October 9, 1823
Black rights activist Mary Ann Shadd is born in Wilmington, Delaware, US.
March 24, 1853
Black activist Mary Ann Shadd begins publishing her newspaper, the Provincial Freeman. That makes her the first woman publisher in Canada and the first Black woman to publish a newspaper in North America.
1883
Mary Ann Shadd earns a law degree from Howard University School of Law.
July 4, 1886
Tom Longboat, Indigenous runner and Canada’s top marathoner ever, is born in Ohsweken, Ontario, on the Six Nations Reserve near Brantford. His Onondaga name is Gagwé:geh.
June 5, 1893
Black rights activist Mary Ann Shadd dies in Washington, D.C., of stomach cancer. She is the first woman publisher in Canada and the first Black woman to publish a newspaper in North America.
July 10, 1896
Thérèse Casgrain is born in Montreal, Quebec. She is the first woman to head a political party in Canada.
March 27, 1905
Elsie MacGill, world’s first female aeronautical engineer, is born in Vancouver, British Columbia.
May 22, 1905
Tom Longboat, an Indigenous runner who is Canada’s best marathoner ever, runs his first race. He finishes second in a race in Caledonia, Ontario.
October 18, 1906
Tom Longboat, Indigenous runner and Canada’s top marathoner ever, wins the Around the Bay Road Race in Hamilton, Ontario.
April 16, 1907
J. Armand Bombardier, inventor of the Ski-Doo, is born in Valcourt, Quebec.
April 19, 1907
Tom Longboat, Canada’s best marathoner ever, wins the Boston Marathon in the record time of 2 hours, 24 minutes and 24 seconds. He’s the first Indigenous runner to win the race.
February 6, 1909
Tom Longboat, Indigenous runner and Canada’s top marathoner ever, wins the title of World Professional Marathon Champion.
July 6, 1914
Black rights activist Viola Desmond is born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. You can see her now on the Canadian $10 bill.
February 17, 1916
Tom Longboat, Indigenous runner and Canada’s top marathoner ever, signs up to fight in World War I. He becomes a dispatch runner in France.
1921
Thérèse Casgrain becomes one of the founding members of the Provincial Franchise Committee for women’s suffrage.
September 14, 1921
Jim Egan, gay rights activist, is born in Toronto.
1922
J. Armand Bombardier builds his first snow vehicle.
1923
Elsie MacGill becomes the first woman admitted to the electrical engineering program at the University of Toronto’s School of Practical Science.
1926
J. Armand Bombardier opens his own garage, Garage Bombardier.
1927
Elsie MacGill is the first woman in Canada to graduate with a degree in electrical engineering.
1929
Elsie MacGill becomes the world’s first woman to receive her master’s degree in aeronautical engineering.
1930
Viola Desmond opens the Desmond School of Beauty Culture, the first beautician school in Canada to train Black women and women of colour and expands her business across Nova Scotia.
October 15, 1935
Willie O’Ree, first Black player in the National Hockey League, is born in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He is the first Black player in the National Hockey League.
March 24, 1936
David Suzuki is born in Vancouver, British Columbia. He’s a well-known TV show host and Canada’s most famous environmentalist.
1937
Viola Desmond opens her own hair salon, Vi’s Studio of Beauty Culture, in Halifax.
1938
Elsie MacGill becomes the first woman to be a member of the Engineering Institute of Canada.
October 31, 1939
Maple Leaf II trainer takes its first test flight. It is designed by Elsie MacGill and is the first aircraft designed and produced by a woman.
1942
Elsie MacGill is dubbed the “Queen of the Hurricanes” by the American True Comics series.
July 10, 1942
J. Armand Bombardier, inventor of the Ski-Doo, founds his company, L’Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée or Bombardier Snowmobile Limited.
1946
Elsie MacGill becomes the first woman technical advisor to the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization.
November 8, 1946
Black rights activist Viola Desmond is arrested at the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.
