Canadian History Articles

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-23-2022

As one of the first parts of Canada to be explored and settled by Europeans over four centuries ago, Quebec has played a dynamic and fascinating role in the history of North America. This handy Cheat Sheet introduces you to some of the key things you should know about Quebec, from its original First Nation inhabitants and its world-famous historical landmarks to a helpful timeline of the most significant events that have shaped the rich history of Canada’s largest province.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 09-17-2021

Any place as eclectic and mixed up as Canada will never be able to settle on a single unified, national history that will please everyone. But make no mistake: There is a Canadian history that we need to know. From the reigning French and British kings and queens and the 22 Canadian prime ministers, to the 13 provinces and territories and the year they joined Canada, here are some of the key facts you should know about Canadian history.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Canadian confederation didn’t happen in a day. The provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia were the first to come onboard in 1867, but it wasn’t until 1999 that the territory of Nunavut was created. For quick reference, here’s a handy list of Canadian provinces and the year in which each joined confederation. 1867 Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia 1870 Manitoba 1871 British Columbia 1873 Prince Edward Island 1898 Yukon Territory 1905 Alberta, Saskatchewan 1949 Newfoundland 1999 Nunavut

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

The following list shows the reigning kings and queens of what ultimately would become Canada, before and after the conquest of New France in 1763. French (1534–1763) British (1763–present) Francis I (1515–47) George III (1760–1820) Henry II (1547–59) George IV (1820–30) Francis II (1559–60) William IV (1830–37) Charles IX (1560–74) Victoria (1837–1901) Henry III (1574–89) Edward VII (1901–10) Henry IV (1589–1610) George V (1910–36) Louis XIII (1610–43) Edward VIII (1936) Louis XIV (1643–1715) George VI (1936–52) Louis XV (1715–74) Elizabeth II (1952–present)

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Some of the most notable Canadian prime ministers were John A. Macdonald, Robert Borden, William Lyon Mackenzie King, Lester “Mike” Pearson, Pierre Trudeau, and Brian Mulroney. But there were many others. From John A to Stephen Harper, here’s a complete list of Canada’s 22 Prime Ministers and the political parties that they led. 1867–73, 1878–91 Sir John A Macdonald Conservative 1873–78 Alexander Mackenzie Liberal 1891–92 Sir John Abbott Conservative 1892–94 Sir John Thompson Conservative 1894–96 Sir Mackenzie Bowell Conservative 1896 Sir Charles Tupper Conservative 1896–1911 Sir Wilfrid Laurier Liberal 1911–20 Sir Robert Borden Conservative/Union 1920–21, 1926 Arthur Meighen Conservative 1921–26, 1926–30, 1935–48 William Lyon Mackenzie King Liberal 1930–35 R.B. (Richard Bedford) Bennett Conservative 1948–57 Louis St. Laurent Liberal 1957–63 John Diefenbaker Conservative 1963–68 Lester “Mike” Pearson Liberal 1968–79, 1980–84 Pierre Trudeau Liberal 1979–80 Joe Clark Conservative 1984 John Turner Liberal 1984–93 Brian Mulroney Conservative 1993 Kim Campbell Conservative 1993–2003 Jean Chrétien Liberal 2003–2006 Paul Martin Liberal 2006-present Stephen Harper Conservative

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Canadian history is a lot of fun. There are heroes and villains, tragedies and triumphs, great battles and sudden betrayals, loyal refugees and long struggles for social justice. The interpretation of Canadian history may vary – radically, at times – but there are still core events from our past that every Canadian should know. Brush up on your Canadian history with the following timeline of important events. 30,000–10,000 BC Prehistoric hunters cross over into Canada from Asia circa 1000 AD Leif Ericsson leads a Viking expedition to the New World 1451 The Iroquois Confederacy is formed 1497 John Cabot reaches Newfoundland (or perhaps Cape Breton) 1534 Jacques Cartier first explores the St. Lawrence region 1608 Samuel de Champlain establishes a French colony at Québec City 1670 Hudson’s Bay Company is formed 1755 Expulsion of the Acadians 1759 Battle of the Plains of Abraham: Québec City is captured 1763 New France is formally ceded to Britain; Pontiac Rebellion erupts 1783 Loyalist refugees begin arriving after the American Revolution 1812–14 War of 1812: U.S. invades Canada 1837–38 Rebellions against British rule in Upper and Lower Canada 1848 Responsible government is won, first in Nova Scotia, then in Canada 1867 Confederation (first four provinces: Québec, Ontario, N.S., and N.B.) 1870 Red River Resistance; province of Manitoba is created 1871, 1873 B.C. and P.E.I. join Canada 1885 North-West Rebellion; the Canadian Pacific Railway is completed 1905 The provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan are created 1914–18 World War I 1916 Women win the vote in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta 1919 The Winnipeg General Strike 1929–39 The Great Depression 1939–45 World War II 1949 Newfoundland joins Canada 1950–53 Korean War 1959 St. Lawrence Seaway (major transportation route) officially opens 1960 Québec’s Quiet Revolution begins; Native Canadians given the vote 1967 Canada’s 100th birthday; Expo 67 World’s Fair in Montréal 1970 October Crisis: political kidnappings, Ottawa suspends civil rights 1980 Québec referendum on “sovereignty-association” defeated 60% to 40% 1982 Constitution comes home — with a Charter of Rights and Freedoms 1987–90 Meech Lake Accord is put forward — and collapses 1992 Charlottetown Accord is rejected by a national referendum 1995 Québec referendum on sovereignty is narrowly defeated 1999 The new Arctic territory of Nunavut is created 2000 Clarity Bill outlines the terms of Québec separation 2003 Canada says “no” to joining the war in Iraq 2005 Former PM Jean Chrétien and sitting PM Paul Martin testify at the Gomery Inquiry 2010 Canada sets record for gold medals at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games