This is a timeline of the history of

Calgary Calgary () is a major city in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806 making it the third-largest city and fifth-largest metropolitan area in C ...

, Alberta, Canada.

18th century

*1787 –

Cartographer Cartography (; from , 'papyrus, sheet of paper, map'; and , 'write') is the study and practice of making and using maps. Combining science, aesthetics and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality (or an imagined reality) can ...

David Thompson spent the winter with a band of Peigan encamped along the

Bow River The headwaters of the Bow River in Alberta, Canada, start at the Bow Glacier and Bow Lake (Alberta), Bow Lake in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, Canadian Rocky Mountains. The glacial stream that feeds Bow Lake (Alberta), Bow Lake ...

. He was the first recorded European to visit the area.

19th century

*1870 – The future site of Calgary becomes part of Canada and of the

North-West Territories The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada. At a land area of approximately and a 2021 census population of 41,070, it is the second-largest and the most populous of the three territories in Northern Canada. Its estimated pop ...

. *1873 –

John Glenn John Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18, 1921 – December 8, 2016) was an American Marine Corps aviator, astronaut, businessman, and politician. He was the third American in space and the first to orbit the Earth, circling it three times in 1 ...

was the first documented European settler in the Calgary area. *1875 – Originally named Fort Brisebois, after NWMP officer Éphrem-A. Brisebois, it was renamed

Fort Calgary Fort Calgary was a North-West Mounted Police outpost at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers in present-day Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Originally named Fort Brisebois, after the outpost's first commander, the outpost was renamed Fort Calga ...

by Colonel

James Macleod Lieutenant-Colonel James Farquharson Macleod (c. September 25, 1836 – September 5, 1894), born in Drynoch, Isle of Skye, Scotland, was a militia officer, lawyer, North-West Mounted Police officer, magistrate, judge, and politician in Albe ...

. *1877 –

Treaty 7 Treaty 7 is an agreement between the Crown and several, mainly Blackfoot, First Nation band governments in what is today the southern portion of Alberta. The idea of developing treaties for Blackfoot lands was brought to Blackfoot chief Cro ...

is signed, and title to the Fort Calgary area is ceded to the Crown. *1882 - First

sawmill A sawmill (saw mill, saw-mill) or lumber mill is a facility where logging, logs are cut into lumber. Modern sawmills use a motorized saw to cut logs lengthwise to make long pieces, and crosswise to length depending on standard or custom sizes ...

on the

. *1883 – The

Canadian Pacific Railway The Canadian Pacific Railway () , also known simply as CPR or Canadian Pacific and formerly as CP Rail (1968–1996), is a Canadian Class I railway incorporated in 1881. The railway is owned by Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Canadian Pacific Ka ...

reached the area and a

rail station A train station, railroad station, or railway station is a railway facility where trains stop to load or unload passengers, freight, or both. It generally consists of at least one platform, one track, and a station building providing such ...

was constructed. *1884 – Calgary was officially incorporated as a town and elected its first mayor, George Murdoch. *1885 –

Calgary Police Service Calgary Police Service (CPS; ) is the municipal police service of the City of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is the largest municipal police service in Alberta and third largest municipal force in Canada behind the Toronto Police Service and the Mo ...

established. *1886 – The

Calgary Fire of 1886 The Calgary Fire of 1886, also known as the Great Calgary Fire of 1886, was a conflagration that burned in the Canadian city of Calgary on Sunday, November 7, 1886. The fire began at the rear wall of the local flour and feed store, and spread th ...

. *1888 –

Anglican Diocese of Calgary The Anglican Diocese of Calgary is a diocese of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Northern Lights of the Anglican Church of Canada, located in the southern part of the civil province of Alberta. It was established in 1888. The diocesan boundar ...

established. *1891 –

Calgary and Edmonton Railway The Calgary and Edmonton Railway (C&E) was an early pioneer railway in what was then the Northwest Territories, now Alberta, Canada. It was laid out from the town of Calgary to a location near Edmonton, at the site of the future town and city of ...

opened. *1894 – It was incorporated as "The City of Calgary" in what was then the

. *1900 –

Downtown East Village, Calgary Downtown East Village more commonly known as simply East Village, is a mixed-use neighbourhood within the eastern portions of downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is contained within the city's Rivers District. Containing the earliest-settled lan ...

established.

