114 years ago today, on February 22, 1911 (January 24, 1911 in the lunar calendar), the Canadian Parliament decided to maintain the federal system within the British Empire. Canada was originally inhabited by Indians and Inuit. In the 16th century, it became a French and British colony, and was later ceded to Britain by France. In 1867, Britain merged the provinces of Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia into one federation, becoming the earliest self-governing territory in the United Kingdom. Since then, other provinces have also joined the federation one after another. On February 22, 1911, the Canadian Parliament decided to maintain the federal system within the British Empire. In 1926, Britain recognized Canada's "equal status" and Canada first gained diplomatic independence. In 1931, it became a member of the British Commonwealth, and its Parliament also gained equal legislative power with the British Parliament, but it still had no power to amend the Constitution. In 1982, the Queen of England signed the Canadian Constitution Act, and the Canadian Parliament gained full power to constitutionally and amend the constitution.