Canadian Historic Events By Akyl W. Oct 24, 1497 Italian born navigator John Cabot reaches the coasts of Newfoundland and Cape Breton. Period: Oct 24, 1497 to Oct 24, 2003 Canada Oct 24, 1534 Jacque Cartier explores the Saint Lawrence River, claiming the area for France. Oct 24, 1583 Newfoundland becomes England's first overseas colony Oct 24, 1670 London traders establish Hudson's Bay Company. Oct 24, 1763 The Treaty of Paris gives England control of France's territory in North America. Oct 24, 1776 Refugees from the America Revolutionary War who are loyal to the British move north present day Canada. Oct 24, 1812 War of 1812: American invasion of area around the Great Lakes and the Canadian frontier. Oct 25, 1846 Oregon Treaty between the United States and Canada sets the new border at the 49th parallel. Oct 25, 1867 Dominion of Canada is formed and self-government was granted. Oct 25, 1898 Gold Rush takes place along the Upper Yukon River. Oct 25, 1914 Canada fights on the side of the British and the French in World War I. Oct 25, 1939 Canadian forces join the Allied Powers in World War II. Oct 25, 1945 World War II Ends. Oct 25, 1969 U.S. spacecraft Apollo 11 lands on the moon with Canadian-built landing gear. Oct 25, 1989 U.S./Canada Free Trade Agreement. Oct 25, 1991 Canada sends troops and supplies to aid U.S. in the Persian Gulf. Oct 25, 1994 The North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) comes into effect, linking Canada, the United States and Mexico in a new economic partnership. Oct 25, 2003 Canada decides not to be a part of the military coalition led by the United States against Iraq.