1000 significant moments in Sikh-Canadian history

1897 – The first Sikh immigrants arrived in British Columbia, Canada, primarily from Punjab region of British India.
1904 – The Khalsa Diwan Society was established in Vancouver, becoming the first Sikh organization in Canada.
1908 – The first Sikh Gurdwara (place of worship) in Canada, the Ross Street Gurdwara, was established in Vancouver.
1914: The Komagata Maru incident, in which a ship carrying 376 passengers from British India, most of them Sikhs, was denied entry into Canada due to discriminatory laws, led to a two-month standoff.
1919 – The Ghadar Party, a revolutionary group aimed at overthrowing British rule in India, was formed in Canada by Sikh immigrants.
1920s – Sikh immigrants faced significant discrimination and were denied the right to vote in British Columbia.
1947 – After the Partition of India, many Sikh refugees immigrated to Canada, fleeing violence and persecution.
1951 – The Canadian government introduced the Immigration Act, which removed discriminatory policies and allowed more Sikh immigrants to enter Canada.
1960s – The Sikh community in Canada began to grow rapidly, with the establishment of new Gurdwaras and community organizations.
1967 – The centennial celebration of Canadian Confederation saw the first significant Sikh participation in national events.
1971 – The World Sikh Organization (WSO) was founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to represent the interests of Sikhs in Canada.
1974 – The first Sikh Member of Parliament, Gurbachan Singh Bains, was elected to the House of Commons.
1976 – The Canadian government passed the Multiculturalism Act, recognizing the diversity of Canadian society and promoting the preservation of cultural heritage.
1984 – The Sikh community in Canada rallied in support of the victims of the Indian Army’s attack on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab.
1985 – The Air India Flight 182 bombing, perpetrated by Sikh extremists, claimed the lives of 329 people, including many Canadians.
1987 – The Canadian government launched the Air India Inquiry to investigate the bombing and its handling by Canadian authorities.
1988 – The Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario was formed to promote Sikh culture and community involvement.
1990 – The Canadian Parliament passed the Multiculturalism Policy, further strengthening the recognition of diversity and promoting equality.
1995 – The Canadian government formally apologized for the Komagata Maru incident and the discriminatory policies of the past.
1997 – The Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada opened in Mississauga, Ontario, to preserve and promote Sikh history and culture.
1998 – The Canadian government established the Sikh Heritage Month, celebrated annually in April.
2001 – The first Sikh Member of Parliament, Navdeep Bains, was elected in the Greater Toronto Area.
2003 – The Sikh Centennial Foundation was established to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Sikh immigration to Canada.
2004 – The Sikh Centennial Celebration was held across Canada, highlighting the contributions of the Sikh community to the nation.
2005 – The Canadian government issued a commemorative stamp to honor the Sikh Pioneers who helped build Canada.
2007 – The Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario organized the first Sikh Motorcycle Rally in Toronto, promoting unity and community engagement.
2008 – The first national Sikh Youth Leadership Institute was established in Toronto to empower young Sikh leaders.
2010 – The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg featured an exhibit on the Komagata Maru incident and the struggles of early Sikh immigrants.
2011 – The Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada launched the “Sikh Project,” a traveling exhibition showcasing Sikh history and contributions.
2012 – The Ontario government recognized the Sikh Genocide Memorial Day on November 1st, commemorating the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.

2013 – The first National Sikh Students’ Convention was held in Toronto, bringing together Sikh youth from across Canada.
2014 – The Canadian government issued a commemorative stamp celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident.
2015 – The Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada launched a mobile app to educate and engage the public about Sikh history and culture.
2016 – The first Sikh woman, Harbaljit Singh Kahlon, was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
2017 – The Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario organized the first Sikh Truck Rally to promote road safety and community solidarity.
2018 – The World Sikh Organization of Canada launched the “Sikh Youth Mentorship Program” to provide guidance and support to young Sikhs.
2019 – The Canadian government apologized for the Komagata Maru incident and the discriminatory policies of the past.
2020 – The Sikh community in Canada played a vital role in supporting frontline workers and vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021 – The first Sikh woman, Anita Anand, was appointed as the Minister of National Defence in the Canadian federal government.
2022: The Canadian government announced the establishment of a National Day of Remembrance for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.