20th century

*1910 – Parkdale is annexed to the City of Calgary. *1910 - the 103rd Calgary Rifles is created. *1912 – The

Calgary Stampede The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, fair, exhibition, and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year a ...

is held for the first time. *1915–18 – The

Mewata Armouries Mewata Armoury is a Canadian Forces reserve Armory (military), armoury in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. ''Mewata'' ( is derived from the Cree language, Cree word (), meaning "Oh, be joyful". The building was built between 1915 and 1918 for an ori ...

are constructed. *1917 - Calgary became first city in Canada to use a form of

proportional representation Proportional representation (PR) refers to any electoral system under which subgroups of an electorate are reflected proportionately in the elected body. The concept applies mainly to political divisions (Political party, political parties) amon ...

(

single transferable voting The single transferable vote (STV) or proportional-ranked choice voting (P-RCV) is a multi-winner electoral system in which each voter casts a single vote in the form of a ranked ballot. Voters have the option to rank candidates, and their vo ...

) to elect its city councillors. The mayor and other single-person posts were filled using

instant-runoff voting Instant-runoff voting (IRV; ranked-choice voting (RCV), preferential voting, alternative vote) is a single-winner ranked voting election system where Sequential loser method, one or more eliminations are used to simulate Runoff (election), ...

Hannah Gale Hannah "Annie" Elizabeth Rolinson Gale (December 29, 1876 – August 7, 1970) was a British-born Canadian politician who was one of the first women to hold an elected political position in Canada. She served as an Alderman on Calgary City Counci ...

, Calgary's first female councillor, elected. STV in use until 1961, then again in 1971. *1919 - The Victory Stampede was Calgary's second rodeo, honoring the end of the Great War. *1919 - One Big Union is formed at Calgary. *1919 - General strike takes place in Calgary. related to the longer

Winnipeg general strike The Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 was one of the most famous and influential strikes in Canadian history. For six weeks, May 15 to June 26, more than 30,000 strikers brought economic activity to a standstill in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which at the ...

. *1920 - The 103rd Rifles is reorganized as The Calgary Regiment. *1921 - Calgary filled its two House of Commons seats with Labour men -

William Irvine (Canadian politician) William Irvine (April 19, 1885 – October 26, 1962) was a Canadian politician, journalist, and clergyman. He served in the House of Commons of Canada on three occasions, as a representative of Labour, the United Farmers of Alberta, and the Co-o ...

and

Joseph Tweed Shaw Joseph Tweed Shaw (August 30, 1883 – July 12, 1944) was a Canadian politician. He served in the House of Commons of Canada from 1921 to 1925 as an independent Labour Member of Parliament (MP), and later became an MLA and leader of the Alber ...

. *1923 – The Calgary Stampede held for the third time and annually since then. *1924 -

The Calgary Highlanders The Calgary Highlanders (10th Canadians) is a Canadian Army Primary Reserve infantry regiment, headquartered at Mewata Armouries in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The regiment is a part-time reserve unit, under the command of 41 Canadian Brigade Gr ...

split from the Calgary Regiment to become its own regiment. *1926 - 1926 Alberta election. Calgary MLAs elected using

in city-wide district. STV in use in Calgary until 1956. *1932 -

Co-operative Commonwealth Federation The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF; , FCC) was a federal democratic socialism, democratic socialistThe following sources describe the CCF as a democratic socialist political party: * * * * * * and social democracy, social-democ ...

party formed at meeting in Calgary. *1932–33 – The Glenmore Dam is constructed. *1945 - The current

Calgary Stampeders The Calgary Stampeders are a professional Canadian football team based in Calgary, Alberta. The Stampeders compete in the West Division (CFL), West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The club plays its home games at McMahon Stadium a ...

of the Canadian Football League begin play. *1947 –

Stampede Wrestling Stampede Wrestling was a Canadian professional wrestling promotion based in Calgary, Alberta. For nearly 50 years, it was one of the main promotions in western Canada and the Canadian Prairies. Originally established by Stu Hart in 1948, the prom ...

established. *1948 - The Calgary Regiment renamed

The King's Own Calgary Regiment The King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC), colloquially known as The King's Own, is a Royal Canadian Armoured Corps cavalry regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces. Headquartered at Mewata Armoury in Calgary, Alberta, the King's Own is a part-time Prim ...

