Canada Day

We would like to begin by acknowledging the Indigenous Peoples of the land on which we stand today. We gather on the lands of the traditional territory of the Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Métis, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

July 1st commemorates the anniversary of the Constitution Act of Canada that united the three territories of past Upper and Lower Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into a self-governing dominion under the British Empire on July 1st, 1867.
  • 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 news

References:

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