Do You Know The Biggest Moments In Canadian History?

By: Bambi Turner
Image: shutterstock

About This Quiz

Canada may sit just to the north of the United States, but it has a rich history all its own. From Aboriginals and First Nations, to European explorers forging through the harsh environment, to modern cities and settlements, Canadian history is equal parts turmoil and triumph. Take our quiz to see how much you know about the people, places and moments that make up the history of Canada.

What was John Hudson looking for when he discovered the bay that bears his name?

Like many other early Canadian explorers, John Hudson was seeking the Northwest Passage when he reached the Hudson Bay. Thanks to a mutiny, he was set adrift and likely died in or around the Bay in 1611.

When did Canada strike its first domestic coin?

The Ottawa Mint struck the country's first coin -- worth 50 cents -- in 1908.

Who was Canada's first prime minister?

John MacDonald was both the first and third prime minster to represent Canada, serving from 1867 to 1873 and again from 1878 to 1891.

What was the name of explorer John Cabot's ship?

British explorer John Cabot sailed to eastern Canada aboard the Matthew in 1497, making him the first European to claim land in Canada.

What does kanata mean in the Iroquoian language?

The name Canada comes from the Iroquoian word kanata, which means village.

Which country established the first European settlement in Canada?

The French were the first to establish European settlements in Canada, settling at Port-Royal, Nova Scotia in 1604.

What did the Hudson's Bay Company specialize in?

In 1670, King Charles II granted a charter to Hudson's Bay Company, which specialized in selling North American furs to wealthy Europeans.

What was Canada's population in the 1660 census?

In the first Canadian census, the country had a European population of just 3,418 in 1660. By 1739, that number had grown to more than 42,000.

When was the famous Montreal Peace Treaty between the French and the Indians signed?

Early European settlers to Canada faced fierce resistance from the Indians. The 1701 Montreal Peace Treaty was signed by 38 nations, including the Iroquois and promised to stop the bloodshed between natives and settlers.

What city was home to Canada's first newspaper?

The Halifax Gazette became Canada's first newspaper in 1752. The city was founded just three years prior and had a population of only 4,000 residents at the time.

Fort Rouille sat on the site of this modern city.

Founded in 1750, Fort Rouille was a hot spot for fur trading and would one day become the city of Toronto.

What two countries fought in the Seven Years' War?

The 1763 Treaty of Paris ended the Seven Years' War and helped bring peace between French and English settlements in the New World.

France gave up its mainland Canadian territories in the Treaty of Paris.

France forfeited its mainland territories in Canada after the Seven Years' War, clearing the path for British rule in the early days of Canadian history.

What year was Canada divided in half thanks to The Constitutional Act?

The Constitutional Act of 1791 split Canada into an Upper and Lower area. It also established government selected by the people, paving the way for modern democracy.

What was Toronto known as before 1834?

In 1834, York was renamed as Toronto, and the city was officially incorporated.

What was featured on Canada's first stamp in 1851?

Released in April 1851, Canada's beaver stamp was the first known postage stamp in history to feature a picture of an animal, rather than a person.

What city was chosen as Canada's capital in 1857?

Queen Victoria selected Ottawa to serve as the capital of the Province of Canada in 1857. Before Ottawa, both Montreal and Toronto had a turn in the role of capital city.

How many provinces did Canada have when it became a Dominion in 1867?

Canada went from Province to Dominion in 1867. At the time, Canada had just four provinces, including Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Canada took part in World War I.

Canada automatically became embroiled in World War I when Great Britain entered the conflict. At the start of the war, Canada had an Army of just 3,110 men.

Canadian women won the right to vote before U.S. women.

Canadian women won the right to vote in all federal elections in 1918 -- two years before women's suffrage took effect in the U.S.

What year was the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Force established?

The famous Canadian Mounties were formed in 1920 when the North-West Mounted Police and the Dominion Force merged.

What document officially gave Canada its independence from England?

Canadian independence was cemented with the 1926 Balfour Report, which declared Canada a constitutional equal to England.

Canada avoided participation in World War II.

Unlike World War I, when Canada was forced into the war alongside Great Britain, Canada chose to declare war on Nazi Germany in 1939.

How many Canadians died in World War II?

While Canada maintained an Army of just 4,500 soldiers at the start of World War II, more than 42,000 Canadians eventually died in the conflict.

What year did Canada select its iconic red and white flag?

Though red and white have served as the country's official colors since the 1920s, the red and white maple leaf flag wasn't chosen to represent the nation until 1965.

What year did "Oh, Canada" get its English lyrics?

The English lyrics to the song were penned in 1908 by Robert Stanley Weir, but the music was composed back in 1880.

Canada has two official languages.

Thanks to the Official Languages Act of 1969, both English and French are considered official Canadian languages and are given equal status in the eyes of the law.

What year did the Canadian Constitution Act go into affect?

The country's Constitution, which outlines the laws of Canada and guarantees certain rights, went into effect in April 1982.

What does Nunavut mean in the Iroquois language?

Nunavut -- Iroquois for "our land" -- became Canada's third official territory in 1999. It's capital is Iqaluit, and it sits at the northern edge of the country close to the Arctic Circle.

What is the population of Canada as of the 2006 Census?

Canada has around 31 million residents as of the 2006 Census. That's about one-tenth of the U.S. population.

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