Samuel de Champlain and the Founding of Quebec City

Samuel de Champlain did not "conquer" or "take" Quebec—he founded it. On July 3, 1608, the French explorer established a permanent settlement at the site of present-day Quebec City, which became the capital of New France. The location was strategically chosen at the narrowing of the St. Lawrence River (Kebec in Algonquin), controlling access to the interior fur trade networks.

Champlain's "Habitation" was a fortified complex of wooden buildings surrounded by a palisade. It served as a trading post, administrative center, and base for further exploration. The early years were harsh; of the 28 men who wintered there in 1608-09, only 8 survived scurvy and exposure. Despite this, the settlement endured and grew into the heart of French North America.