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Canada Historical Events

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Explore historical events and significant moments from Canada

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January
1
Political
Canadian Citizenship Begins
The Canadian Citizenship Act came into force. This created “Canadian citizenship” as a legal status... Read more
Economic
Goods and Services Tax (GST) Introduced
Canada introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a federal value-added tax. The GST replaced... Read more
2
Economic
Ottawa Mint Opens
The Ottawa branch of Britain’s Royal Mint officially opened. This operation later became known as... Read more
Military
Canada Creates Modern Joint Chiefs Role
Canadian officer Charles Foulkes was promoted to general. He became the first to hold the... Read more
3
Political
First Canadian Citizenship Certificate Issued
Canada held one of its first formal citizenship ceremonies after the new citizenship law took... Read more
Economic
Toronto Airport Expressway Opens
The Airport Expressway (built to serve Toronto International Airport, now Pearson) was officially opened to... Read more
4
Political
Unicity Council Inaugural Meeting
Winnipeg held the first Council meeting of the new “Unified City of Winnipeg,” often called... Read more
Social
First National Ribbon Skirt Day
This day was marked across Canada as the first National Ribbon Skirt Day. The day... Read more
5
Sports
U.S. Wins 2004 World Juniors Final vs Canada
Canada played the United States in the gold-medal game of the IIHF World Junior Championship... Read more
Natural Disaster
BC Place Roof Collapse
The air-supported roof of BC Place Stadium in Vancouver suffered major damage during severe winter... Read more
6
Religious
Maisonneuve Cross on Mount Royal
Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve (often described as Montréal’s founder) carried and erected a wooden... Read more
Political
Barbara Hanley Elected Mayor
Barbara Hanley was elected mayor of Webbwood, Ontario. Her election is recognized as the first... Read more
7
Natural Disaster
Ice Storm Provinces Request Federal Aid
During the severe 1998 ice storm in eastern Canada, the worst-hit provinces formally asked the... Read more
Social
Federal conversion therapy ban takes effect
Canada’s federal criminal ban on “conversion therapy” came into force on this date. The law... Read more
8
Military
Operation RECUPERATION Begins
The Canadian Armed Forces launched Operation RECUPERATION in response to the 1998 ice storm. Troops... Read more
Political
Royal Style and Titles proclamation issued
A royal proclamation establishing the monarch’s royal style and titles “for Canada” was issued in... Read more
9
Natural Disaster
Laurier Palace theatre tragedy
A fire incident at Montreal’s Laurier Palace Theatre triggered a deadly panic during a Sunday... Read more
Political
Marguerite Pitre executed in Montreal
Marguerite Pitre was executed by hanging at Bordeaux Jail in Montreal on this date. She... Read more
10
Economic
Nipigon River Bridge Closes
The Nipigon River Bridge in northwestern Ontario was unexpectedly closed to traffic due to a... Read more
Natural Disaster
Ontario–Quebec Winter Storm Begins
A major winter storm system began affecting southern Ontario and southern Quebec on this date.... Read more
11
Political
Frederick Seymour Appointed Governor of Mainland British Columbia
Frederick Seymour was appointed governor of the mainland Colony of British Columbia. The appointment came... Read more
Scientific
First Insulin Injection Given to Leonard Thompson
14-year-old Leonard Thompson received the first injection of an insulin preparation at Toronto General Hospital.... Read more
12
Religious
Death of Marguerite Bourgeoys in Montreal
Marguerite Bourgeoys died in Montreal on 12 January 1700. She was a major figure in... Read more
Social
Bathurst “Boys in Red” Van Crash
A van carrying the Bathurst High School boys’ basketball team collided with a tractor-trailer near... Read more
13
Sports
Birth of Connor McDavid
Connor McDavid was born on 13 January 1997 in Richmond Hill, Ontario. He later became... Read more
Other
Eastway Tank Explosion in Ottawa
A major explosion and fire occurred at Eastway Tank, Pump and Meter in Ottawa, Ontario.... Read more
14
Other
Hamilton Powder Works Explosion at Departure Bay
