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The first Canadian postage stamps are printed
When Canada first began using postage stamps, the money used there was British money. So, stamps cost anywhere from half a penny to twelve pence. Those old Canadian stamps are now quite valuable to have. -
Fire that burns down 11,000 houses
Beginning of a fire which burns down 11,000 houses in Montreal. -
Train collides
A Great Western Railway passenger train collides with the tail end of gravel train at Baptiste Creek, Canada West. At least 52 people are killed. -
Bytown is remamed Ottawa
Bytown is the former name of Ottawa, Canada's capital. -
Bridge Collapses
The bridge over Desjardins Canal, near Hamilton, Canada West, collapses under a Great Western Railway passenger train. About 60 people die. -
New Capital
Queen Victoria was asked to choose a common capital for the Province of Canada, and she chose Ottawa. -
Victoria Bridge
Montreal's Victoria Bridge opens. Originally named the Great Victoria Bridge in honour of Queen Victoria. -
Train Runs into River
A train of newly arrived immigrants fails to stop at the open swing span near Beloeil, Canada East. The Grand Trunk Railway train runs into the Richelieu River, killing 99. -
Quebec Conference
(October 10-October 27) Quebec Conference, identified 72 resolutions for the British North America Act. -
Charlottetown Conference
(September 1-September 9) Charlottetown Conference, noted as the first step towards Confederation. -
London Conference
Macdonald, Brown, Cartier, Galt appointed to negotiate Confederation in London. This was the last of the conferences discussing Confederation. -
First Prime Minister
Sir John A. Macdonald becomes the first prime minister of the Dominion of Canada. -
J. S. Mcdonald premier of Ontario
John Sandfield Macdonald (December 12, 1812 – June 1, 1872) was the first Premier of the province of Ontario, one of the four founding provinces created at the confederation of Canada in 1867. He served as both premier and Attorney-General of Ontario from July 16, 1867, to December 20, 1871. He was personally referred to by his middle name Sandfield and often signed his correspondence and documents as "J. Sandfield Macdonald". -
John A. Macdonald marries second wife
Susan Agnes Macdonald (née Bernard), 1st Baroness Macdonald of Earnscliffe (24 August 1836–5 September 1920) was the second wife of Sir John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada. -
Canadian Parliament
The 1st Canadian Parliament was in session from November 6,1867 until July 8,1872.It was controlled by a majority coalition between the Conservative Party and the Liberal-Conservative Party under Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald and the 1st Canadian Ministry.The Official Opposition was the Liberal Party,led by Edward Blake from 1869 to 1871,followed by a vacancy in the Liberal leadership. (on the picture it shows the seating arrangements in the house of commons) -
John and Agnes have a daughter
In 1869 John A. Macdonald and Agnes had a daughter,Mary. It soon became apparent that Mary had ongoing developmental issues. She was never able to walk,nor did she ever fully develop mentally. She was born with brain damage and was not able to walk or speak clearly.Mary was included in her family's activities and attended parliament to see and hear her father speaking.Later,she was given a typewriter which enabled her to keep up correspondence until her death in England at the age of sixty-five. -
The Canadian Illustrated News
The Canadian Illustrated News was a weekly Canadian illustrated magazine published in Montreal from 1869 to 1883. It was published by George Desbarats.The magazine was notable for being the first in the world to consistently produce photographs at a successful rate. -
First Census
The first national census of the country Canada was taken in 1871, as required by section 8 of the then-British North America Act.The constitution required a census was to be taken in 1871 and every tenth year thereafter. All inhabitants of Canada were included, including aboriginals.While this was the first national census of Canada, only four provinces existed at the time: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Other areas enumerated in their own separate censuses. -
Edward Blake premier of Ontario
Dominick Edward Blake (October 13, 1833 – March 1, 1912), known as Edward Blake, was the second Premier of Ontario (replacing J. S. Macdonald), Canada, from 1871 to 1872 and leader of the Liberal Party of Canada from 1880 to 1887. He is one of only three federal permanent Liberal leaders never to become Prime Minister of Canada. -
Oliver Mowat Premier of Ontario
Sir Oliver Mowat, (July 22, 1820 – April 19, 1903) was the third Premier of Ontario (replaces the retiring Edward Blake), the eighth Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and one of the Fathers of Confederation. -
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Canada is created.The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court of Canada, the final court of appeals in the Canadian justice system. The court grants permission to between 40 and 75 litigants each year to appeal decisions rendered by provincial, territorial and federal appellate courts. Its decisions are the ultimate expression and application of Canadian law and binding upon all lower courts of Canada. -
Sir John A. Macdonald prime minister second time
Sir John A. Macdonald becomes prime minister for the second time, replacing Alexander Mackenzie. -
The Royal Academy for the Arts
The Royal Academy for the Arts is founded. The title Royal Canadian Academy of Arts was received from Queen Victoria on 16 July 1880. The Governor General of Canada, Sir John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, the Marquess of Lorne was its first patron. Lucius O’Brien, the painter was its first President. -
Edward Blake the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
Edward Blake becomes the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. -
"O Canada"
"O Canada" is the national anthem of Canada. It was first preforemed on june 24th 1880. The lyrics were originally in French and translated into English in 1906. -
1881 Census
The 1881 census finds Canada's population to be 4,324,810. -
The Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada is founded. -
The Parliament Building's new electric lights
The Parliament Building's new electric lights were turned on, for the first time. -
First Train from Montreal is approaching the Pacific.
The transcontinental railway is completed. John A. Macdonald receives a telegram announcing that the first train from Montreal in Quebec is approaching the Pacific. -
The Parliament buildings
June 6 - The Parliament buildings open in Ottawa
