Act of Union

May 12, 1785

Act of Union 

"Negro Frolicks" Prohibited

Officials in Nova Scotia ordered "50 Handbills [to] be immediately printed forbidding Negro Dances & Negro Frolicks in [the] town of Shelburne."

June 08, 1826

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Mackenzie's Office Raided

Members of the Family Compact raided the offices of William Lyon Mackenzie's newspaper, the Colonial Advocate, at York.

May 21, 1832

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Rioting in Montreal

Rioting erupted during a by-election in Montreal when the Patriote candidate began to take the lead. British soldiers fired on the crowd, killing 3.

June 24, 1834

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St-Jean-Baptiste Society

The St-Jean-Baptiste Society was founded by journalist Ludger Duvernay, who wanted to stimulate a nationalist spirit among his compatriots and encourage them to defend their linguistic and cultural heritage.

September 05, 1837

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Fils de la Liberté (Sons of Liberty)

The Fils de la Liberté, a party formed by 700-800 Patriotes, held their first public assembly. Inspired by the ideals of the American Revolution, the Fils believed in the right of the people to choose their own government and of a colony to become independent.

October 23, 1837

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Papineau Addresses Rally

Louis-Joseph Papineau spoke to some 4000 at Saint-Charles at which the Patriotes more or less declared the independence of the Six Counties and their willingness to resort to arms if necessary.

November 06, 1837

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Street Fight in Montreal

Thomas Brown led the Fils de la Liberté in a street fight with members of the English-Canadian Doric Club in Montréal, a prelude to the Rebellions.

November 16, 1837

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Patriotes Start Rebellion

A Patriote force attacked the newly formed Montreal Volunteer Cavalry near Longueuil and started the rebellion in Lower Canada.

November 16, 1837

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Insurrection in Lower Canada

Governor Gosford issued warrants for the arrest of 26 Patriote leaders on charges of high treason, initiating the events of the Lower Canada Rebellion. Troops and Patriotes were in battle a few days later.

November 23, 1837

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Battle of Saint-Denis

General Charles Gore and government forces suffered a minor defeat by Patriote forces at Saint-Denis.

November 25, 1837

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Patriotes Crushed

The Patriotes were crushed by government forces at St-Charles with 56 dead; Papineau fled to the US.

December 05, 1837

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Rebellion in Upper Canada

William Lyon Mackenzie led a rag-tag contingent of 800 men down Yonge Street toward Toronto. Government loyalists dispersed the rebels with a few shots, ending Mackenzie's erratic attempt to overthrow the colonial government.

December 07, 1837

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John A. Macdonald and the Rebellion of 1837

John A. Macdonald's early professional career coincided with the rebellion in Upper Canada and subsequent border raids from the US. He was in Toronto in December 1837 where, as a militia private, he took part in the attack on the rebels at Montgomery's Tavern. In 1838, he attracted public notice by defending accused rebels, including Nils von Schoultz, leader of an attack on Prescott.

December 11, 1837

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Corps of Negroes

In the early 19th century, few Upper Canada militia units included Blacks. When the Mackenzie Rebellion broke out, the government welcomed Black men into the provincial forces. On 11 December 1837, a militia order authorized Captains Thomas Runchey and James Sears to raise a "corps of Negroes." Four days later, approximately 50 Blacks had joined the corps.

December 14, 1837

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Battle of St-Eustache

Sir John Colborne captured St-Eustache after fierce resistance by the Patriotes during the Lower Canada Rebellion.

December 14, 1837

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Chenier Killed

Patriote leader Jean-Olivier Chénier was killed in combat at St-Eustache.

January 05, 1838

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Hunter's Lodges

A US proclamation forbade Americans from joining in the fighting in the Upper and Lower Canada Rebellions. Some American sympathizers organized in secret societies, called Hunters' Lodges, to take part in cross-border attacks in support of the rebellions.

January 08, 1838

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Attack at Amherstburg

A Patriote attack against Amherstburg, Upper Canada (Ontario), was defeated by Canadian militiamen.

February 10, 1838

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Constitution Suspended

The Constitution of 1791 was suspended in Lower Canada following the 1837 Rebellion. An "authoritarian" political body, the Special Council, was appointed in its stead. The second Rebellion in Lower Canada soon followed.

February 26, 1838

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Frères Chasseurs Attempt Invasion of Lower Canada

Rebel and Papineau supporter Robert Nelson gathered between 600 and 700 volunteers, the Société des frères Chasseurs (Hunters' Lodges), in an attempt to invade Lower Canada. Hunters' Lodges were the largest of the Secret Societies pledged to liberate the Canadian provinces from “British thralldom.”

