1861 in Canada

April 14 - A major flood hits Montreal
April 15 - Nova Scotia: resolution for provincial union by Joseph Howe for referral to the other British North American provinces in July.
May 13 - The UK declares its neutrality in American Civil War.
June 1 - The UK bans naval craft or privateers of American belligerents from carrying prizes into British ports or territorial waters.
November 8 - The Trent Affair: British packet steamer Trent stopped by Northern warship in international waters. Two Confederate diplomats taken off and imprisoned in Boston.
November 28 - Viscount Monck becomes Governor-General.
December 3 - The UK sends reinforcements to British North America.
December 23 - The UK demands release of Confederate diplomats taken from Trent.
December 26 - Confederate diplomats taken from Trent released.
Joseph Howe became Premier of Nova Scotia
Dr. Anderson Fuffin Abbott becomes the first Canadian Born Black to graduate from medical school.