Table of Contents

Top Dates in 2023

April 14th: Vaisakhi (Sikh New Year) celebrations across Canada, with parades, festivities, and cultural events.
April 21st: Commemoration of the Sikh massacre at the Indian village of Chithi Singhpura in 1984.
May 13th: Annual Sikh Youth Leadership Conference hosted by the Sikh Youth Alliance in Toronto.
June 6th: Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
June 24th: Sikh Environment Day, promoting environmental awareness and sustainability within the Sikh community.
July 1st: Canada Day celebrations, with Sikh organizations and individuals participating in parades and events across the country.
August 5th: Annual Sikh Motorcycle Rally organized by the Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario, promoting road safety and unity.
August 15th: Commemoration of India’s Independence Day, celebrated by the Sikh community in Canada.
September 1st: Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
September 9th: Sikh Genocide Awareness Week, highlighting the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.
October 7th: Birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, celebrated with Nagar Kirtans (religious processions) and events.
October 14th: Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali), celebrating the release of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, from imprisonment.
November 1st: Sikh Genocide Memorial Day, commemorating the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.
November 11th: Remembrance Day events, honoring the sacrifices of Sikh soldiers who served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
November 25th: Guru Nanak Jayanti (Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji) celebrations across Canada.
December 26th: Martyrdom Day of the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
January 5th: Annual Sikh Youth Summit organized by the World Sikh Organization of Canada in Toronto.
February 11th: Sikh Turban Day, promoting awareness and understanding of the Sikh turban and its significance.
March 18th: Hola Mohalla (Sikh Festival of Valor) celebrations, with martial arts demonstrations and cultural events.
April 8th: Vaisakhi Parade in Vancouver, one of the largest Sikh celebrations in Canada.
April 22nd: Earth Day events organized by Sikh environmental organizations, promoting eco-friendly practices.
May 6th: Annual Sikh Youth Leadership Conference hosted by the Sikh Youth Federation in Montreal.
June 9th: Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
July 8th: Commemoration of the Operation Blue Star attack on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, in 1984.
August 12th: Annual Sikh Food Festival in Toronto, showcasing traditional Sikh cuisine and culture.
September 16th: Sikh Heritage Month celebration events across Canada, highlighting the history and contributions of the Sikh community.
October 21st: Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali) celebrations, with cultural events and community gatherings.
November 8th: Remembrance Day events honoring Sikh soldiers who served in World War I and World War II.
November 19th: Sikh Genocide Memorial Day events, commemorating the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.
December 10th: Human Rights Day events organized by Sikh organizations, promoting equality and justice.
January 12th: World Sikh Organization of Canada’s Annual General Meeting and community update.
February 18th: Sikh Art and Film Festival in Vancouver, showcasing Sikh creativity and talent.
March 25th: Sikh Youth Leadership Summit hosted by the Sikh Youth Alliance in Calgary.
April 15th: Vaisakhi Parade in Surrey, British Columbia, one of the largest Sikh celebrations in Canada.
April 29th: Commemoration of the Sikh massacre at the Indian village of Pilibhit in 1984.
May 20th: Annual Sikh Youth Leadership Conference hosted by the Sikh Youth Federation in Edmonton.
June 16th: Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
July 15th: Annual Sikh Truck Rally organized by the Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario, promoting road safety.
August 19th: Sikh Heritage Month celebration events across Canada, highlighting the history and contributions of the Sikh community.
September 23rd: Sikh Genocide Awareness Week, highlighting the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.
October 28th: Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali) celebrations, with cultural events and community gatherings.
November 15th: Remembrance Day events honoring Sikh soldiers who served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
November 26th: Guru Nanak Jayanti (Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji) celebrations across Canada.
December 17th: Martyrdom Day of the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
January 19th: Annual Sikh Youth Summit organized by the World Sikh Organization of Canada in Vancouver.
February 25th: Sikh Turban Day, promoting awareness and understanding of the Sikh turban and its significance.
March 31st: Hola Mohalla (Sikh Festival of Valor) celebrations, with martial arts demonstrations and cultural events.
April 16th: Vaisakhi Parade in Toronto, one of the largest Sikh celebrations in Canada.
April 30th: Commemoration of the Sikh massacre at the Indian village of Jalianwala Bagh in 1919.
May 27th: Annual Sikh Youth Leadership Conference hosted by the Sikh Youth Federation in Vancouver.
June 23rd: Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
July 22nd: Commemoration of the Operation Blue Star attack on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, in 1984.
August 26th: Annual Sikh Food Festival in Surrey, British Columbia, showcasing traditional Sikh cuisine and culture.
September 30th: Sikh Heritage Month celebration events across Canada, highlighting the history and contributions of the Sikh community.
November 4th: Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali) celebrations, with cultural events and community gatherings.
November 22nd: Remembrance Day events honoring Sikh soldiers who served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
December 3rd: Sikh Genocide Memorial Day events, commemorating the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.
December 24th: Human Rights Day events organized by Sikh organizations, promoting equality and justice.
January 26th: World Sikh Organization of Canada’s Annual General Meeting and community update.
March 4th: Sikh Art and Film Festival in Toronto, showcasing Sikh creativity and talent.
April 1st: Vaisakhi Parade in Calgary, one of the largest Sikh celebrations in Canada.
April 22nd: Earth Day events organized by Sikh environmental organizations, promoting eco-friendly practices.
May 13th: Annual Sikh Youth Leadership Conference hosted by the Sikh Youth Alliance in Ottawa.
June 30th: Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
July 29th: Annual Sikh Motorcycle Rally organized by the Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario, promoting road safety and unity.
September 2nd: Sikh Heritage Month celebration events across Canada, highlighting the history and contributions of the Sikh community.