March 06, 1838

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Blacks in Upper Canada Publicly Praised

In the spring of 1838, Lieutenant-Governor Sir Francis Bond Head addressed the legislature to publicly praise Black Upper Canadians for their loyalty and service during the recent rebellions.

March 30, 1838

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Durham Appointed

The Earl of Durham was appointed governor-in-chief of British North America and commissioner to investigate the causes of the rebellions. He served from May 29 to November 1.

April 12, 1838

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Lount and Matthews Hanged

Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews were hanged for treason, at Toronto, for their roles in the Rebellion of 1837.

July 04, 1838

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Nelson Deported

Former House of Assembly member Wolfred Nelson was deported to Bermuda, along with 8 other Patriotes, following the Lower Canada Rebellion.

November 04, 1838

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Second Rebellion in Lower Canada

Robert Nelson and Cyrille Côté led a 2nd rebellion in Lower Canada. Côté's men fled after a skirmish at Lacolle; Nelson retreated to Odelltown, north of the Vermont border, where he was defeated by Charles Taylor on November 9.

November 09, 1838

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Battle of Odelltown

The Patriotes were defeated at the Battle of Odelltown. It was one of the last skirmishes of the Lower Canada Rebellion.

November 12, 1838

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Battle of the Windmill

Colonel Nils Von Schoultz ran the schooner Charlotte aground some miles below Prescott, and took up a position in a windmill and several stone houses nearby. Canadian militia pounded the windmill and resistance collapsed on November 16.

January 18, 1839

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Rebels Hanged

Rebels were hanged at Montréal for their part in the Rebellions of 1837.

February 15, 1839

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Patriote Rebels Hanged

Five Patriotes, followers of Louis-Joseph Papineau, were hung at the Pied-du-Courant Prison following a trial for treason and murder.

September 27, 1839

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Patriotes Banished to Australia

The transport ship Buffalo left Lower Canada carrying 58 Patriotes bound for Australia. The Patriotes were exiled for their involvement in the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837–38. The rebels were imprisoned at Longbottom Stockade in Sydney, spending their time breaking rocks and collecting oyster shells to make lime. By 1844, all had received pardons. Most returned to Canada.

July 23, 1840

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Act of Union Assent

The Act of Union joining Upper and Lower Canada received royal assent in England. It came into effect on 10 February 1841.

February 10, 1841

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Act of Union in Effect

The Act of Union came into effect, uniting Upper and Lower Canada into the Province of Canada, a legislative union with 84 members divided equally between Canada East and Canada West.

February 13, 1841

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Kingston Chosen Capital

Kingston, Canada West, was chosen capital of the United Canadas. It only remained the capital until 1843.

June 14, 1841

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First Parliament in Canadas

The first session of the first Parliament of the United Canadas opened at Kingston, Canada West.

September 16, 1842

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La Fontaine-Baldwin Cabinet

The first La Fontaine-Baldwin cabinet was formed in the Province of Canada. The partnership led to the development of responsible government across the country.

May 10, 1844

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Capital Moves to Montreal

The capital of Canada was moved from Kingston to Montréal, Canada East.

May 26, 1846

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Responsible Government in Newfoundland

Public meetings at St John's, Newfoundland, adopted resolutions in favour of responsible government.

February 02, 1848

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Responsible Government in Nova Scotia

James Boyle Uniake became leader of a new Reform government. Nova Scotia was thus the first colony in the British Empire in which responsible government was in effect. Responsible government meant that a colony enjoyed complete self-government in domestic affairs and that a government ruled only with the support of the majority of the elected Assembly (the origins of today's cabinet government).

April 25, 1849

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Rebellion Losses Bill

Lord Elgin gave assent to the Rebellion Losses Bill, in effect the first acceptance of the principle of responsible government, over violent Tory opposition. A Tory-inspired mob burned the Parliament buildings that day.

April 25, 1849

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Parliament Buildings Burned

The Parliament Buildings in Montréal were burned down in riots protesting Lord Elgin's signing of the Rebellion Losses Bill. The seat of government was removed from Montréal and the Parliament met alternatively in Toronto and Québec City.

April 25, 1851

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PEI Gets Responsible Government

PEI obtained responsible government, with George Coles as premier.

December 31, 1857

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Ottawa Chosen Capital

Queen Victoria announced that she had chosen Ottawa to be the new capital of Canada. It became official on September 24, 1859.