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René Lévesque

Premier of Quebec · 1922-1987

A television journalist who nationalized hydro, founded the Parti Québécois and lost a referendum.

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Life story

1. August 24, 1922 · New Carlisle, Quebec
   Born at Campbellton, New Brunswick; raised at New Carlisle in the Gaspé
2. 1952 · Montreal
   Became a star of Radio-Canada, later hosting Point de Mire
3. May 1, 1963 · Quebec City
   As a Lesage minister nationalized the private power companies into Hydro-Québec
4. October 1968 · Montreal
   Founded the Parti Québécois
5. November 15, 1976 · Quebec City
   Won the election and became premier
6. August 26, 1977 · Quebec City
   Passed Bill 101, the Charter of the French Language
7. May 20, 1980 · Quebec City
   Lost the sovereignty-association referendum
8. November 1, 1987 · Montreal
   Died in Montreal

In the timeline

• 1960 — The Quiet Revolution
• 1970 — The October Crisis
• 1976 — The Parti Québécois wins
• 1980 — The first Quebec referendum
• 1982 — Patriation and the Charter

Sources

• Wikipedia article: René Lévesque
• Dictionary of Canadian Biography
• The Canadian Encyclopedia