Top Dates in 2024 related to Sikh culture

April 13th: Vaisakhi (Sikh New Year) celebrations across Canada, with parades, festivities, and cultural events.
April 20th: Commemoration of the Sikh massacre at the Indian village of Chithi Singhpura in 1984.
May 11th: Annual Sikh Youth Leadership Conference hosted by the Sikh Youth Alliance in Toronto.
June 4th: Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
June 22nd: Sikh Environment Day, promoting environmental awareness and sustainability within the Sikh community.
July 1st: Canada Day celebrations, with Sikh organizations and individuals participating in parades and events across the country.
August 3rd: Annual Sikh Motorcycle Rally organized by the Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario, promoting road safety and unity.
August 15th: Commemoration of India’s Independence Day, celebrated by the Sikh community in Canada.
August 31st: Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
September 7th: Sikh Genocide Awareness Week, highlighting the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.
October 5th: Birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, celebrated with Nagar Kirtans (religious processions) and events.
October 12th: Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali), celebrating the release of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, from imprisonment.
November 1st: Sikh Genocide Memorial Day, commemorating the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.
November 11th: Remembrance Day events, honoring the sacrifices of Sikh soldiers who served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
November 23rd: Guru Nanak Jayanti (Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji) celebrations across Canada.
December 24th: Martyrdom Day of the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
January 6th: Annual Sikh Youth Summit organized by the World Sikh Organization of Canada in Toronto.
February 10th: Sikh Turban Day, promoting awareness and understanding of the Sikh turban and its significance.
March 16th: Hola Mohalla (Sikh Festival of Valor) celebrations, with martial arts demonstrations and cultural events.
April 6th: Vaisakhi Parade in Vancouver, one of the largest Sikh celebrations in Canada.
April 20th: Earth Day events organized by Sikh environmental organizations, promoting eco-friendly practices.
May 4th: Annual Sikh Youth Leadership Conference hosted by the Sikh Youth Federation in Montreal.
June 7th: Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
July 6th: Commemoration of the Operation Blue Star attack on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, in 1984.
August 10th: Annual Sikh Food Festival in Toronto, showcasing traditional Sikh cuisine and culture.
September 14th: Sikh Heritage Month celebration events across Canada, highlighting the history and contributions of the Sikh community.
October 19th: Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali) celebrations, with cultural events and community gatherings.
November 9th: Remembrance Day events honoring Sikh soldiers who served in World War I and World War II.
November 17th: Sikh Genocide Memorial Day events, commemorating the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.
December 8th: Human Rights Day events organized by Sikh organizations, promoting equality and justice.
January 13th: World Sikh Organization of Canada’s Annual General Meeting and community update.
February 17th: Sikh Art and Film Festival in Vancouver, showcasing Sikh creativity and talent.
March 23rd: Sikh Youth Leadership Summit hosted by the Sikh Youth Alliance in Calgary.
