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Feb 6, 1497
First European exploration
No further European exploration occurred until 1497, when Italian seafarer John Cabot explored Canada's Atlantic coast for England -
Jul 24, 1534
Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence River
In 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence River, where on July 24 he planted a 10-metre (33 ft) cross bearing the words "Long Live the King of France", and took possession of the territory in the name of King Francis I of France -
Period: to
French and Indians Wars
A series of four French and Indian Wars erupted between 1689 and 1763 -
Quebec Act
The British passed the Quebec Act of 1774, expanding Quebec's territory to the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley -
American Independence
The 1783 Treaty of Paris recognized American independence and ceded territories south of the Great Lakes to the United States -
Rebellions
The desire for responsible government resulted in the abortive Rebellions of 1837 -
Act of Union
The Act of Union 1840 merged the Canadas into a united Province of Canada. -
Canadian Confederation
The 1867 Constitution Act officially proclaimed Canadian Confederation on July 1, 1867 -
World War I
Because Britain still maintained control of Canada's foreign affairs under the Confederation Act, its declaration of war in 1914 automatically brought Canada into World War I. -
The League of Nations
In 1919, Canada joined the League of Nations independently of Britain -
Great Depression
The great depression in Canada during the early 1930s saw an economic downturn, leading to hardship across the country -
Canada's Independence
1931 Statute of Westminster affirmed Canada's independence -
Official Bilingualism
the implementation of official bilingualism (English and French) in 1969