Events April 7 - Father of Confederation Thomas D'Arcy McGee is assassinated in Ottawa by Irish Fenians. Louis Riel returns to the Red River area The Hudson's Bay Company agrees to turn Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory over to Canada The first Federal Militia Act is passed, creating a Canadian army Births January 16 - Octavia Ritchie, scholar March 14 - Emily Murphy, judge August 26 - Charles Stewart, Premier of Alberta September 1 - Henri Bourassa, Quebec nationalist September 22 - Louise McKinney, feminist November 9 - Marie Dressler, actress December 11 - William Parks, geologist Deaths April 7, Thomas D'Arcy McGee, Father of Confederation Laura Secord, patriot