Daniel's Modification of: the History Timeline, Jan. 2003

This is some highlights of significant events in Canadian history. Send us your suggestions for other events which should be included here.

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Acadian History Timeline

c. 30 000 B.C.	Aboriginals arrive on North American by travelling across a land bridge of the Bering Strait.
c. 1000 A.D.	Leif Ericsson and other Vikings visit Newfoundland and Labrador.
1492	Columbus' Coat of Arms Christopher Columbus Timeline A Columbus Timeline. The First Voyage, 1492-1493. The Second Voyage, 1493-1496. The Third Voyage, 1498-1500. The Fourth Voyage, 1502-1504.
1497	John Cabot claims Cape Breton Island for Henry VII of England. John Cabot, Or Giovanni Caboto, to use his original, Italian name. It is likely that he was born around 1455 in Gaeta, near Naples, and was the son of a merchant.
1498	Cabot makes his second voyage to North America.
1535	French explorer, Jacques Cartier, gave Canada its name when he mistook the Indian word Kannata, meaning a collection of huts, for the name of the country. On the first voyage in 1534, he thoroughly explored the Gulf of St. Lawrence. He claimed the Gaspe Peninsula for France and took two (kidnapped?) Laurentain Iroquois home with him to learn French. white cedar saved the rest of the crew. On the second voyage in 1535 to 1536, he used the two Indian interpreter-guides to plot him up the St. Lawrence River to Stadacona which is now known as Quebec. Spending the winter in Stadacona, 25 of his crew members died from scurvy before the discovery of a brew of white cedar ( tea from plant Annedda thanks to the Algonquins (Iroquoians?)) saved the rest of the crew.
1577	Martin Frobisher of England makes the first of three attempts to find the northwest passage, sailing as far as Hudson Strait A narrow channel, separating Baffin Island from Qubec in northeastern Canada. The strait, about 640 kilometers long and about 100 kilometers wide, allows access to the Hudson Bay.
1608	Samuel de Champlain founds Quebec City.
1663	Quebec becomes a royal province.
1666	Canada's first census counts 3215 non-native inhabitants in 668 families.
1670	The Hudson's Bay Company is formed and granted trade rights over all territory draining into Hudson Bay.
1701	The beginning of the collapse of New France.
1708	Louisbourg Falls.
1752	March 23 issue of the Halifax Gazette, first newspaper in what would become Canada.
1753	General George Washington's military expedition to the Monogahela is defeated by the French.
1759	General Wolfe takes Quebec, defeating Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham. Both are killed.
1763	France cedes its North American posessions to Britain by the Treaty of Paris.
1791	the Constitution Act divides Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada.
1812	Since the war of 1812, Canada and the United States have lived in harmony along the 49th parallel - the longest undefended border in the world. In this war, the British and Canadians were victorious bringing heroes such as General Issac Brock to the forefront with the Queeston Heights, Stoney Creek, and Lundy's Lane battles.
1836	Opening of the first railway in Canada from La Prairie to St. Jean, Quebec.
1841	The Act of Union unites Upper and Lower Canada.
1857	Ottawa chosen by Queen Victoria as the capital of the united colony of Canada.
1867	Canada becomes a sovereign nation by an act of the British Parliament (the British North America Act). Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick are united as the Dominion of Canada. Sir John A. Macdonald becomes the first prime minister.
1874	Alexander Graham Bell invents basic concepts of the telephone in Brantford, Ontario.
1875	The Supreme Court of Canada is established.
1885	On November 7, the last spike is driven into the Canadian Pacific Railway in British Columbia. Canada is now linked by rail coast to coast.
1893	First car in Canada, an electric, built by Dixon Carriage Works, Toronto.
1896	Gold discovered in the Klondike.
1909	First flight in Canada of heavier-than-air machine, under its own power - McCurdy's Silver Dart. Also year of first Grey Cup game, to declare Canada's football champions.
1917	April, Canadians storm Vimy Ridge - the first time the Canadian army fought as a separate distinct unit.
1919	Prime Minister Borden is party to the Treaty of Versailles - the first time Canada signed an international treaty on its own.
1923	Nobel Prize awarded to Sir Frederick Banting and Dr. Charles Best for the discovery of insulin by the research team which they headed.
1934	The Dionne Quintuplets are born in Callandar, Ontario.
1938	US President Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes the first American president to visit Canada when he met with William Lyon Mackenzie King in Kingston.
1939	September 10, Canada declares war on Germany.
1950	Canada joins the war in Korea as part of the United Nations force.
1955	Canada's first subway opens in Toronto; Hurricaine Hazel hits Toronto.
1960	Prime Minister John Diefenbaker introduces Canada's first bill of rights.
1965	The new Canadian flag is unveiled on Parliament Hill, February 15.
1967	Centennial Celebrations throughout the country; Expo '67 in Montreal; French President Charles de Gaulle is told to leave the country after his "Vive Quebec Libre" speech.
1970	The FLQ kidnaps British Trade Commissioner James Cross and murders Immigration Minister Pierre Laporte leading to the October Crisis and the implementation of the War Measures Act.
1973	Royal Canadian Mounted Police celebrate their 100th year of service in Canada.
1975	The CN Tower in Toronto is completed - the tallest free-standing structure in the world at a height exceeding 550 metres.
1980	Quebec votes "no" to a sovereignty referendum; "O Canada" becomes the national anthem.
1982	Canadian Constitution is patriated to Canada - no longer requiring British approval for new laws.
1984	The Pope visits Canada; Marc Garneau becomes the first Canadian in space; Brian Mulroney's progressive conservative government wins the largest majority in Canadian history.
1987	A free vote in the House of Commons narrowly defeats the proposed restoration of capital punishment; the first Canada-US Free Trade Agreement is signed.
1991	Canadian troops participate in a supporting role with the Allied forces in the assault against Iraq.
1993	The progressive conservative government goes from the largest majority in the House of Commons in Canadian history to retaining only two seats. Jean Chrétien becomes prime minister.
1994	Canadian troops leave CFB Lahr in Germany, officially ending 27 years of Canadian service for NATO in Europe.
1997	Confederation Bridge officially opens to traffic between Prince Edward Island and the mainland.
1999	Canadian CF-18 fighter-bombers take part in NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia; Nunavut becomes Canada's newest territory.