Paleo-Amerindians, whose presence in Quebec can be traced back 10,000 years, preceded the
Algonquian and
Iroquoian aboriginal peoples, with whom the Europeans first made contact in the 16th century.
Some 8,500 years ago, the south of Quebec became habitable as it grew warmer. The first peoples began to immigrate on what is today the
Province of Quebec. They were the ancestors of today's
Algonquian and
Iroquoian peoples.
15th century
1492 - For the Queen of Castile (later, Spain),
Christopher Columbus crosses the Atlantic Ocean.
1497 -
John Cabot reaches the island of Newfoundland, which he claims for England.
Jacques Cartier is born on Dec. 31st 1491.