The major stages of the country's history at a glance
A few milestones to place the major stages in the building of the modern country — not an exhaustive summary of Canadian history, which is already widely documented elsewhere.
First Peoples and New France
The territory of present-day Canada has been inhabited for millennia by hundreds of Indigenous nations (First Nations, Inuit) with very diverse languages and social organisations. Following Jacques Cartier's exploration in 1534 and Samuel de Champlain's founding of Quebec City in 1608, France established the colony of New France, based on the fur trade and Catholic evangelisation, before ceding it to Great Britain at the end of the Seven Years' War.
Milestones
1608
Founding of Quebec City
Samuel de Champlain founds Quebec City, the first lasting permanent settlement of New France.
February 10, 1763
Treaty of Paris
At the end of the Seven Years' War, France cedes New France to Great Britain, except for Saint Pierre and Miquelon.