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Signing of the Treaty of Ghent
Signing of the Treaty of Ghent ends War of 1812 -
Battle of Waterloo
Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo brings the Napoleonic Wars to an end. -
Victoria ascends British throne
Queen Victoria would reign for 64 years. Her influence spread far beyond the United Kingdom. -
Rebellion in Lower Canada
Resentment of government control and policies flares into open rebellion. -
Rebellion in Upper Canada
William Lyon Mackenzie leads a short-lived rebellion in York. -
Lord Durham arrives.
Lord Durham arrives from Great Britain to investigate the situation in the Canadas. His report moves the colonies towards union. -
Act of Union
the Act of Union unites Upper and Lower Canada. -
Irish Potato Famine
Beginning in 1845, until 1852, a series of crop failures meant that most Irish people came to the brink of starvation. Many thousands emigrated to Canada to flee poverty and famine. -
Underground Railway
From 1861 to 1865 the Underground Railway brings escaped slaves to freedom in Canada during the American Civil War. -
Confederation of Canada
The British North American (BNA) Act, passed in the British Parliament in March, creates the Dominion of Canada. John A. Macdonald is the first Prime Minister. -
Red River Resistance
Louis Riel leads the Metis in the Red River resistance, advocating Metis rights and independence. Riel leaves Canada after the resistance subsides. -
Northwest Rebellion
The Northwest Rebellion pits the Metis and several First Nations against federal troops transported by the CPR. The Metis and First Nations are defeated at the Battle of Batouche. -
CPR completed
The last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway is driven at Craigellachie, British Columbia. -
Riel executed
Louis Riel is hanged at Regina.
