George-Étienne Cartier, Canadian soldier, lawyer, and politician, 9th Premier of East Canada (b. 1814)
Sir George-Étienne Cartier, 1st Baronet, (pronounced [ʒɔʁʒ etjɛn kaʁtje]; September 6, 1814 – May 20, 1873) was a Canadian statesman and Father of Confederation.
The English spelling of the name—George, instead of Georges, the usual French spelling—is explained by his having been named in honour of King George III.
In the years leading up to Confederation, Cartier was a dominant figure in the politics of Canada East as leader of the Parti bleu. In 1838 he returned to Montreal after a year in exile for his role in the Lower Canada Rebellion. He officially entered politics in 1848. During his long career he promoted the establishment of the Civil Code as the formal law of Canada East, instead of sole use of common law as was present in Canada West. He also promoted the introduction of primary education in the province. Cartier had several reasons for supporting Confederation, notably his fear of American expansion. He died in London, England, on May 20, 1873.
1873May, 20
George-Étienne Cartier
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Events on 1873
- 18Feb
Vasil Levski
Bulgarian revolutionary leader Vasil Levski is executed by hanging in Sofia by the Ottoman authorities. - 22Mar
Slavery in the Spanish New World colonies
The Spanish National Assembly abolishes slavery in Puerto Rico. - 1Jul
Canadian Confederation
Prince Edward Island joins into Canadian Confederation. - 4Aug
7th Cavalry Regiment
American Indian Wars: While protecting a railroad survey party in Montana, the United States 7th Cavalry, under Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer clashes for the first time with the Cheyenne and Lakota people near the Tongue River; only one man on each side is killed. - 20Oct
Princeton University
Yale, Princeton, Columbia, and Rutgers universities draft the first code of American football rules.