Louis Riel

Politician Louis Riel Full Name: Louis Riel
Nationality:

Canadian

Profession: Politician
Why Famous: As a political and spiritual leader of the Metis people of the Canadian prairies, he led two resistance movements against the Canadian government, seeking to preserve Metis rights and culture. He was arrested and charged with treason before being executed in 1885.

Born: October 22, 1844
Star Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Red River Colony, Canada

Died: November 16, 1885 (aged 41)
Cause of Death: Execution by hanging

Historical Events in the Life of Louis Riel

  • 1869-07-19 Louis Riel speaks at a meeting of Metis residents about rights, setting in motion the events now referred to as the Red River Rebellion
  • 1870-03-04 On command of Louis Riel, Thomas Scott is executed by a firing squad. Riel rejects all appeals and requests to intervene in an attempt to demonstrate to the Canadian government that the Métis must be taken seriously
  • 1872-03-02 Louis Riel goes into voluntary exile in St. Paul, Minnesota
  • 1885-03-19 Louis Riel returns to Canada, proclaims provisional government, Sask
  • 1885-03-26 Louis Riel's forces defeat Canadian forces at Duck Lake, Sask
  • 1885-05-12 Battle of Batoche: Louis Riel and the Metis defeated by Frederick Middleton, leds to collapse of Provincial Government of Saskatchewan and surrender of Riel

Famous Executions