December 11, 1946
Thérèse Casgrain joins the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF). (It became the New Democratic Party.) In less than five years, Thérèse is elected to lead the Quebec wing of the CCF. That makes her the first woman to head a political party in Canada.
1947
L’Auto-Neige Bombardier produced produces 1,000 vehicles to use as winter school buses.
January 9, 1949
Tom Longboat, Indigenous runner and Canada’s top marathoner ever, dies of pneumonia.
1951
The Tom Longboat Awards are set up to honour Indigenous athletes.
1951
Jim Egan has a series of articles about homosexuality published, the first of their kind to be published in Canada, making him the first person in Canada to write publicly from a LGBTQS+ point of view.
June 23, 1951
Thérèse Casgrain is elected to lead the Quebec wing of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. She is the first woman to head a political party in Canada.
1953
J. Armand Bombardier creates the Muskeg (“grassy bog” in Algonquian), an all-terrain vehicle that could travel over swamp, sand or snow.
1954
Segregation is legally ended in Nova Scotia.
1955
Tom Longboat becomes a member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
January 18, 1958
Willie O’Ree, the first Black player in the National Hockey League, takes part in his first game in the NHL. He played for the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens.
July 28, 1958
Terry Fox is born in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1959
J. Armand Bombardier launches the Ski-Doo snowmobile.
August 29, 1959
Chris Hadfield, Canada’s most famous astronaut, is born in Sarnia, Ontario.
March 10, 1960
First Nations people win equal voting rights. The federal election two years later is the first in which gender or ethnicity did not affect a person’ right to vote.
February 12, 1964
Bombardier Glacier in Antarctica is named after J. Armand Bombardier, inventor of the Ski-Doo.
February 18, 1964
J. Armand Bombardier, inventor of the Ski-Doo, dies in Sherbrooke, Quebec, at age 56.
1965
The J. Armand Bombardier Foundation is set up to fund projects that improve communities across Canada.
June 27, 1969
It becomes legal to be gay or lesbian in Canada.
October 7, 1970
Thérèse Casgrain is appointed to Canada’s Senate. She is the first woman to head a political party in Canada.
1971
The J. Armand Bombardier Museum opens. It is later renamed the Museum of Ingenuity J.A. Bombardier.
September 27, 1972
Athlete and mental health activist Clara Hughes is born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Clara is the only athlete in the world to win multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
1975
Elsie MacGill is awarded the Amelia Earhart Medal by the International Association of Women Airline Pilots.
1979
David Suzuki begins hosting the television show The Nature of Things with David Suzuki
October 17, 1979
Thérèse Casgrain receives the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case, the case that made it possible for women to sit in Canada’s Senate. Thérèse is the first woman to head a political party in Canada.
April 12, 1980
Hero and cancer research fundraiser Terry Fox begins the Marathon of Hope in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
September 1, 1980
Terry Fox has to end his run outside Thunder Bay, Ontario, after his cancer returns, this time in his lungs.
November 4, 1980
Elsie MacGill, world’s first female aeronautical engineer, dies in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.
December 18, 1980
Terry Fox is awarded the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s top athlete of the year. This is one of his favourite awards to receive because it showed that people recognized his athletic achievement.
February 1, 1981
Terry Fox reaches his goal of raising one dollar for every Canadian, as the Marathon of Hope fund hit to $24,170,000 with donations still coming in.
June 28, 1981
Terry Fox dies of metastatic osteogenic sarcoma in New Westminster, British Columbia.
August 29, 1981
Terry Fox is inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
September 13, 1981
The first Terry Fox Run is held. About 300 000 people across Canada raise $3.5 million to fight cancer.
November 3, 1981
Thérèse Casgrain dies in Montreal, Quebec. She is the first woman to head a political party in Canada.
1982
The Thérèse-F. Casgrain Foundation was founded for women’s advancement in Canada.
November 21, 1981
Gay rights activist Jim Egan is elected regional director of the Regional District of Comox-Strathcona, Electoral Area B. That makes him one of the first openly gay men to be elected to public office in Canada.
