| Year | Event |
|---|
Exploration |
|---|
| 1497 |
John Cabot claims Newfoundland for England. |
| 1534 |
Jacques Cartier explores Gulf of St. Lawrence on first voyage. |
| 1576 |
Martin Frobisher searches for the Northwest Passage. |
| 1583 |
Humphrey Gilbert attempts to found colony in Newfoundland. |
| 1611 |
Henry Hudson is killed by a mutinous crew in Hudson Bay. |
| 1789 |
Alexander Mackenzie crosses Canada, discovers Mackenzie River and Artic Ocean. |
| 1792 |
George Vancouver discovers Vancouver Island and Puget Sound. |
French colonies |
|---|
| 1542 |
Jacques Cartier fails to establish permanent colonies on third voyage. |
| 1562-98 |
French Wars of religion interrupt settlement. Huguenots forbidden to emigrate. |
| 1608 |
Samuel de Champlain establishes a French colony at Quebec; becomes capital of New France. |
| 1615 |
First Catholic missionaries sent to New France to convert natives. |
| 1632 |
Colony at Port Royal on Bay of Fundy re-established; becomes capital of Acadia. |
| 1646 |
Saint Isaac Jogues, missionary to the Hurons, tortured, martyred by Mohawks. |
| 1682-92 |
Count Frontenac first term as governor of New France. Protects colonists from Iroquois. |
| 1755-63 |
French Indian Wars results in loss of French colonies in America. |
| 1755 |
Defeat of British General Braddock at Battle of Fort Duquesne. |
| 1755 |
Acadians from Nova Scotia forced to relocate. |
| 1759 |
At the Battle of Quebec General Wolfe wins New France for the British. |
British Canada |
|---|
| 1670 |
Hudson Bay Trading Company chartered by Charles II. |
| 1763 |
Treaty of Paris grants New France to Britain on condition of religious liberty for Catholics. |
| 1776 |
Canada declines to revolt against Britain, due to British toleration for French Catholics. |
| 1783 |
Emigration of Tories in lower colonies to Canadian dominions after Revolutionary War. |
| 1791 |
Former territories of New France partitioned into Lower and Upper Canada. |
| 1837 |
Rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada against British rule. |
| 1840 |
Act of Union, unites Upper and Lower Canada. |
| 1867 |
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia join Canadian Federation. |
| 1870 |
Manitoba and British Columbia join Canadian Federation. |
| 1885 |
Completion of Canadian Pacific Rail, Montreal to Vancouver. |
| 1905 |
Saskatchewan and Albert join Canadian Federation. |
| 1949 |
Newfoundland joins Canadian Federation. |