This timeline of the history of Toronto documents all events that occurred in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, including historical events in the former cities of East York, Etobicoke, North York, Toronto, Scarborough, and York. Events date back to the early-17th century and continue until the present in chronological order. The timeline also includes events taken place in municipalities bordering Toronto.__TOC__In this timeline, the name Toronto refers to Old Toronto in events listed before 1998. Pre-founding of Toronto
Year Date Events Pre-European 1450s Several hundred Wyandot (Huron) live in about 21 longhouses within a fortified village located in what is now North Toronto (Castlefield Avenue, just west of Avenue Road). A large Huron-Wendat village is located on a rise of land overlooking Black Creek. 17th century 1615 Étienne Brûlé, with 12 Huron scouts, arrives at the mouth of the Humber River on the shores of Lake Ontario as the first European to set foot in the vicinity now known as Toronto. 1650s–1700 Teiaiagon Seneca village exists on the bank of the Humber at today's Baby Point neighbourhood1660sGanatsekwyagon (Bead Hill) Seneca village exists on the bank of the lower Rouge River. 18th century 1720 A magasin royal (fur trading post), known as Fort Douville, is established near the former site of Teiaiagon. 1750 Fort Rouillé is established. 1759 Fort Rouillé is destroyed by its garrison. 1787 The Toronto Purchase occurs. 1791 The lands of Etobicoke, York, and Scarborough are surveyed in preparation for settlement. 1792 Joseph Bouchette is sent to Upper Canada to help survey the shores of Lake Ontario and produce maps. 1793 Fort York is established. August 26 York (Upper Canada) is incorporated as a township. 1795 Etobicoke is named by John Graves Simcoe 1796 Scarborough is named by Elizabeth Simcoe. 1797 June 1 The first session of the parliament of York is held.
19th century Year Date Events 1803 St. Lawrence Market public market is established 1806 Lambton Mills is incorporated as a village. 1813 April 27 The Battle of York occurs. July Second looting of York by American forces 1827 March 15 King's College (now University of Toronto) is established. 1829 June 3 The York General Hospital is opened as the first public hospital in York. 1830 The York Mechanics' Institute is established. 1832 The first post office of Scarborough is opened in Scarborough Village. 1834 March 6 The City of Toronto is incorporated, replacing the township of York. 1837 December 7 The Battle of Montgomery's Tavern occurs. 1839 or 1840 The first Catholic school in Toronto is opened.1839DecemberSt. James Church becomes the cathedral church of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. 1841 December 28 Several Toronto streets and stores illuminated by gas as a regular service for the first time. 1844 The Globe is established. 1846 December 19 First telegraph message transmitted from Toronto.1847 Wave of over 30,000 Irish Immigrants arrive in Toronto to escape the famine in Ireland. 1849 April 7 The first Great Fire of Toronto occurs. May 30 King's College is renamed as the University of Toronto. The Williams Omnibus Bus Line is established as the first public transit system in Toronto. 1850 January 1 Etobicoke is incorporated as a township. Scarborough is incorporated as a township. York (Canada West) is incorporated as a township. 1853 May 16 First railway (Ontario, Simcoe and Huron) begins operation from Bay and Front St. depot. Yorkville is incorporated as a village. 1856 October 27 The first passenger rail service between Toronto and Montreal begins. The Armstrong, Beere and Hime panorama is created. 1858 April 13 The Toronto Islands sand formation modified by a storm. The first Union Station is opened just west of York and Front Streets1861 September 11 Toronto Street Railway is established. October 25 The Toronto Stock Exchange is formed. 1869 Eaton's is established. 1872 The Toronto Mail is established. 1873 July 1 The second Union Station is opened. 1874 August 19 Establishment of an official fire department is approved by the city council. 1875 March 1 Hospital for Sick Children opens at its original site. September 26 The Jubilee Riots occur. The Metropolitan Street Railway is established. 1879 June 8 Toronto's first telephone book published. September 5 The first Canadian National Exhibition (then known as the Toronto Industrial Exhibition) is held. 1883 September 25 Toronto Electric Light Company is established.1884March 6 The Toronto Public Library officially opens following approval in 1883. Brockton Village is annexed into Toronto. 1887 The Toronto Empire is established. 1889 March 28Parkdale is annexed into Toronto. 1890 The Toronto and Mimico Electric Railway and Light Company is established. Toronto Railway is established. 1892 November 3 The Evening Star is established. The Toronto and Scarboro' Electric Railway, Light and Power Company is established. 1893 April 4 Queen's Park and the Ontario Legislative Building opens. 1894 May 17 The University Avenue Armoury opens. June 14 Massey Hall opens in 1894, holding its first concert on June 14. Toronto Suburban Railway is established. The Toronto Mail and Toronto Empire merge to create The Mail and Empire 1896 August 31 The first motion picture in Toronto is screened at Robinson's Musee at 81 Yonge Street. December 31 All toll gates are abolished in York County. 1897 September 26 Temple Building opens at Bay Street and Richmond Street as the tallest office building in Canada at the time. 1899 September 18 The Old City Hall opens.
20th century