November 3, 1982
The Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award is created. In 2016 it’s renamed the Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement Award. She is the first woman to head a political party in Canada.
1983
Elsie MacGill is inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.
April 17, 1985
Canada Post issues a stamp featuring Thérèse Casgrain. She is the first woman to head a political party in Canada.
February 25, 1987
Jim Egan and Jack Nesbit apply for Jack to receive the spousal allowance benefit provided under the Old Age Security Act. The application is turned down one week later. This is the beginning of Jim’s biggest fight for rights for LGBTQ2S+ people.
1988
Canada’s prime minister Brian Mulroney apologizes to Japanese Canadians for their internment during World War II.
February 20, 1988
Athlete and mental-health activist Clara Hughes sees speed skater Gaétan Boucher compete at the Winter Olympics and is inspired to begin skating. Clara is the only athlete in the world to win multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
May 26, 1988
The Terry Fox Foundation is set up to raise and distribute money in Terry’s name for cancer research.
December 6, 1988
Jim Egan and Jack Nesbit appeal their gay rights case to the Federal Court of Canada. After many delays the appeal is refused on December 2, 1991. The case involves the spousal allowance benefit provided under eh Old Age Security Act and whether it applies to same-sex couples. Jim and Jack appealed twice more. Although the Supreme Court eventually rules against Jim and Jack, the Court admits the law discriminates against LGBTQ2S+ people. This is a big victory.
1990
David Suzuki and Tara Cullis found the David Suzuki Foundation.
August 1991
Clara Hughes wins a silver medal in track cycling at the Pan American Games.
1992
J. Armand Bombardier is inducted into the Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame.
1992
Elsie MacGill is inducted into the Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame.
June 8, 1992
Chris Hadfield, Canada’s most famous astronaut, is accepted into the Canadian astronaut program by the Canadian Space Agency and becomes an astronaut.
1994
Mary Ann Shadd is designated a Person of National Historic Significance by the Government of Canada.
1995
Jim Egan and Jack Nesbit are the honorary grand marshals at the Toronto and Vancouver Pride Parades.
May 25, 1995
The Supreme Court rules against Jim Egan and Jack Nesbit’s request for equal rights for pensions for gay partners. But the Court admits that the law discriminated against LGBTQ2S+ people. This is a big victory.
May 28, 1995
Gay rights activist Jim Egan receives a national human rights award from the Lambda Foundation for Excellence.
November 12 to 20, 1995
Chris Hadfield, Canada’s most famous astronaut, makes his first space flight when he flies to Russia’s Mir space station. Chris is the only Canadian to have gone on a mission to Mir.
June 20, 1996
The Canadian government passes Bill C-33. It prohibits discrimination against gay people.
July 21, 1996
Athlete and mental health activist Clara Hughes wins a bronze medal in the road race event in cycling at the Summer Olympics. It is her first medal at her first Olympic games. She eventually wins a total of six medals at the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Clara is the only athlete in the world to win multiple medals at both Games.
1998
Willie O’Ree becomes the director of youth development for the NHL’s Diversity Task Force.
June 30, 1999
Terry Fox is voted Canada’s Greatest Hero in a national survey.
2000
The Six Nations Reserve holds the first annual Tom Longboat Run
March 9, 2000
Gay rights activist Jim Egan dies in Courtenay, British Columbia.
April 22, 2001
Chris Hadfield, Canada’s most famous astronaut, becomes the first Canadian to walk in space.
January 18, 2002
Willie O'Ree's number 22 jersey retired by the Boston Bruins. Willie O’Ree is the first Black player in the National Hockey League.
February 23, 2002
Athlete and mental-health activist Clara Hughes wins a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics Games in speed skating (5000 metres). It’s her first medal at the Winter Olympics. Clara is the only athlete in the world to win multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
March 11, 2005
Olympic athlete and mental-health activist Clara Hughes sets a Canadian record for 10,000 metres speed skating. Clara is the only athlete in the world to win multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
July 20, 2005
Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Canada. (Meet Jim Egan)
February 16, 2006
Athlete and mental-health activist Clara Hughes wins speed skating medals (silver in team pursuit) at the Winter Olympic Games. That makes Clara the only Olympian to win more than one medal at both the Summer Games and Winter Games.
