1773 - The PEI House of Assembly meets for the first time.
1835 - The Assembly passes a bill that requires its members to stand for reelection before accepting a paid position on the Executive Council.
1837-38 - Rebellions break out in Upper and Lower Canada in opposition to the Family Compact and Chateau Clique. The Durham report recommends that responsible government be granted to the colonies of British North America.
1839 - The Legislative and Executive Councils are split into separate bodies with distinct memberships.
1840 - The Assembly sends a petition to the Queen requesting responsible government for the Island.
1842 - George Coles, an advocate of responsible government, is elected to the House of Assembly.
1847 -Lieutenant Governor Sir Henry Vere Huntley supports the movement for responsible government and appoints George Coles to Executive Council.
1847 - In response to Durham’s recommendations, responsible government is granted in some British North American colonies; PEI, however, is considered too small and underdeveloped to warrant it.
1849 - The British grant for civil administration is removed and PEI becomes responsible for its own expenditures. The House of Assembly refuses to supply the civil list unless responsible government is granted.
1850 - Lieutenant Governor Sir Donald Campbell dissolves the Assembly and unsuccessfully attempts to have voting qualifications changed to prevent the Reform Party from returning to power.
1850 - Sir Alexander Bannerman succeeds Sir Donald Campbell as Lieutenant Governor and is instructed by the Colonial Secretary, Lord Grey, to grant responsible government to PEI.
March 25, 1851 - Lieutenant Governor Bannerman grants responsible government to PEI in the Speech from the Throne.
April 25, 1851 - George Coles announces that he has formed an Executive that has the confidence of the House of Assembly. Coles becomes the first Premier of Prince Edward Island.