John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto): An Italian navigator commissioned by King Henry VII of England, landed in Atlantic Canada (Newfoundland) in 1497, establishing the first British claim.
Jacques Cartier: Made three voyages for France between 1534 and 1542, exploring the St. Lawrence River. He heard the Huron-Iroquois word 'kanata' (meaning 'village' or 'settlement') and began applying 'Canada' to the territory.
Samuel de Champlain: The 'Father of New France', explored the St. Lawrence and founded the first permanent European settlement at Quebec City in 1608.
The Struggle for North America
Fur Trade & The Hudson's Bay Company (HBC): Founded in 1670 by King Charles II, granted exclusive trading rights across Rupert's Land.
Battle of the Plains of Abraham (1759): British troops under General James Wolfe defeated French forces under the Marquis de Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham at Quebec City. Both generals were mortally wounded. The battle led to British control of Canada.
The Quebec Act of 1774: In a visionary act of conciliation, British Parliament granted French Catholics freedom of worship, restored French civil law for private property disputes, and retained British criminal law.