- Since 1867, Canada has expanded to the 13 provinces and territories we know today, the most recent to join the union being Nunavut, in 1999.
- Canada Day marks the proclamation of Canada's independence after the British parliament put the British North America Act into effect, making the nation 155 years old in 2022.
Historical Facts:
- On July 1, 1867 John A. MacDonald became the first Prime Minister of Canada.
- On July 1, 1967 The 100th anniversary of Confederation was celebrated with a high-profile ceremony upon Parliament Hill, it included the participation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
- July 1 was previously called "Dominion Day" and was changed to "Canada Day" on October 27, 1982. On July 1, 1980 "O Canada" became Canada's official national anthem and was originally written in French.
Since 2013, Canada day has marked the first day of Canada History week, a day to encourage citizens to learn more about our nation. A week spent visiting museums, memorials, monuments, and important sites throughout the first week of July. People celebrate with outdoor activities such as, festivals, fireworks, parades, live music, sporting events, picnics.
Some of the biggest Canada Day celebrations:
- Surrey Canada Day, Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre, Vancouver
- Carnival, music, entertainment, indignous cultural appreciation
- Canada day fireworks at Canada's wonderland, Vaughn, Ontario
- One of the biggest canada day celebration in the GTA hosted yearly by the popular amusement park
- Ottawa, capital city of Canada
- Historically celebrated on Parliament hill, but relocated to LeBreton Flats Park in front of the Canadian War Museum for 2022 renovations
Our shared Canadian values are to respect, serve, be compassionate, and carry out equality and justice. We celebrate a population of enormous ethnic variety that represents our tolerant attitudes towards multiculturalism and diversity. On this day we recognize and give thought to our past and what signifies our union as a single independent nation.
Images from: Insauga.ca and Mississauga newsReferences:
- Canada Day - July 1. National Today. (2022, March 8). Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://nationaltoday.com/canada-day/
- Government of Canada. (2021, May 13). History of Canada Day. Canada.ca. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/canada-day-history.html