1837
Queen Victoria Ascends the Throne
Queen Victoria becomes Queen of Great Britain and Ireland upon the death of her uncle King William IV, beginning a 64-year reign that will see major events in Canadian history unfold.
Discover what happened in Canada on any date in history.
Queen Victoria becomes Queen of Great Britain and Ireland upon the death of her uncle King William IV, beginning a 64-year reign that will see major events in Canadian history unfold.
The mainland colony of British Columbia, separate from Vancouver Island, is formally organized under Governor James Douglas, creating the administrative structure that will eventually lead to provincial status in 1871.
Governor General Viscount Monck issues a royal proclamation calling on Canadians to celebrate the anniversary of Confederation on July 1, beginning the tradition of Dominion Day celebrations.
British Columbia formally joins Confederation as Canada's sixth province, after being promised a transcontinental railway connection within ten years.
The Klondike Gold Rush is at its height with over 100,000 prospectors attempting the journey to Dawson City, Yukon, transforming the isolated northern territory and prompting Canada to assert sovereignty over the region.
Parliament debates the establishment of a permanent Canadian naval force, a subject that will result in the Naval Service Act of 1910 and the creation of the Royal Canadian Navy.
Canada marks the 60th anniversary of Confederation with national celebrations, highlighted by the unveiling of the Peace Tower carillon on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Parliament passes the National Resources Mobilization Act, authorizing conscription for home defence during World War II, a measure that will cause political controversy throughout the war.
The CBC launches television broadcasting in Canada, with stations in Montreal and Toronto going on air, beginning the era of television in Canada just as the medium transforms North American culture.
A bomb planted by members of the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) explodes in Montreal, part of a series of attacks by the separatist terrorist organization during the 1960s.
Parliament passes the Official Languages Act, declaring English and French the two official languages of Canada and requiring all federal services to be available in both languages.
Joe Clark of the Progressive Conservative Party is sworn in as Canada's 16th Prime Minister, forming a minority government after defeating Pierre Trudeau's Liberals in the May election.
Manitoba MLA Elijah Harper, a Cree leader, uses procedural delays to block a vote on the Meech Lake Accord in the Manitoba Legislature, ensuring the constitutional amendments will fail.
The Red River flood, one of the worst in Canadian history, reaches its peak near Winnipeg, Manitoba, flooding thousands of homes and forcing mass evacuations in the region.
Statistics Canada releases preliminary results from the 2001 census, showing Canada's population has grown to over 30 million for the first time in history.