Two massive explosions struck the Hamilton Powder Company works at Departure Bay (near Nanaimo), British... Read more
Other
McGregor Mine Gas Explosion (Stellarton, Nova Scotia)
A deadly gas explosion occurred at the McGregor (MacGregor) coal mine in Stellarton, Nova Scotia.... Read more
15
Social
Death of Georges-Henri Lévesque
Georges-Henri Lévesque died on 15 January 2000. He was a Dominican priest and sociologist who... Read more
Economic
Target Announces Exit from Canada
Target Corporation announced plans to discontinue its Canadian operations. The decision followed major financial losses... Read more
16
Economic
Auto Pact signed
Canada and the United States signed the Agreement Concerning Automotive Products , commonly called the... Read more
Economic
Canada–Indonesia Tax Treaty Signed
Canada and Indonesia signed an income tax convention aimed at avoiding double taxation and reducing... Read more
17
Economic
Canada–Isle of Man Tax-Info Deal Signed
Canada and the Isle of Man signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA). The agreement... Read more
Social
Atikamekw of Opitciwan Social Protection Act
The Atikamekw community of Opitciwan’s child and family services law officially came into force. This... Read more
18
Political
Air Preclearance Treaty Signed in Toronto
Canada and the United States concluded an updated Air Transport Preclearance Agreement in Toronto. Preclearance... Read more
Political
Nunavut Devolution Agreement Co-Signed
The Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated co-signed the Nunavut... Read more
19
Political
Fort Garry crowd hears Donald Smith
About 1,000 people assembled at Upper Fort Garry to hear Donald A. Smith explain his... Read more
Economic
Canada–Guernsey Tax-Info Deal Signed
Canada and Guernsey signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA). The agreement established rules for... Read more
20
Social
Doukhobors Arrive in Halifax
The steamship Lake Huron arrived in Halifax Harbour carrying the first large group of Doukhobors... Read more
Political
Mackenzie King Announces Plan to Retire
Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King publicly announced that he intended to retire. This was... Read more
21
Social
Birth of Lincoln Alexander
Lincoln MacCauley Alexander was born in Toronto on this day. He became a major figure... Read more
Cultural
Quebec Adopts the Fleurdelisé Flag
Québec introduced the Fleurdelisé as its new national flag. Premier Maurice Duplessis announced the change... Read more
22
Political
Death of Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria died on this day, ending a long reign that shaped the British Empire.... Read more
Economic
CBCA Ownership Transparency Rules Take Effect
New federal transparency rules took effect for many corporations under the Canada Business Corporations Act... Read more
23
Scientific
Successful Insulin Treatment for Leonard Thompson
14-year-old Leonard Thompson received a purified insulin extract at Toronto General Hospital. Earlier attempts in... Read more
Political
Death of Helen Maksagak
Helen Mamayaok Maksagak died on this day in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. She was a major... Read more
24
Scientific
Cosmos 954 Re-enters Over Northern Canada
The Soviet satellite Cosmos 954 re-entered Earth’s atmosphere over northern Canada. The satellite was nuclear-powered,... Read more
Cultural
Death of Peter Gzowski
Peter Gzowski died in Toronto on this day. He was one of Canada’s best-known broadcasters... Read more
25
Economic
Air Canada Takes Delivery of Its First Airbus A320
Air Canada took delivery of its first Airbus A320. The aircraft type later became important... Read more
Social
First Confirmed COVID-19 Case Reported in Canada
Canada’s first confirmed COVID-19 case was reported on this day. The case marked the beginning... Read more
26
Political
Canadian Red Ensign Authorized Abroad
The Canadian government issued an Order in Council directing that the Canadian Red Ensign be... Read more
Social
Marshall Inquiry Report Released
The Royal Commission on the Donald Marshall Jr. case released its final report in Nova... Read more
27
Cultural
Birth of Mordecai Richler
Mordecai Richler was born in Montréal, Quebec. He became one of Canada’s most influential novelists... Read more
Political
Canadian Caper Escape from Iran
Six American diplomats who had been hiding in Tehran, escaped Iran using Canadian passports and... Read more
