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Take the Ontario Trivia ChallengeA Snapshot of Ontario's History
7,000 years ago
Ancestors of our First Nations follow their prey across the land bridge that connected North America to Asia and settle in what is now called Ontario.
Archaeologists believe they followed large mammals like the mastodon across the Bering strait when it wasn't full of icy water like today.
Some archaeologists believe they may have even arrived thousands of years earlier.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
Until the 1600s
If you think we're multicultural now, know that all sorts of distinct native cultures and languages flourish in Ontario until the 1600s.
In the north, Algonquin, Cree and Ojibwa people fish and hunt. Our original farmers in the south are the Huron, Tobacco (Petun), Neutrals (Attiwandaron), and Iroquois. The Iroquois Five Nations include the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida and Mohawk.
Multiculturalism is part of our history.
1610
New settlers arrive in Ontario, adding another culture to our growing multicultural mosaic.
They arrive via ship across the Atlantic ocean all the way from France. They stay in Quebec for a few decades. But being restless explorers, they decide to follow the St. Lawrence River into Lake Ontario.
Around the same time, British explorers arrive. Henry Hudson sails into Ontario and claims the Northern Bay area for Britain.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1639
Ontario is part of New France. And the French get busy settling it.
In 1639 they move inland away from precious water routes close to Midland, Ontario. Here, French Jesuit priests found the mission Ste Marie Among the Hurons. It's one of the first inland European settlements in North America.
And it's named for the Huron First Nations one of the original peoples and cultures to live in Ontario.
1600s-1760s
Although the Ste Marie Among the Hurons settlement is relatively peaceful, disputes take place throughout the province over trade and territory.
Mainly it's the French and British warring against each other over land, but they manage to get the Hurons and Iroquois involved too.
Image: Courtesy of the Canadian War Museum
1763
The final war between the French and British, called the Seven Years War, begins in 1754.
Seven years later in 1763, the Treaty of Paris establishes peace.
France gives up most of its North American territory to the British.
1775
The British gain new settlers thanks to the American Revolution that begins in 1775. Colonists who prefer being British to American flock to Ontario.
When the revolutionary war ends in 1783, making America a sovereign nation, even more United Empire Loyalists flee to Ontario. They're called Loyalists because they're loyal to the British Empire.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1791
Until 1791, all the lands north of the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes are simply known as "Quebec."
In 1791, the Constitutional Act divides this vast territory into Upper (present-day Ontario) and Lower Canada (present-day Quebec).
The first capital of Upper Canada is Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake), near the Canada-U.S. border. In 1793, the capital moves to York (now Toronto) because here it's safer from raids by our American neighbours.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
War of 1812
By 1812, Upper Canada's population swells to about 90,000.
But at this time we have other issues to deal with besides growing the population.
The United States declare war on Great Britain and invade Upper Canada. But the Americans are beaten back in 1812.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1813-1814
In 1813, Americans burn our Legislative Buildings in Toronto.
The British retaliate in 1814 by invading Washington and burning the Capitol and president's house.
Finally, the Treaty of Ghent gets signed and the war ends in a stalemate. The boundaries between British North America and the United States are set.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
After 1825
English, Irish and Scottish immigrants, lured by the promise of free land, move into what is now southern Ontario.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1827
We get our first university: The University of Toronto.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1837
William Lyon Mackenzie, Toronto's first mayor, leads the Upper Canada Rebellion to reform government.
Insurrection and rebellion take place all over Toronto.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1840
The Union Act takes effect, uniting Upper and Lower Canada into a single colony called the Province of Canada.
At the time of union, Upper Canada's population is about 450,000. Kingston is the capital of the Province of Canada until 1843, when the capital moves to Montreal.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1848
Government reform makes Cabinet responsible to the elected Legislative Assembly and the voters.
Responsible government has arrived!
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1850s
A railway boom in British North America makes it possible to travel even in winter.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1855
On Christmas Day in Kingston, members of the Royal Canadian Rifles strap blades to their boots, take an old lacrosse ball, field hockey sticks and play the first hockey game.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1867
Happy first birthday, Canada!