February 25, 2006
Athlete and mental-health activist Clara Hughes wins a gold medal in the women’s 5,000-metre speed skating event at the Winter Olympic Games. Clara is the only athlete in the world to win multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
October 29, 2007
The Terry Fox Research Institute is founded.
January 16, 2008
Fredericton names its new sports complex Willie O’Ree Place. Willie O’Ree is the first Black player in the National Hockey League.
May 2, 2009
Black rights activist Mary Ann Shadd is honoured with a statue in Freedom Park in Chatham, Ontario. Mary Ann is the first woman publisher in Canada and the first Black woman to publish a newspaper in North America.
February 12, 2010
Athlete and mental-health activist Clara Hughes is the Canadian Olympic Team flag bearer at the opening ceremonies for the Winter Olympic Games in Calgary Alberta. Clara is the only athlete in the world to win multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
February 24, 2010
Athlete and mental-health activist Clara Hughes, wins an Olympic bronze medal in speed skating (5000 metres). Clara is the only athlete in the world to win multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
April 15, 2010
Black rights activist Viola Desmond is pardoned by Maryann Francis, the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.
November 15, 2010
Athlete and mental health activist, Clara Hughes becomes a member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. Clara is the only athlete in the world to win multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
2012
Elsie MacGill is inducted into the Women in Aviation International’s Pioneer Hall of Fame.
March 21, 2012
Terry Fox is the youngest person inducted into the Medical Hall of Fame.
December 5, 2012
Pauline Marois, the first female premier of Quebec, unveils a statue of Thérèse Casgrain and three other women who fought for women’s rights. Thérèse is the first woman to head a political party in Canada.
December 19, 2012
Chris Hadfield, Canada’s most famous astronaut, leaves for his third trip to space. It’s part of Expedition 34/35. He operates Canadarm2 and conducts many experiments.
December 24, 2012
Chris Hadfield, Canada’s most famous astronaut, releases the first song recorded in space, “Jewel in the Night.”
March 13, 2013
Chris Hadfield becomes the first Canadian commander of the International Space Station (ISS).
May 12, 2013
Chris Hadfield, Canada’s most famous astronaut, becomes the first person ever to record and broadcast a music video from space.
September 21, 2013
Terry Fox is inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame.
2014
Chris Hadfield’s name is added to the Wall of Honour at the Royal Military College of Canada.
September 27, 2014
Terry Fox is awarded the Order of the Sash by the Métis Nation British Columbia.
2015
Tom Longboat’s statue called Challenge and Triumph is unveiled. It was created by Mohawk artist David M. General.
June 2, 2015
Athlete and mental health activist Clara Hughes becomes an Honourary Witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Clara is the only athlete in the world to win multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
November 15, 2017
David Suzuki, Canada’s most famous environmentalist, and Black rights activist Viola Desmond each receive a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
November 15, 2017
The Canadian government announces the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations in honour of Elsie McGill, world’s first female aeronautical engineer.
2018
Viola Desmond appears on Canada’s ten-dollar bill. She is the first Canadian woman to appear alone on the front of a banknote.
June 12, 2018
Jim Egan is the subject of a Heritage Minute. It’s the first one with an LGBTQ2S+ theme.
November 12, 2018
Willie O’Ree, first Black player in the National Hockey League, is inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Builder category.
November 19, 2018
Black rights activist Viola Desmond appears on Canada’s ten-dollar bill. She is the first Canadian woman to appear alone on the front of a banknote.
2020
David Suzuki receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.
2021
Willie O’Ree is inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
May 12, 2022
Black rights activist Mary Ann Shadd is honoured with a statue at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario. Mary Ann is the first woman publisher in Canada and the first Black woman to publish a newspaper in North America.