*1955 - last provincial election where Calgary MLAs elected through STV. no CCF or NDP MLA elected in Calgary under

first-past-the-post voting First-past-the-post (FPTP)—also called choose-one, first-preference plurality (FPP), or simply plurality—is a single-winner voting rule. Voters mark one candidate as their favorite, or first-preference, and the candidate with more first- ...

until 1986. *1967 – Construction of the Husky Tower started. Opened to the public on June 30, 1968. *1970 – First +15 enclosed pedestrian walkway constructed downtown. *1971 - last election where Calgary city councillors elected through

, and mayor through

*1980 - The

NHL The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

begin play after relocating from Atlanta. *1984 – Suncor Energy Centre completed construction and becomes the new tallest building in Calgary. *1988 – Calgary hosts the

1988 Winter Olympics The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games () and commonly known as Calgary 1988 were a multi-sport event held from February 13 to 28, 1988, with Calgary, Calgary, Alberta as the main host city. This marks the m ...

. *1989 – Bankers Hall-East completed construction. *1989 – The Flames win the

Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...

, the only time a visiting team has won the Stanley Cup in Montreal. *1992 –

Stephen Avenue Stephen Avenue is a major pedestrian mall in downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The mall is the portion of 8 Avenue SW between 4 Street SW and 1 Street SE. It is open to vehicles only from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The street is known fo ...

is designated as a

National Historic Site of Canada National Historic Sites of Canada () are places that have been designated by the federal Minister of the Environment on the advice of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC), as being of national historic significance. Parks C ...

. *1996 –

moves its

head office Headquarters (often referred to as HQ) notes the location where most or all of the important functions of an organization are coordinated. The term is used in a wide variety of situations, including private sector corporations, non-profits, mil ...

from Montreal to Calgary. *1997 – Calgary Declaration *1999 – Hub Oil explosion *2000 – Bankers Hall-West is completed 11 years after its twin.

21st century

*2002 – J26 G8 Protests *2007 – City surpasses 1,000,000 residents. *2010 – After 26 years, the Suncor Energy Centre is surpassed by The Bow as tallest building in Calgary. *2011 – Eighth Avenue Place I completed construction. *2013 – Widespread flooding across southern Alberta forces the evacuation of 75,000 Calgary residents. *2018 – Brookfield Place East is completed and becomes the new tallest building in Calgary.

List of riots and civil unrest in Calgary

The following is a timeline of riots and civil unrest in

, Alberta. Since its incorporation as a town in 1884, like other cities, Calgary has had to deal with a variety of violence. Calgary has been credited with maintaining relative civility during duress. The

Great Depression in Canada The worldwide Great Depression of the early 1930s was a social and economic shock that left millions of Canadians unemployed, hungry and often homeless. Few countries were affected as severely as Canada during what became known as the "Dirty Thirt ...

has received particular attention from

sociologists This list of sociologists includes people who have made notable contributions to sociological theory or to research in one or more areas of sociology. A * Peter Abell, British sociologist * Andrew Abbott, American sociologist * Margaret ...

and historians, including Thomas Thorner and Neil Watson who wrote, "There is little question that Calgary experienced its share of civil strife during the Depression. Battles between police and the single unemployed men, full scale riots and threats to blow up public buildings appear to have been almost annual events." According to Stephen Graham, a Professor of Human Geography at

Durham University Durham University (legally the University of Durham) is a collegiate university, collegiate public university, public research university in Durham, England, founded by an Act of Parliament (UK), Act of Parliament in 1832 and incorporated by r ...

, recent events have seen the City of Calgary change their tactics towards civil unrest activities such as protests.Graham, S. (2004) ''Cities, War, and Terrorism: Towards an Urban Geopolitics.'' Blackwell Publishing. p 223.

Events

List of localities annexed

Through its various annexations, the following localities are now in Calgary. *

Academy An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of tertiary education. The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, founded approximately 386 BC at Akademia, a sanctuary of Athena, the go ...

* Albert Park * Altadore *Barlow *Barlow Junction *

Beddington Beddington is a suburban settlement in the London Borough of Sutton on the boundary with the London Borough of Croydon. Beddington is formed from a village of the same name which until early the 20th century still included land which became ...

* Bel-Aire * Bowness * Brentwood *Brickburn * Bridgeland *

Britannia The image of Britannia () is the national personification of United Kingdom, Britain as a helmeted female warrior holding a trident and shield. An image first used by the Romans in classical antiquity, the Latin was the name variously appli ...

