On May 2, 1670, King Charles II of England signed a Royal Charter incorporating the Hudson’s Bay Company. That company still exists today and for many Canadians before the Internet came along, might have been the only store to shop at.

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The history of the discovery, exploration, and development of The Americas is a very interesting story and it would be impossible for me to touch on even an iota of the most important details. But, during the early days of the exploration of America, many European nations were competing for control over the continents. As well, those nations were competing for territory and trade with the natives of the The Americas (and of course, sometimes brutally killing them in order to gain control of their lands).

In the 17th century, Great Britain and France were the largest rivals in the race to control what is now Canada. King Charles saw the advantage of having a centralized and organized company in pursuing trade and territories of North America, and The Hudson’s Bay Company was given a monopoly on all “Indian Trade” within a region that makes up 1/3 of what is now known as Canada.

The Company set up trading posts throughout this area and although it no longer has a monopoly over trade, it has still continued to exist. In some small northern towns, the Hudson’s Bay Company store still resemble and have a “trading post” feel while in major Canadian cities, HBC stores are large “department” type stores.

From trading in beaver pelts almost 500 years ago to an online e-commerce store today, that’s quite the history!

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