Canada
History Timeline
Travel through our timeline of major events in Canada's history.
30,000–15,000 B.C.:
The first people arrive in the area. They had crossed a land bridge from northeast Asia to North America.
A.D. 1000:
The Vikings explore what is now Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and New Brunswick.
1497:
Explorer John Cabot sails to Canada's east coast and claims it for England.
1534:
Explorer Jacques Cartier claims the area now known as Quebec for France. He uses the Huron-Iroquois word for village or community, "kanata," to describe it.
1763:
The Treaty of Paris ends seven years of fighting between France and England. France gives its Canadian settlements to England.
1867:
Colonies now known as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec join to create the Dominion of Canada. Its government is similar to Britain's and includes a governor-general, who represents Britain's royalty.
1873:
Canada creates the North-West Mounted Police, now known as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or Mounties, to help keep order.
1896:
Gold is discovered in the Klondike region of western Canada.
1959:
The St. Lawrence Seaway opens, allowing cargo ships to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes.
1965:
Canada flies its red and white maple leaf flag for the first time.
1969:
English and French become Canada's official languages.
1976:
Montreal hosts the Summer Olympics.
1982:
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms becomes the law of the land. It outlines rights for all Canadians.
1988:
Calgary hosts the Winter Olympics.
1994:
Canada, Mexico and the U.S. sign the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Under the treaty, certain goods traded between the countries are tax-free.
1999:
Nunavut becomes a self-governing Inuit territory. It is the first territory to have a majority native population.