28
Political
Manitoba Grants Women the Vote
Manitoba became the first province in Canada to grant women the right to vote in... Read more
Political
Royal Proclamation Signed for the Maple Leaf Flag
Queen Elizabeth II signed the royal proclamation adopting Canada’s new national flag design. This proclamation... Read more
29
Social
Ontario Moves to Formalize Black History Month
Ontario announced it would seek to formally recognize February as Black History Month. The announcement... Read more
Social
Quebec City Mosque Shooting
A gunman attacked worshippers at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City after evening prayers.... Read more
30
Natural Disaster
Yamachiche Bus Crash
A serious highway crash occurred near Yamachiche, Quebec, close to Trois-Rivières. A bus collided with... Read more
Political
Lise Thibault Sworn In as Québec Lieutenant-Governor
Lise Thibault was sworn in as the lieutenant-governor of Québec. She was the first woman... Read more
31
Religious
Thanksgiving Date Set by Parliament
Canada’s Parliament proclaimed a “Day of General Thanksgiving” to be observed on the second Monday... Read more
Cultural
Art Gallery of Alberta Reopens to the Public
The Art Gallery of Alberta in Edmonton opened its redeveloped building to the public. The... Read more
February
1
Military
Canadian Forces Unified
Canada unified the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force... Read more
Social
Black History Month Law Takes Effect in Quebec
A Quebec law recognizing February as Black History Month came into effect. The law formally... Read more
2
Cultural
Groundhog Day Observed
Groundhog Day is observed on February 2, including well-known Canadian traditions such as predictions tied... Read more
Social
Clara Brett Martin Called to the Bar
Clara Brett Martin became the first woman in the British Empire to be called to... Read more
3
Natural Disaster
Record Cold at Snag, Yukon
The community of Snag in the Yukon recorded an extremely low temperature. It later became... Read more
Political
Royal Commission on the Status of Women Created
The federal government established the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada. The... Read more
4
Political
Birth of Cairine Wilson
Cairine Wilson was born in Montreal. She later became the first woman appointed to the... Read more
Political
Halifax Explosion Inquiry Blames Mont-Blanc
A judge presiding over the Halifax Explosion inquiry found the French ship Mont-Blanc solely at... Read more
5
Scientific
Solar Proton Event
The data was captured by Satellite 1963 38C (a U.S. Navy research satellite). It passed... Read more
Social
Toronto Bathhouse Raids
Toronto police carried out coordinated raids on four downtown bathhouses. Hundreds of men were charged,... Read more
6
Political
Elizabeth II Becomes Queen of Canada
King George VI died and Elizabeth II automatically succeeded to the throne. Because Canada is... Read more
Political
Supreme Court Allows Physician-Assisted Dying
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled unanimously to allow physician-assisted dying under specific conditions. The... Read more
7
Scientific
First Medical X-ray in Canada
Canada’s first medical X-ray examination was performed. It happened soon after X-rays were discovered, showing... Read more
Military
RCAF Golden Hawks Disbanded
The Royal Canadian Air Force’s Golden Hawks aerobatic team was disbanded. The team had performed... Read more
8
Sports
First Radio Broadcast of a Hockey Game in Canada
The first radio transmission of a hockey game in Canada took place on station CFCA... Read more
Sports
RCAF Flyers Clinch Olympic Hockey Gold
Canada’s RCAF Flyers defeated Switzerland 3–0 in the final game of the Olympic hockey tournament.... Read more
9
Political
Expulsion of Soviet Diplomats
External Affairs Minister Don Jamieson announced the expulsion of 13 Soviet officials. This is for... Read more
Social
Gerald Stanley Acquitted in Colten Boushie Case
Gerald Stanley was acquitted of murder and manslaughter in the killing of Colten Boushie. The... Read more
10
Political
Treaty of Paris Signed
The Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the Seven Years’ War between France, Britain, and... Read more
Political
Act of Union Proclaimed
The Act of Union was proclaimed in Montreal. It united Upper Canada and Lower Canada... Read more