Everything You Need To Know About Canada Day

Everything that you need to know about Canada and to be that person at a party or celebration who is filled with fun facts and stories about Canada Day.

Final exam is on Tuesday – just kidding!

Happy Canada Day! / Bonne fête du Canada!

Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada), formerly known as Dominion Day (French: Fête du Dominion), is the national day of Canada.

Canada Day is a federal statutory holiday, and it celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation which occurred on July 1, 1867, with the passing of the British North America Act, 1867, when the three separate colonies of the United Canadas, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united into a single dominion within the British Empire called Canada.

Originally it was called Dominion Day (French: Le Jour de la Confédération), but the holiday was renamed in 1982, the same year that the Canadian constitution was patriated by the Canada Act, 1982.

Canada Day celebrations take place throughout the country, as well as in various locations around the world attended by Canadians living abroad.

History of Canada Day

Canada Day is often informally referred to as "Canada's birthday", particularly in the popular press. This holiday takes place at the beginning of summer holidays for many people – especially school aged children.

Originally called “Dominion Day,” Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada) is the national birthday of Canada, commemorating the unification of the three North American British colonies into one confederation: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Province of Canada (which was made up of parts of modern-day Ontario, Quebec, and Labrador).

Canada became a "kingdom in its own right" within the British Empire and is now commonly known as the Dominion of Canada.

While still a part of the British dominion at the time of Canada’s confederation, Canada initially gained an increased level of political control and governance over its own affairs, eventually Canada gained increasing sovereignty over the years—notably with the passage of the Statute of Westminster in 1931—until finally becoming completely sovereign with the passing of the Constitution Act, 1982, which served to fully patriate the Canadian constitution.

Canada Day is a federal statutory holiday that is always celebrated on July 1 - regardless of what day that July 1 falls on. Public workers are given the day off. If July 1 falls on a Sunday (then July 2 is the statutory holiday), celebrations generally still take place on July 1, even though it is not the legal holiday.

And if July 1 falls on a weekend (as it does this year), businesses that are normally closed that day will typically provide their employees with the following Monday as a day off.

So, how do we celebrate Canada Day, eh?

Most communities across the country host organized celebrations for Canada Day.

Typical celebrations include outdoor public events, such as parades, carnivals, festivals, barbecues, air and maritime shows, fireworks, and free musical concerts, as well as citizenship ceremonies.

There is no standard mode of celebration for Canada Day with Canadians celebrating across the country in the method that makes the most sense for them.

In Ottawa, Canada’s capital, concerts and cultural displays are held on the front lawn of Parliament Hill, as organized by Canadian Heritage, which include the main "noon show" and an evening programme that includes a massive firework display. But most cities and towns throughout Canada have celebrations of some nature and Canadian flags abound.

In addition, Canadian expatriates will often organize Canada Day activities in their local area on or near the date of the holiday including:

• Canada D'eh, an annual celebration that takes place at Lan Kwai Fong, in Hong Kong;[71]
• Canadian Forces' events on bases throughout the world;
• In Trafalgar Square outside Canada House in London, England;
• in Mexico, at the Royal Canadian Legion in Chapala, and at the Canadian Club in Ajijic.
• In China, Canada Day celebrations are held at the Bund Beach by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and at Canadian International School in Beijing, sponsored by the Canada China Business Council.

Happy Canada Day, everyone! How will you celebrate?

This is a time to remember how much pride we have for Canada and being Canadians - and in who and what we are - and how we can be better!

This is a time to have fun with family and friends! To enjoy a barbecue or see a parade!

Canada Day is a holiday for ALL Canadians -- and we wish you and your families a very happy and safe one!

Wherever and however you celebrate Canada Day this weekend, we ask that you please celebrate safely and responsibly.

And now you know more about the Canada Day holiday than you probably ever wanted to know. And for that, you are more than welcome!!!!

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