and illuminating, A Most Extraordinary Ride is a rare journey into the early years of Canada’s space program and an inside account of the joys and challenges of governing from one of Canada’s most distinguished citizens.

A Different Drummer Books will be on site with books for sale and signing after the talk.

This Culture Days event is presented in partnership with Signal Books and A Different Drummer Books.

Organizer

Burlington Public Library

Explore – Discover – Learn! That’s what Burlington Public Library is all about.

The Library belongs to everyone in the community and is free to join if you live, work, or go to school in Burlington. With six full-service branches across the city and a cozy collection in the rural hamlet of Kilbride, we’ve been a cornerstone of Burlington life since 1872. Central Branch, in downtown Burlington, features historical collections, a vibrant MakerSpace, and the imaginative DiscoverySpace for kids. Our branches are situated on Burlington Transit routes, and parking is free at every location. We are open every day except for statutory holidays.

We can't wait to welcome you during Culture Days 2024—come discover all that your library has to offer!

Contact

Burlington Public Library

info@bpl.on.ca

905.639.3611

This event is part of a hub:

Burlington Culture Days

The Corporation of the City of Burlington Burlington, ON

Celebrate Culture Days in Burlington! Join local artists, cultural professionals and creative organizations to attend free, interactive in-person and online events and activities during the 15th annual Culture Days celebration from Sept. 20...

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