Canada Day

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Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada), formerly Dominion Day, is Canada's national holiday, marking the establishment of Canada as new federation with its own constitution on July 1, 1867. It is a federal holiday generally celebrated on July 1 annually by all provincial governments and most businesses across the country.

A day off from work for most citizens and residents, Canada Day is Canada's main patriotic holiday, often a time for outdoor activities in the early Canadian summer. Frequently referred to as "Canada's birthday," particularly in the popular press, the holiday celebrates the anniversary of Canada's creation as the first Dominion, through the 1867 British North America Act, which joined several British colonies into one self-governing federal polity, a kingdom in its own right. However, the British Parliament at first kept limited rights of political control over the new country, which were shed by stages over the years until the last vestiges were ended in 1982, when the Constitution Act patriated the Canadian constitution. Canada Day thus differs from Independence Day celebrations in other countries, in that it does not commemorate a clear-cut date of complete independence.

History

Canada Day marks the creation of the present polity of Canada on July 1, 1867, by the British North America Act, 1867, which joined the British colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada into a federation of four provinces, the colonial Province of Canada being divided, in the process, into the new Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec (see Canadian Confederation).

On June 20, 1868, the Governor General, Lord Monck, issued a proclamation asking for Canadians to celebrate the anniversary of the confederation.

The holiday was established statutorily 1879, and was originally called Dominion Day in reference to Canada's formal name, as it then was, and its standing as a dominion—essentially a polity within the British Empire—Canada being, in fact, the first of its kind.

Dominion Day was not a particularly prominent holiday in its early inceptions; in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Canadians continued to think of themselves as primarily British, and were thus less interested in celebrating a distinctly "Canadian" form of patriotism. No official celebrations were held on July 1 from confederation until 1917, its golden anniversary, and then none again a further decade. This trend declined in the post-war era. Beginning in 1958, the Canadian government orchestrated Dominion Day celebrations, usually consisting of Trooping the Colours ceremonies on Parliament Hill in the afternoon and evening, followed by a mass band concert and fireworks display. Canada's centennial, July 1, 1967, is often seen as an important day in the history of Canadian patriotism, and in Canada's maturity as a distinct, independent country. After 1967, Dominion Day became far more popular with average Canadians. Into the late 1960s, nationally televised, multi-cultural concerts were added, and the fete became known as "Festival Canada". After 1980, the Canadian government began to promote the celebrating of Dominion Day beyond the national capital, giving grants and aid to cities across the country to help fund local activities.

The name was officially changed to Canada Day on October 27, 1982, a move largely inspired by the adoption of the Canada Act, 1982, earlier in the year. However, many Canadians had already been informally referring to the holiday as "Canada Day" for a number of years before the official name change.

Activities

Most cities have organized celebrations. Municipal governments and community organizations usually organize high-profile public events for the day, such as parades, carnivals, festivals, barbecues, air and maritime shows, fireworks, and free musical concerts. Pancake breakfasts are common as well. As the day falls in July, Canada Day activities are frequently outdoors.

Canada Day generally also includes patriotic celebrations. Many cities include a citizenship ceremony for new citizens. Canadian flags and red maple leaves abound, and some individuals paint their faces in Canadian national colours (red and white).

The celebrations in Ottawa are particularly large and lavish. Every Canada Day, hundreds of thousands gather on Parliament Hill to celebrate Canada. Official celebrations are held throughout the national capital region, including in Hull, with the main show taking place on Parliament Hill. This event is normally presided over by the Governor General, though the Queen, Elizabeth II, has attended Canada Day ceremonies in 1990, 1992, and 1997. The Queen also helped celebrate Canada's 100th anniversary on July 1, 1967.

Canada Day 2006 saw the first International Canada Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square, London, England. This is to be a yearly event, though its date does not always coincide with Canada Day due to the summer booking schedule of Trafalgar Square.

Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, have, since the 1950s, celebrated Dominion Day or Canada Day and the United States' Independence Day with the International Freedom Festival. A massive fireworks display over the Detroit River, the strait separating the two cities, is held annually with hundreds of thousands of spectators attending.

Exception

Under the federal Holidays Act, Canada Day is observed on July 1 unless that date falls on a Sunday, in which case July 2 is the statutory holiday, although celebratory events generally take place on July 1 even though it is not the legal holiday.

If it falls on a Saturday, the following Monday is generally also a day off for those businesses ordinarily closed on Saturdays.

Other Canadian observances on the same date

Quebec has Moving Day on July 1, because most leases there begin and end on that day, with many people changing residences.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, July 1 is also recognized as Memorial Day, a day of remembrance and sacrifice, commemorating the Newfoundland Regiment's heavy losses during World War I, at Beaumont Hamel, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Remembrance ceremonies similar to those held on Remembrance Day are held in the morning at cenotaphs around the province; flags are usually at half-mast (and the atmosphere somewhat more sombre) until noon, when normal Canada Day ceremonies start.

On Dominion Day of 1923, the Chinese Immigration Act was granted Royal Assent. Until the act was repealed in 1947, many Chinese-Canadians referred to July 1 as "Humiliation Day", closed shops on that day, and boycotted Dominion Day celebrations.

Footnotes

External links

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Last updated on Thursday March 13, 2008 at 10:46:07 PDT (GMT -0700)
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