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5200 BCE
Sto:lo are living alongside the Fraser River near what is now Mission, B.C. (Some say they may have been as early as 9000 BCE)
I think that this is a significant event in Canadian history because it represents the occupation of the West Coast long before the Europeans and Americans struggled to conquer it from its inhabitants. -
Jan 1, 1534
1534-1541 Jacques Cartier visits the Strait of Belle Isle (Newfoundland), and charts the Gulf of St. Lawrence (landing in Gaspé, July 14). He takes two Aboriginals with him back to France. 1535 Cartier sails up the St. Lawrence River to...
I think that this is a significant event in Canadian history because Jacques Cartier founded the first (temporary) European settlement in North America. -
King Henry IV of France grants a fur-trading monopoly in the Gulf of St. Lawrence to a group of French merchants.
I think that this is a significant event in Canadian history because the fur trade was a major source of both resources and income for Canada for centuries. -
1605-1609 Samuel de Champlain and the Sieur de Poutrincourt found Port Royal (Annapolis, N.S.). 1608 Champlain founds Québec (July 3), creating in effect the first permanent European settlement. 1609 Champlain supports the Algonquins against...
I think that this is a significant event in Canadian history because Samuel de Champlain founded the first European settlement in North America. -
The Huron nation is reduced by half from European diseases (smallpox epidemic, 1639).
I think that this is a significant event in Canadian history because the Hurons weren't the only indigenous group to be greatly affected by foreign diseases and because so many Aboriginals died due to this outbreak. -
The Hudson’s Bay Company is founded by royal charter and, underwritten by a group of English merchants, is granted trade rights over Rupert’s Land -- i.e., all territory draining into Hudson’s Bay (May 2).
I think that this is a significant event in Canadian history because the Hudson's Bay Company became an enormous power in the territory that is now known as Canada. -
1759-1763 British General Wolfe takes Québec for Britain by defeating French General Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham (Sept. 13), but both generals are killed. 1760 The British Conquest. General James Murray is appointed first British military...
I think that this is a significant event in Canadian history because Québec was captured by the British, and the Aboriginals begin to lose profits from their alliance with the British. -
The U.S. declares war on Britain (June 18), beginning the War of 1812. Americans under General William Hull invade Canada from Detroit (July 11). Canadians are victorious at the Battle of Queenston Heights (Oct. 13). The Red River settlement...
I think that this is a significant event in Canadian history because it was a time in which so much happened and because it was very important to the United States in terms of them becoming a powerful independent nation. -
Canada and the U.S sign a Reciprocity Treaty, ensuring reduction of customs duties (June 6).
I think that this is a significant event in Canadian history because it marked a somewhat positive political relationship between Canada and the United States. -
1858-1859 Chinese immigrants from California arrive in British Columbia, attracted by the Fraser River Gold Rush.
I think that this is a significant event in Canadian history because it brought income and workers to the West Coast. -
Mount Allison University accepts the first woman student in Sackville, N.B.
I think that this a significant event in Canadian history because it marks a time when women could receive the same education as men. -
Smallpox epidemic killed 14,000 Indians along the coast from Vancouver to Alaska.
I think that this is a significant event in Canadian history because smallpox killed a huge number of Aboriginals. -
Confederation. Britain’s North American colonies are united by means of the BNA act to become the Dominion of Canada (July 1). Sir John A. Macdonald is Canada’s first Prime Minister.
I think that this is a significant event in Canadian history because it was at this time that Canada became a country. -
Canada purchases Rupert’s Land from the Hudson’s Bay Company. Threatened by Canadian purchases of Hudson’s Bay territories, Louis Riel leads the Métis in occupying Fort Garry on the site of Winnipeg (now).
I think that this is a significant event in Canadian history because Canada bought land from the Hudson's Bay Company, threatening the jobs and territories of the Métis. -
Gold is discovered in the Klondike (Aug. 16). In full force by 1898.
I think that this is a significant event in Canadian history because, once again, it brought workers and sources of income to an area of Canada with a minute population.