Calgary International Airport Calgary International Airport , branded as YYC Calgary International Airport, is an international airport that serves the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is located approximately northeast of downtown and covers an area of 20.82 square ...

* Cambrian Heights *Camp Sarcee *

Capitol Hill Capitol Hill is a neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., neighborhood in Washington, D.C., located in both the Northeast, Washington, D.C., Northeast and Southeast, Washington, D.C., Southeast quadrants. It is bounded by 14th Street SE & NE, F S ...

* Charleswood * Collingwood * Eagle Ridge * Forest Lawn *

Glamorgan Glamorgan (), or sometimes Glamorganshire ( or ), was Historic counties of Wales, one of the thirteen counties of Wales that existed from 1536 until their abolishment in 1974. It is located in the South Wales, south of Wales. Originally an ea ...

* Glenbrook *

Glengarry The Glengarry bonnet is a traditional Scots cap made of thick-milled woollen material, decorated with a toorie on top, frequently a rosette cockade on the left side, and ribbons hanging behind. It is normally worn as part of Scottish military ...

* Haysboro *Heritage Woods Subdivision * Hillhurst *Hubalta *

Inglewood Inglewood may refer to: Places Australia *Inglewood, Queensland * Shire of Inglewood, Queensland, a former local government area *Inglewood, South Australia *Inglewood, Victoria *Inglewood, Western Australia Canada * Inglewood, Ontario *Inglewoo ...

*Keith *

Killarney Killarney ( ; , meaning 'church of sloes') is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The town is on the northeastern shore of Lough Leane, part of Killarney National Park, and is home to St Mary's Cathedral, Killar ...

* Kingsland *

Lincoln Park Lincoln Park is a park along Lake Michigan on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. Named after US president Abraham Lincoln, it is the city's largest public park and stretches for from Grand Avenue (500 N), on the south, to near Ardmore Avenu ...

Lynnwood Lynnwood is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. The city is part of the Seattle metropolitan area and is located north of Seattle and south of Everett, near the junction of Interstate 5 and Interstate 405. It is the four ...

Manchester Manchester () is a city and the metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It had an estimated population of in . Greater Manchester is the third-most populous metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, with a population of 2.92&nbs ...

Midnapore Medinipur or Midnapore is a city known for its history in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarters of the West Medinipur district. It is situated on the banks of the Kangsabati River (variously known as ''Kasai'' and ''Cossye''). ...

* Montgomery *

Mount Royal Mount Royal (, ) is a mountain in the city of Montreal, immediately west of Downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The city's name is derived from the mountain's name. The mountain is part of the Monteregian Hills situated between the Laurentian M ...

*Mount View * North Haven * Ogden * Parkdale *Princes Island *

Renfrew Renfrew (; ; ) is a town west of Glasgow in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. It is the historic county town of Renfrewshire. Called the "Cradle of the Royal Stewarts" for its early link with Scotland's former royal house, Renfrew gaine ...

Rideau Park Rideau Park is a residential neighbourhood in southwest Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The name Rideau means curtain in the French Language. The neighbourhood is bounded on the west by 111 Street, on the east by Calgary Trail, on the north by Whit ...

* Rosscarrock * Roxboro *Sarcee Junction * Shepard * Silver Springs *Simons Valley * Southwood * Spruce Cliff *

Spruce Meadows Spruce Meadows is a multi-purpose sports facility near Calgary, Alberta built by the Southern family which opened in 1975. The facility contains an equestrian show jumping complex that comprises . The current president and CEO of Spruce Me ...

* St. Andrews Heights *St. Georges Heights *St. George's Island *St. Patrick's Island *

Stanley Park Stanley Park is a public park in British Columbia, Canada, that makes up the northwestern half of Vancouver's Downtown Vancouver, Downtown peninsula, surrounded by waters of Burrard Inlet and English Bay, Vancouver, English Bay. The park bor ...

* Sunalta * Thorncliffe *Turner * Tuxedo Park *

Windsor Park The National Football Stadium at Windsor Park (officially the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park for sponsorship reasons), or the National Football Stadium, also known as Windsor Park is a association football, football stadium in B ...

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Calgary History, Timeline Of History of Calgary Timelines of cities in Canada