Cartier Plants a Cross in the Gaspe: France Claims Canada
The Iroquois chief Donnacona watched from shore as Cartier's men erected a 30-foot cross bearing the words "Long Live the King of France." July 24, 1534. Cartier claimed the land belonged to Francis I—except 200 Iroquois already lived there, fished there, buried their dead there. Donnacona confronted the French immediately, gesturing that all the land around them was his. Cartier lied, said it was just a navigation marker. Then he kidnapped Donnacona's two sons to bring back to France. The sons returned. Donnacona never did.
July 24, 1534
492 years ago
Key Figures & Places
Francis I of France
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France
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exploration
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Explorer
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Jacques Cartier
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Gaspé Peninsula
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Francis I of France
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Charles de Gaulle
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Kingdom of France
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Canada
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Government of Canada
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Jacques Cartier
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St. Lawrence River
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Vive le Québec libre
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Gaspé Peninsula
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Gaspé (ville)
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Croix de Gaspé
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Pied (unité)
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