When was Quebec City founded?
Answer
On July 3, 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, on the site of the former Iroquoian village of Stadacona; it is the second-oldest permanent French settlement in North America after Port-Royal (1605) and the oldest still-standing French city in the Americas.
Explanation
Quebec City was founded on July 3, 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, on the site of the former Iroquoian village of Stadacona that Jacques Cartier had visited in 1535 but which had been abandoned by 1603. Quebec is the second-oldest permanent French settlement in North America after Port-Royal (founded 1605 in Acadia, in what is now Nova Scotia) and the oldest French-founded city in the Americas that has continuously been a city. The name 'Kebec' or 'Kébec' is from the Algonquian word meaning 'where the river narrows', describing the dramatic narrowing of the St. Lawrence River at the city's site.
Champlain selected the site for several strategic reasons. The narrowing of the St. Lawrence allowed control of inland navigation. The promontory of Cap-Diamant offered a defensible high position above the river. The site had abundant fresh water and fertile soil. Champlain built the Habitation, a fortified wooden compound containing residences, storehouses, and a chapel, in 1608 to 1609. The first winter (1608 to 1609) was deadly: only 8 of 28 settlers survived scurvy and dysentery.
Quebec grew slowly through the 17th century. The Compagnie des Cent-Associés (the Hundred Associates) was chartered in 1627 to develop the colony, but growth remained constrained until New France became a Royal province in 1663 and Jean Talon's intendancy (1665 to 1672) accelerated population growth and economic development. The Citadel of Quebec on Cap-Diamant was developed throughout the French and British periods, with the present star-shaped Citadel dating from 1820 to 1850. Quebec's fortifications are the only remaining fortified city walls north of Mexico.
Quebec became the capital of New France until 1763, the capital of the British Province of Quebec from 1763, the capital of Lower Canada from 1791 to 1841, the capital of the Province of Canada from 1841 to 1867 (alternating with Toronto and Kingston), and the capital of the Province of Quebec from Confederation in 1867 to today. The historic district of Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec) was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 as the only North American city north of Mexico to retain its fortifications. Quebec celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2008 with major federal-provincial commemorations.
Why this matters for your test
Quebec City is the founding city of French Canada and one of the oldest cities in North America. Recognising the July 3, 1608 founding by Champlain and the UNESCO World Heritage status of Old Quebec gives candidates two specific anchors.
Source: Parks Canada; Government of Quebec
