|
|
1515 |
|
First Africans are brought to North America as slaves |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1605 |
|
First Recorded African in Canada Matthieu da Costa as a translator
between the French and the Micmac natives at Port Royal, Acadia
in 1605-06 |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1628 |
|
The first recorded slave purchase occurs in New France (now
Quebec). The purchase is of a young boy from Madagascar who is
given the name Olivier Le Jeune |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1685 |
|
Code Noir allows use of slaves in the colonies |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1701 |
|
Explorer and fur trader Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac brings several dozen slaves, African and aboriginal, from Montreal to build a fort at Detroit Black slaves work in the fur trade with their owners |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1709 |
|
Slavery becomes legal in New France |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1760 |
|
Britain takes control of New France - slavery continues |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1774 |
|
Loyalists both black and white migrate to Canada to claim
lands promised by Britain. Some Loyalists bring slaves with them
to Canada |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1775-1783 |
|
The American Revolution - African-Americans are encouraged to fight for Britain in return for freedom and land grants in Canada |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1783 |
|
Colonel Matthew Elliot, A United Empire Loyalist, brings 60 slaves to the Amherstburg area |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1786 |
|
The Underground Railroad is working to assist former slaves attempting to reach freedom in Northern States or Canada |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1790 |
|
The Imperial Statute allows settlers to bring slaves into Canada |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1793 |
|
Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe passes anti-slavery legislation. The Upper Canada Act Against Slaves allows slave owners to keep slaves but any slave who crosses into Canada will be free and the children of slaves will be free at age 25 |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1807 |
|
British parliament abolishes the Transatlantic Slave Trade but not slavery |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
1812-1814 |
|
The War of 1812 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
1819 |
|
Declaration by Attorney General of Upper Canada, John Beverley Robinson, that Blacks residing in Canada be free and protected by British law |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
1830-1865 |
|
Most active years of the Underground Railroad Movement |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1833 |
|
The British Imperial Act abolishes slavery in the colonies
Thorton and Lucie Blackburn escape slave catchers in Detroit and seek refuge in Sandwich
The colonial government refuses to extradite them and Canada is established as a safe haven for enslaved Africans |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1834 |
|
Formal enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation on August 1st |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
1837-1838 |
|
The Rebellion of 1837
African-Canadians (including Josiah Henson) take part as member of militia in defense of Canada
William Lyon Mackenzie complains that Black settlers are "extravagantly loyal" |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1848 |
|
The Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church built in Amherstburg by former slaves and free blacks |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1850 |
|
Fugitive Slave Act is passed in America which allows slave owners or their agents to capture fugitives
Many fugitive slaves and free Blacks flee to Canada to avoid capture
Mary Miles Bibb opens school for Blacks in Sandwich |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
1851 |
|
Mary Ann Shadd Cary sets up school for escaped slaves in the barracks in Windsor
The British Methodist Episcopal denomination organized by Rev. Willis Nazrey
Refugee Home Society is established to purchase land an assist fugitives |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1851-1853 |
|
Voice of the Fugitive newspaper published by Henry Bibb, and Mary Miles Bibb, in Sandwich |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1855 |
|
Robert Sutherland 1st Black lawyer |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
1860-1865 |
|
American Civil War – many African Canadians participate |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
1863 |
|
President Abraham Lincoln introduces the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in seceded states |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
1865 |
|
Lincoln is assassinated
December 18th the government of the United States passes the 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1887 |
|
James L. Dunn becomes the first African Canadian elected to Windsor Town Council |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1897 |
|
Robert L. Dunn, city councilor, runs for mayor, the first African Canadian to do so |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1914-1918 |
|
African-Canadians overcome opposition and serve in both segregated and non-segregated units overseas |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1917 |
|
No. 2 Construction Battalion establishes a recruiting station in Windsor
Citizens come to the aid of Black soldiers who are denied access to seating in a Windsor theatre |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1920 |
|
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) moves into Ontario |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1928 |
|
The Central or Coloured Citizens Association is formed in Windsor and fights discrimination |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
1931 |
|
The first annual 'Greatest Freedom Show on Earth' Emancipation Day celebration is organized by Walter Perry in Windsor |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1934 |
|
The Hour-A-Day Study Club is established in Windsor |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1944 |
|
Ontario passes the Racial Discrimination Act |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1951 |
|
Alton C. Parker becomes the first African Canadian to achieve the rank of Detective on a police force in Canada |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
1955 |
|
Canadian Pacific Railway starts to let blacks work as conductors. Previously only allowed to be porters |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
1960 |
|
Significant immigration from West Indies begins, primarily due to the lobbying of the Negro Citizenship Committee (Toronto) |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
1961 |
|
1st Ontario Human Rights Commissioner – Daniel G Hill
Windsor Black Coalition is founded |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
1962 |
|
City of Windsor Redevelopment of Area One - a large portion of the historic McDougall Street Corridor is expropriated |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1964 |
|
In Ontario, segregated schools are legally abolished |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1965 |
|
KKK said to be responsible for cross burnings in Amherstburg
One of the last segregated schools in Ontario, S.S. #11, closes in Colchester South |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1966 |
|
Annual Emancipation Day Celebrations cancelled due to Detroit Riots |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1968 |
|
Lincoln Alexander becomes Canada’s 1st Black Member of Parliament |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1969 |
|
The first annual Uncle Al’s Kids’ Party is held at Broadhead Park
Windsor's Patterson Collegiate institutes a Black Studies course |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1975 |
|
The North American Black Historical Museum is founded by Melvin Simpson in Amherstburg |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1984 |
|
Dr. Howard McCurdy serves as one of Windsor's Members of Parliament |