The British North America Act creates the Dominion of Canada, joining the provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick into a federal union.
Ontario and Quebec become separate provinces. Sir John A. Macdonald the one on the $10 bill becomes Canada's first Prime Minister.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1867
Ontario's first Premier is John Sandfield Macdonald no relation to John A. And our capital city is Toronto.
Our legislative assembly, made up of elected representatives from all over the province, has 82 members.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1867-1900
Railways expand, new industries begin and cities grow.
Mining and forestry flourish in Northern Ontario. But farming remains Ontario's major industry until World War II.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1887
One of Ontario's first electric streetcars begins carrying passengers in St. Catharines.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1888
Electoral Reform: The first secret ballot and vote without property qualifications is cast.
This means you no longer have to own property to vote.
1908
Ottawa's Royal Mint makes the first Canadian coin.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1914-18
First World War: over 600,000 Canadians fight overseas in the Great War.
Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, a Guelph doctor serving in France, writes the world's most famous war poem.
In Flanders Fields, the poppies grow
Our soldiers bravely defend Vimy Ridge in France, under bleak conditions. A new monument is built in Vimy and France celebrates their sacrifice and courage.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1917
Women get the right to vote in Ontario.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1920s
Auto, pulp and paper, mining, iron and steel industries thrive.
Jobs attract immigrants from Europe and Asia. Our multicultural mosaic grows again.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1929
The stock market crashes on Black Tuesday, October 30, 1929.
1930s
The Great Depression causes unemployment and slows immigration.
People suffer its effects all over the world.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1939-45
The Second World War begins, and the Depression ends.
More than one million Canadians fight and 42,000 die.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
After World War II
Our economy and population grow in a big way.
A baby boom and increased immigration cause our population to spike.
By 1961, one in five Ontarians are immigrants. Our multicultural mosaic benefits from interesting new cultures.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1950s
Major transportation systems develop like the Trans-Canada Highway and the St. Lawrence Seaway, bringing people in this vast province closer together.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1950s
Nuclear power stations get built, adding a new and controversial source of power to our energy mix.
Image: Courtesy of the Ministry of Energy
1950s
Metropolitan Toronto is established, and Toronto's subway begins rumbling under the city.
Image: Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
1950s
Toronto's CBLT (and Montreal's CBFT) become Canada's first TV stations.
1960s-1970s
Toronto becomes the financial centre of Canada. Bay Street rivals New York's Wall Street as a business hub.
1960s-1970s
The world's tallest building opens in Toronto: The CN Tower.
1960s-1970s
Universities open during the 50s and 60s and grow during the 70s. Community colleges start in 1967.
1980
Terry Fox ends his Marathon of Hope in Thunder Bay half way to his goal of crossing the country.
His courageous run raises more than $24 million for cancer research, inspiring millions then and now.
1987
The 'Loonie', Canada's one-dollar coin circulates.
1989
The Skydome, with its nifty retractable roof, opens.
Ontario's blue box wins the first United Nations environmental award.
1991
Ontario's population reaches 10 million in 1991, nearly 37% of the population of Canada.
1992
Roberta Bondar becomes Canada's first woman in space.
1998
Eastern Ontario wakes up to one of the worst ice storms in history. The weight of ice topples trees and power lines, causing many homes to go without power for days.
1999
Ontario's auto industry sets a new record, producing three million cars.
1999
Ontario's high-tech trade develops and expands. And the BlackBerry is invented.
1999
Ontario's new high school curriculum rolls out, eliminating grade 13 or OAC and leading to the 2003 double cohort.
2002
Toronto hosts Pope John Paul II for World Youth Day 2002.
2003
SARS a global respiratory disease affects Toronto. Schools close and hospitals quarantine patients throughout the city.
SARStock, a huge rock concert to support SARS relief, takes place in Toronto. 600,000 people attend.
August 14, 2003
The largest blackout in North American history darkens much of Ontario and the Atlantic Seaboard.
2007
The new OnZone launches, giving diverse, young Ontarians a place to voice their views on government.
