When the Great Famine struck Ireland in the late 1840s, hundreds of thousands of Irish people left their homes to migrate to British North America and the United States, bringing with them bitter memories of death, disease, suffering and evictions. The Fenian Raids, Historica Canada education guide.

Today in Canadian History

Mar 14
Goose in Flight (Painting)
1977

Death of Benjamin Chee Chee

Benjamin Chee Chee took his own life at Ottawa just as his elegant art was beginning to gain international recognition.
Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's First Prime Minister
1879

National Policy Takes Effect

Sir John A. Macdonald's National Policy of protective tariffs came into effect with Tilley's Tariff, averaging 25 per cent on US goods.

1916

Saskatchewan Women Get Vote

Saskatchewan women won the rights to vote and to hold provincial office.
1996

CRTC Demands Violence Rating

The CRTC ruled that television broadcasters must devise a system to rate the levels of violence in programs.
1899

Birth of Kenneth Irving

Industrialist Kenneth Colin Irving was born at Buctouche, NB.

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1830

Birth of Abigail Becker

Abigail Becker, "The Heroine of Long Point," was born in Frontenac County, UC.
1932

Birth of Norval Morrisseau

Norval Morrisseau, self-taught artist of Ojibwa ancestry, was born at Sand Point IR, Ont.
1802

Parliamentary Library Established

The Parliamentary Library of Lower Canada was established when clerk Samuel Phillips was placed in charge of the House's entire holdings, about 25 books.
1944

Ontario Passes Racial Discrimination Act

Ontario was the first province to respond to social change when it passed the Racial Discrimination Act of 1944. This landmark legislation effectively prohibited the publication and display of any symbol, sign, or notice that expressed ethnic, racial, or religious discrimination. It was followed by other sweeping legislation.

2017

Death of Arleene Johnson

Baseball player Arleene ‘’The Iron Lady’’ Johnson, who played in the All-American Girls Professionnal Baseball League, died at the age of 93. She is a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. (see also Canadians in Baseball: The ‘’Lost Tribe’’.)

2025

Mark Carney Sworn in as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister

After winning the leadership of the federal Liberal Party with more than 85 per cent of the vote on 9 March, former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s 24th prime minister. Justin Trudeau’s resignation, announced on 6 January, became offical. Facing a trade war with the US and threats of annexation from US president Donald Trump, Carney took office with a much smaller, more streamlined cabinet and a “very targeted” focus on “action.”
Pier 21
timeline

Immigration

The movement of nationals of one country into another for the purpose of resettlement is central to Canadian history. This timeline charts significant migrations that have shaped our nation.

Explore the timeline

Educator Resources

Find resources for teachers and students here. Find resources

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