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Pierre Elliott Trudeau, 1919-2000 Prime Minister of Canada - Chronology
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Pierre Trudeau at Liberal leadership convention, April 6, 1968

Pierre Trudeau at Liberal leadership convention, April 6, 1968
Photo: Duncan Cameron
Library and Archives Canada
PA-111213

Prime Minister Trudeau, on the cover of Time (Canada) Magazine, July 5, 1968

Prime Minister Trudeau, on the cover of Time (Canada) Magazine, July 5, 1968
Photo: Duncan Cameron
Library and Archives Canada
C-027281

John Lennon and Yoko Ono with Pierre Trudeau, December 22, 1969

John Lennon and Yoko Ono with Pierre Trudeau, December 22, 1969
Photo: Duncan Cameron
Library and Archives Canada
PA-110805

1919
Born on October 18 to a wealthy, bicultural family
in Montreal.

1940–1948
Studies political science, economy and philosophy
at the universities of Montreal and London,
at Harvard and at the Sorbonne in Paris, and
returns to Montreal to practice law.

1965
Is elected to Parliament as the Member
for Mount Royal, Montreal.

1967
Is appointed Minister of Justice and reforms the
Criminal Code, decriminalizing homosexuality
and abortion.

1968–1979
Serves as Prime Minister in three successive governments.

1970
Invokes the War Measures Act in response
to political violence in Quebec.

1971
Marries Margaret Sinclair, with whom he has three
sons. Some years after his divorce in 1984, he has
a daughter with lawyer Deborah Coyne.

1979–1980
Serves as Leader of the Opposition.

1980–1984
Returns to power as Prime Minister for a fourth term. Implements major constitutional reforms.

2000
Dies on September 28 in Montreal.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with Prime Minister Trudeau, April 17, 1982

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with Prime Minister Trudeau, April 17, 1982
Photo: Robert Cooper
Library and Archives Canada
PA-141503

Trudeau with Duncan Cameron's camera, Ottawa, June 28, 1968

Trudeau with Duncan Cameron's camera, Ottawa, June 28, 1968
Photo: Duncan Cameron
Library and Archives Canada
PA-175919

Pierre Trudeau, 1975

Pierre Trudeau, 1975
Photo: Rod MacIvor, Ottawa

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