Canada History By alex.754 Jan 1, 1497 Italian born navigator John Cabot reaches the coasts of Newfoundland and Cape Breton. Period: Jan 1, 1497 to Dec 31, 2003 Canadian Historical Events Jan 1, 1534 Jacque Cartier explores the Saint Lawence River, claiming the area for France. Jan 1, 1583 Newfound becomes England's first overseas colony. Jan 1, 1670 London traders establish Hudson's Bay Company Jan 1, 1763 The Treaty of Paris gives England control of France's territory in North America Jan 1, 1776 Refugees from the American Revolutionary War who are loyal to the British move north to present day Canada. Jan 1, 1812 War of 1812: American invasion of area arond Great Lakes and the Canadian Frontier. Jan 1, 1846 Orgon Treaty between the US and Canada sets the new border at the 49th Parallel. Jan 1, 1867 Dominion of Canada is formed and self government was granted. Jan 1, 1898 Gold Rush takes place along the Upper Yukon River. Jan 1, 1914 Canada fights on the side of the British and French in World War One. Jan 1, 1939 Canadian Great Depression Jan 1, 1939 Canadian forces join the Allied powers during World War Two. Jan 1, 1945 World War Two Ends Jan 1, 1969 US spacecraft Apollo 11 lands on the Moon with Canadian built landing gear. Jan 1, 1989 US/ Canada Free Trade Agreement Jan 1, 1991 Canada sends troops and supplies to US aid in Persian Gulf Jan 1, 1994 The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) comes in to effect, linking Canada, the US, and Mexico in a new economic partnership. Jan 1, 2003 Canada decides not to be a part of the military coalition led by the US against Iraq.