April 13th: Vaisakhi Parade in Surrey, British Columbia, one of the largest Sikh celebrations in Canada.
April 27th: Commemoration of the Sikh massacre at the Indian village of Pilibhit in 1984.
May 18th: Annual Sikh Youth Leadership Conference hosted by the Sikh Youth Federation in Edmonton.
June 14th: Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
July 13th: Annual Sikh Truck Rally organized by the Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario, promoting road safety.
August 17th: Sikh Heritage Month celebration events across Canada, highlighting the history and contributions of the Sikh community.
September 21st: Sikh Genocide Awareness Week, highlighting the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.
October 26th: Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali) celebrations, with cultural events and community gatherings.
November 11th: Remembrance Day events honoring Sikh soldiers who served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
November 24th: Guru Nanak Jayanti (Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji) celebrations across Canada.
December 15th: Martyrdom Day of the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
January 20th: Annual Sikh Youth Summit organized by the World Sikh Organization of Canada in Vancouver.
February 24th: Sikh Turban Day, promoting awareness and understanding of the Sikh turban and its significance.
March 29th: Hola Mohalla (Sikh Festival of Valor) celebrations, with martial arts demonstrations and cultural events.
April 14th: Vaisakhi Parade in Toronto, one of the largest Sikh celebrations in Canada.
April 28th: Commemoration of the Sikh massacre at the Indian village of Jalianwala Bagh in 1919.
May 25th: Annual Sikh Youth Leadership Conference hosted by the Sikh Youth Federation in Vancouver.
June 21st: Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
July 20th: Commemoration of the Operation Blue Star attack on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, in 1984.
August 24th: Annual Sikh Food Festival in Surrey, British Columbia, showcasing traditional Sikh cuisine and culture.
September 28th: Sikh Heritage Month celebration events across Canada, highlighting the history and contributions of the Sikh community.
November 2nd: Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali) celebrations, with cultural events and community gatherings.
November 11th: Remembrance Day events honoring Sikh soldiers who served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
November 30th: Sikh Genocide Memorial Day events, commemorating the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.
December 22nd: Human Rights Day events organized by Sikh organizations, promoting equality and justice.
January 27th: World Sikh Organization of Canada’s Annual General Meeting and community update.
March 2nd: Sikh Art and Film Festival in Toronto, showcasing Sikh creativity and talent.
March 30th: Vaisakhi Parade in Calgary, one of the largest Sikh celebrations in Canada.
April 20th: Earth Day events organized by Sikh environmental organizations, promoting eco-friendly practices.
May 11th: Annual Sikh Youth Leadership Conference hosted by the Sikh Youth Alliance in Ottawa.
June 28th: Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, observed with religious ceremonies and events.
July 27th: Annual Sikh Motorcycle Rally organized by the Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario, promoting road safety and unity.
August 31st: Sikh Heritage Month celebration events across Canada, highlighting the history and contributions of the Sikh community.