What are the events that forever changed our city? Join us as we document over 100 years worth of defining moments that have played a role in shaping Vancouver as we know it.

• 1867 - The Beginnings of Gastown

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  John "Gassy Jack" Deighton opened up the first saloon on the shores of the Burrard Inlet. The saloon grew to be so popular that it became the centre of the town that sprung up around it: Gastown.

• 1867 - Indian Act

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  This act dictated how the Canadian state interacted with bands across the country, including those in Vancouver. Highly controversial, this act has undergone a variety of changes since its inception.

• 1885 - Chinese Head Tax

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  The Canadian Government, as urged by the BC Government, imposed a $50 tax per person for every Chinese immigrant. The intention of this tax was to discourage Chinese workers from coming to Canada. 

• 1886 - The Great Vancouver Fire

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  The Town of Granville was officially incorporated as the City of Vancouver in 1886, but just two months later, the city was devastated by a fire that destroyed the majority of its structures.

• 1888 - Stanley Park

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  While the land (a military reserve) that would later become Stanley Park was originally leased by the Vancouver City Council in 1886, the park did not officially open until September of 1888.

• 1908 - University of British Columbia

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  What is now known as the modern day UBC was originally founded as the McGill University College of BC, and did not become an independent entity, adopting its current name, until 1915.

• 1914 - Komagata Maru

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  A ship carrying 376 passengers from Pujab, British India arrived in Vancouver in 1914. Only 24 of these passengers were admitted to the country, with the rest being sent back to India.

• 1915 - The Millionaires Win the Stanley Cup

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  During the 1914 to 1915 season, Vancouver's Millionaires became the official Stanley Cup champions, beating out the Ottawa Senators for the title.

• 1938 - The Lions Gate Bridge

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  While the Lions Gate Bridge was open to traffic, it did not officially open until the Royal family's visit to Vancouver in 1939. Even to this day, it is still one of the city's most iconic landmarks.

• 1941 - Japanese Internment

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  Following the attack on Pearl Harbour, many Japanese Canadians were relocated by the Canadian Government, where they were forced to follow curfews, adhere to interrogations, and give up their lives.

• 1958 - Collapse of the Ironworker's Memorial

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  In June of 1958, the Ironworker's Memorial (Second Narrows) Bridge collapsed as a result of an engineering miscalculation, resulting in 19 fatalities.

• 1964 - BC Lions Win Grey Cup

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  In 1964, the BC Lions emerged victorious in their finals match against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, subsequently winning the Grey Cup for the first time in history.

• 1970 - Hogan's Alley Destroyed

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  Hogan's Alley, near the area now known as Strathcona, was once a neighbourhood that was home to Vancouver's black community. It was torn down in 1970 to make way for the Georgia Viaduct. 

• 1970 - The Canucks' First NHL Game

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  The Vancouver Canucks became a part of the National Hockey League, and played their first game (which they lost) against the Los Angeles Kings in 1970.

• 1983 - BC Place Stadium

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  The roof of BC Place is officially inflated, making the massive 60,000 seater the largest air-supported dome of its kind, and finally providing the capacity to accommodate large-scale sporting events.

• 1985 - The Skytrain Is Up and Running

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  Completed just in time for the Expo World's Fair, the Skytrain system was up and running in December of 1985, with the route connecting Vancouver to New Westminster fittingly named the "Expo Line."

• 1986 - Expo World's Fair

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  Vancouver hosted the largest special category World Exposition ever held in North America, with the category being "transportation." Transpo '86 was a great success, and lasted for 6 months.

• 1990 - The First Celebration of Light

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  Formerly known as the "Symphony of Fire," 1990 was the first year in which the annual festival was held. Today, the Celebration of Light is one of the most popular events to attend in Vancouver.

• 1994 - The First Stanley Cup Riot Ensues

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  In 1994, the Vancouver Canucks lost their Stanley Cup finals match against the New York Rangers. Soon afterwards, a riot began on the Downtown streets, involving over 50,000 individuals.

• 1995 - Vancouver Public Library & Rogers Arena

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  The Vancouver Public Library was officially opened in 1995, as was Rogers Arena (also known as General Motors Place), with both structures serving as modern landmarks in the city's Downtown core.

• 1996 - Vancouver Grizzlies' Entry into NBA

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  Despite the Grizzlies' short-lived stint as Vancouver's resident NBA team, 1996 will still be remembered for the entry of two Canadian teams into the NBA, with the other being the Toronto Raptors. 

• 1999 - Vancouver's 2010 Winter Olympics Bid

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  Vancouver creates the official bid to be the host city for the 2010 Winter Olympics. On Canada day of 2003, it was revealed that Vancouver had won the bid.

• 2009 - The Expansion of the Convention Centre

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  In 2009, the newly expanded Vancouver Convention Centre is opened to the public, with a capacity and design that far surpassed the original Canada Place venue. 

• 2009 - Completion of the Canada Line

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  The Canada Line, the Skytrain route connecting Richmond to Vancouver is up and running, just in time for the 2010 Olympic Games.

• 2010 - The Winter Olympic Games

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  Vancouver hosts the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, attracting numerous international visitors and media attention. Who can forget Sidney Crosby's gold metal goal in men's hockey?

• 2011 - The Second Stanley Cup Riot

  By Vancouver Is Awesome.

  After the Canucks lost to the Boston Bruins during the 2011 Stanley Cup finals, a riot broke out after the game, causing an estimated $5 million in property damages.