PEI History Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mi'kmaq

The Mi'kmaq people lived in various areas in Eastern Canada for thousands of years before Europeans arrived, including the island that is nestled in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the Maritimes that would eventually become Prince Edward Island. The Mi'kmaq name for the island was "Epekwitk", which means "cradle on the waves" due to its crescent, or cradle shape.

Answer: French

It is recognized that in 1534, Jacques Cartier was the first European to see the island. As colonization proceeded, France claimed the island (and other areas in the Maritimes) to create the French colony of Acadia in 1604. The French named the island "Īle Saint-Jean" at that time.

Answer: No

The Mi'kmaq people never recognized the island as a French settlement. However, they did welcome the French people as allies and trading partners.

Answer: Approximately 20

The small number of troops fled when the English arrived. The Port-la-Joye garrison of French troops was led by Joseph du Pont Duvivier. He led the retreat from the invasion. The French troops were able to gather reinforcements from the local militia and the Mi'kmaq, and repel the English invasion with minimal casualties.

Answer: 1763

The British claimed the island and named it as part of Nova Scotia when France gave up its claim to the island in 1763. France gave up the territory as part of the settlement of the Seven Years' War, under the terms of the Treaty of Paris. The British separated the area from Nova Scotia into its own separate colony in 1769.

The British changed the name of the area to the English "St. John's Island" when they took control.

Answer: November 29, 1798

Prince Edward Island was chosen as the name for the former St. John's Island in 1798 to honour the fourth son of King George III, Prince Edward Augustus, the Duke of Kent (1767-1820). Prince Edward went on to lead the British military forces in North America (1799-1800). He was also the father of Queen Victoria.

Answer: It was the first meeting that led to confederation in Canada.

The Charlottetown Conference was held in September, 1864 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The meeting of politicians led to the development of the Quebec Resolutions and the creation of Canada. Canada became its own country, distinct from the United Kingdom on July 1, 1867, just three years after the Charlottetown Conference.

This has led to the nickname of "The Birthplace of Confederation" for Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island.

Answer: No

Despite hosting the conference where the initial terms of confederation were developed, Prince Edward Island chose not to join Canada right away because the politicians from the island did not like the terms of the agreement. They chose instead to remain a colony of the United Kingdom.

The island finally joined Canada on July 1, 1873 after Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada's first prime minister, stepped in and negotiated favourable terms for the island.

Answer: Ferry only

Up until 1997, the only way that car travellers could get to Prince Edward Island was by ferry. The Confederation Bridge opened on June 1, 1997 to allow some flexibility for travellers, especially in inclement weather. When it opened, it was the world's longest bridge over ice-covered waters.

Answer: Stompin' Tom Connors

Stompin' Tom was actually born in New Brunswick and lived in poverty with his single mother for the first few years. He was eventually seized by the Children's Aid Society and was adopted by a couple from Skinners Pond, Prince Edward Island. Although he ran away from there when he was 13, Prince Edward Island can lay claim to a few of the formative years of this Canadian musical icon.