The history of modern-day Toronto dates back to 1793 when Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe made the city the provincial capital and ordered the construction of Fort York on the shore of Lake Ontario. Built to hold-off American troops, Fort York encouraged a wave of civilians to settle in the area.

The civilian population of Toronto was very diverse during the 1790s. With German, English, Dutch, French, Irish, Scottish, Welsh and African immigrants arriving on the shores of Lake Ontario, as well as French-Canadians, Pennsylvanian Mennonites and Native American Indians continuing to live in the area, a foundation of ethnic diversity was laid that continues to be present today. In fact, Toronto is considered by many to be one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world.

As the eighteenth century closed, Toronto's population grew slowly. In 1796 approximately 300 people lived in town, 175 in the garrison, and 450 on surrounding farms. However, a massive migration to Canada from the United States began shortly after the War of 1812 and the face of Toronto changed forever. Currently 4.2 million people call the Greater Toronto Area home.

Today the lakeshore is home to many of the city's major attractions. With exciting places to visit like the CN Tower, the Molson Indy, or Ontario Place, it's hard to imagine what Toronto looked like over 200 years ago. However, sitting in the shadows of the downtown core, Fort York continues to preserve the memories of Toronto's past. Even today, archaeologists are uncovering artifacts that give us a more detailed glimpse into origins of Toronto.