1980's Canada

By crispyowl
  • Terry Fox begins his Marathon of Hope run across Canada in support of cancer research

    Terry Fox begins his Marathon of Hope run across Canada in support of cancer research

    Terry Fox begins his Marathon of Hope run across Canada in support of cancer research
  • "O Canada" becomes the official national anthem

    "O Canada" becomes the official national anthem

  • Due to a return of his cancer Terry Fox curtails his run

    Due to a return of his cancer Terry Fox curtails his run

  • Gasoline and diesel are sold by the litre rather than the gallon.

    Gasoline and diesel are sold by the litre rather than the gallon.

  • Named a peak after Terry Fox

    Named a peak after Terry Fox

    The government of British Columbia named a 2,639-metre (8,658 foot) peak in the Rocky Mountains after Terry Fox.
  • The Canadarm is first deployed aboard the Space Shuttle

    The Canadarm is first deployed aboard the Space Shuttle

  • First reported cases of AIDS in Canada

    First reported cases of AIDS in Canada

  • The first drawing of Lotto 6/49 occurs

    The first drawing of Lotto 6/49 occurs

    jackpot of $500,000 ($1092896.17 today). Winning numbers are 03, 11, 12, 14, 41, 43, bonus 13
  • Anik 1, Canada's first communications satellite, is retired

    Anik 1, Canada's first communications satellite, is retired

    10 years of service
  • The metric system of weights and measures is officially adopted

    The metric system of weights and measures is officially adopted

    The metric system of weights and measures is officially adopted by the federal government although Imperial units are still used.
  • Pay television begins operating in Canada

    Pay television begins operating in Canada

  • Canada's first female Supreme Court justice

    Canada's first female Supreme Court justice

    Bertha Wilson is appointed Canada's first female Supreme Court justice
  • Canada's first female Governor General

    Canada's first female Governor General

    Jeanne Sauvé is appointed Canada's first female Governor General
  • Pierre Trudeau announces he will retire

    Pierre Trudeau announces he will retire

    Pierre Trudeau announces he will retire as soon as the Liberal Party of Canada can elect another leader
  • MuchMusic first airs

    MuchMusic first airs

  • The Sports Network (TSN) first airs.

    The Sports Network (TSN) first airs.

  • First Canadian in space

    First Canadian in space

    • Marc Garneau becomes the first Canadian in space, aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger.
  • The Canadian Encyclopedia is launched

    The Canadian Encyclopedia is launched

  • First black lieutenant-governer of ON

    First black lieutenant-governer of ON

    Lincoln Alexander becomes the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, the first Black person to hold a vice regal position in Canadian history
  • The worst airplane accident in Canadian history

    The worst airplane accident in Canadian history

    The worst airplane accident in Canadian history occurs when Arrow Air Flight 1285 crashes on take-off from Gander International Airport. 256 people are killed.

  • The Canadian dollar hits an all time low

    The Canadian dollar hits an all time low of 70.2 U.S. cents on international money markets

  • MPs elect the Speaker by secret ballot for the first time.

  • Canada receives a United Nations award for sheltering refugees

    Canada receives a United Nations award for sheltering refugees

  • Frobisher Bay changes its name to Iqaluit.

  • Canada introduces a $1 coin

    Canada introduces a $1 coin

    Canada introduces a $1 coin, commonly called loonie; the dollar bill is withdrawn in 1989.

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site

    Quebec City becomes the first city in North America to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Several new Canadian specialty channels are licensed

    Several new Canadian specialty channels are licensed: YTV, VisionTV, CBC Newsworld, The Weather Network/MeteoMedia, and one pay-television channel: The Family Channel
  • Canada's abortion laws are repealed by the Supreme Court.

    Canada's abortion laws are repealed by the Supreme Court.

  • Channels now signed on

    Several new cable channels sign-on: YTV, VisionTV, Family, WeatherNow, MétéoMédia, TV5 Québec Canada

  • Prime Minister Brian Mulroney officially apologizes

    Prime Minister Brian Mulroney officially apologizes for the World War II internment of Japanese Canadians

  • The Canadian-American Free Trade Agreement

    The Canadian-American Free Trade Agreement comes into effect

  • The Canadian Space Agency is created

  • Blackout

    Blackout

    2:44 AM ET: A solar coronal mass ejection causes a blackout across all of Quebec, as it hits the Hydro-Québec power grid, affecting 6 million people for more than 9 hours
  • Cable television network CBC Newsworld is launched.

    Cable television network CBC Newsworld is launched.