This Sunday, the city of Toronto will turn 182. And it’s never looked better.
And while we all love to complain about the city, deep down we love it all the same. If nothing else, we should certainly celebrate.
So in honour of Toronto’s birthday, we’ve rounded up the most notable moments in the city’s history…
March 6, 1834: Toronto is Born
The former town of York is renamed as Toronto to distinguish itself from New York. The original city boundaries included Bathurst Street to the west, Lot Street (now Queen Street) to the north, and Parliament Street to the east.
December 19, 1846: First Telegraph
The Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara Electro-Magnetic Telegraph Co. is formed in 1846. The very first telegraph message ever to be sent in Canada travels from Toronto to Hamilton.
May 30, 1849: University of Toronto is Formed
King’s College becomes the University of Toronto, which will become one of the most prestigious universities in Canada and the world.
October 25, 1861: Toronto Stock Exchange is Formed
Twenty-four men gathered at the Masonic Hall to create the Toronto Stock Exchange, which is now one of the largest stock exchanges in the world.
September 11, 1861: Toronto streetcar service begins
Toronto’s very first streetcar route begins its operation. Streetcars were originally pulled by horses and operated from the Yorkville Town Hall to St. Lawrence Market.
July 1, 1867: Canadian confederation
Three British colonies come together as the Dominion of Canada and split into four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
1869: Eaton’s Department Store Opens
Timothy Eaton sets up a small department store on Yonge Street. The shop will eventually grow to become one of the biggest shopping centres in Canada and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city.
September 5th, 1879: CNE is Born
The first Canadian National Exhibition is held, which was then called the Toronto Industrial Exhibition, and proves to be a huge success.
July 1, 1893: Union Station Opens
Grand Trunk Railway builds Toronto’s first Union Station, which consisted of three wooden structures. At the time, it’s the largest railway station in Canada. This station would later be rebuilt and replaced in 1927.
September 18, 1899: City Hall Opens
Toronto City Hall opens as one of the largest buildings in the city. It will hold city council until 1966, when a new city hall building will be built.
March 11, 1914: Toronto Blue Shirts Win Stanley Cup
The Toronto Blue Shirts win the Stanley Cup, defeating their long time rival, the Montreal Canadiens. The Blue Shirts will later be replaced by the Toronto Hockey Club, which will evolve into the Toronto Maple Leafs.
November 12, 1931: Maple Leaf Gardens Opens
The downtown hockey arena opens with an original six matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks. The Leafs lose 2-1. (Things sure haven’t changed).
March 30, 1954: First Subway Line Opens
A 7.4-kilometre subway line opens under Yonge Street, using four- and six-car trains that operate at about 32 kilometres per hour.
May 23, 1967: GO Transit
Toronto’s Go Transit is established to connect the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, with trains running from Hamilton to Pickering.
June 26, 1976: CN Tower opens
The CN Tower opens as the tallest freestanding structure in the world. The tower was built so members of the Canadian National Railway could observe the entire railway switching yard.
October 24, 1992: Toronto Blue Jays Win First World Series
The Jays beat the Atlanta Braves in the sixth game of the World Series to win the championship. It was the first time a Canadian team had ever won the trophy. The Jays would follow up this incredible season with another World Series championship the following year.
June 26, 2010: G20 Summit is Held
Outside the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, police cause controversy over their handling of security at the G20 Summit hosted in Toronto. Inside the meeting, leaders discuss global financial systems and the world economy.
October 27, 2014: John Tory Becomes Mayor
John Tory is elected as the 65th mayor of Toronto, defeating the incumbent mayor’s brother, Doug Ford, and former councillor Olivia Chow.
March 6, 2016:
The city of Toronto celebrates its 182nd birthday.
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