Human Timeline

1534 - Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence river, then travel across the island to find new places. He claimed Quebec’s Gaspe Peninsula for France.

1535 - Cartier finds the settlements of Stadacona and Hochelaga and gives Canada its name.

1642 - Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve founded Montreal in 1642. He gave the name Mont-real to a foothill rising above the St. Lawrence River.

1812-1814 - In the War of 1812 U.S. forces invaded Canada on July 12, 1812. The war lasted for almost two years and Canada won it in the end.

1813 - Americans burned York (Present day Toronto) during the war of 1812. York was the capital of upper Canada at the time.

22 April – 25 May 1915: Battle of Second Ypres - This was Canada’s first major battle, 6,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured: the Canadians managed to keep the Germans from breaking through.

26 October to 10 November 1917: Battle of Passionless - This battle is remembered for brutal fighting and horrible weather conditions. As many as 16,000 soldiers were killed/wounded.

17 December 1917: Federal Election - The 1917 debate on conscription, mandatory military service for men, was fiercest and most divisive in Canada. The pro-conscription side won the elections and had lasting political effects on the entire country.