Key Events in American and Canadian History
Early Canada
First Prime Minister
The first Prime Minister of Canada was Sir John A. Macdonald.
National Railroad
The national railroad was completed on November 7, 1885, connecting the eastern and western regions of Canada.
The Great Depression and World War II
Stock Market Crash of 1929
The stock market crash of October 29, 1929, marked the beginning of the Great Depression during the presidential term of Herbert C. Hoover.
Franklin D. Roosevelt and World War II
Franklin D. Roosevelt served as President during the Depression and World War II.
- Attack on Pearl Harbor: Japanese forces attacked US ships at Pearl Harbor on December 8, 1941, leading to the United States’ entry into World War II.
- End of World War II in Europe: World War II ended in Europe on May 7-8, 1945.
Post-War Era
- Canadian Independence: Canada was granted full independence through the Canada Act of 1982.
- Atomic Bombs and the Marshall Plan: The United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending World War II in Asia on September 2, 1945. The Marshall Plan provided aid for the reconstruction of European countries after the war.
Political Scandals and International Relations
The Watergate Affair
The Watergate scandal, a major political scandal in the US, was discovered by reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward of the Washington Post.
Greenland
Greenland is a large island northeast of Canada and belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark.
The Canadian Flag
The Canadian flag has three vertical sections: red, white, and red, with a maple leaf in the middle white strip.
The American Civil War
The Civil War (1861-1865)
The American Civil War was fought over the secession of the Confederate States from the United States. Eleven southern slave states declared their secession and formed the Confederacy, while the remaining 25 states supported the federal government (the Union). The war ended with the Confederacy’s surrender and the abolition of slavery.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, successfully led the country through the Civil War, preserving the Union, ending slavery, and promoting economic and financial modernization.
Confederation and Beyond
Confederation of Canada
The Confederation of Canada was established on July 1, 1867.
World War I and Beyond
- President Woodrow Wilson: US President Woodrow Wilson governed during and after World War I.
- Newfoundland Joins Canada: The last British colony to join the Canadian federation was Newfoundland.
- The Prohibition Era: The period from 1920 to 1933 in the United States was known as the Prohibition era.
The Cold War and Modern Times
The Cold War
The Cold War was a period of political struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Prominent Leaders
- William Lyon Mackenzie King: A famous liberal leader and Prime Minister of Canada.
- Ronald Reagan: The US president who was an actor before entering politics.
Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a free trade agreement between the US, Canada, and Mexico.