On this date in 1965, Cross Country Checkup debuted with a debate on a national, publicly funded health care system. Years later, we have the national health care system and a radio program that continues to entertain and provoke. (Although I really do miss the standard two-question opener to each caller from years back: “Cross Country Checkup, where are you calling from? What do you think about ________”)

This day in 1965, Cross Country Checkup debuted on CBC Radio. Its first topic was a debate over a nationally publicly-funded health-care system — hence its title. It remains one of CBC Radio’s most popular programs and is still on the air 42 years later.