Canada Day: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:OttawaRCMP01.jpg|thumb|280px|right|Annually on Canada Day, festivities abound: in [[Ottawa]], the national capital, celebrations on [[Parliament Hill]] include the Musical Ride of the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]]]] |
[[Image:OttawaRCMP01.jpg|thumb|280px|right|Annually on Canada Day, festivities abound: in [[Ottawa]], the national capital, celebrations on [[Parliament Hill]] include the Musical Ride of the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]]]] |
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'''Canada Day''' ([[French language|French]]: ''Fête du Canada'') is [[Canada]]'s [[national holiday]]. It is a federal holiday celebrated on [[July 1]], annually, by all provincial governments and most businesses across Canada. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Canada Day celebrates the creation of the [[Dominion]] of [[Canada]] through the [[Constitution Act, 1867|British North America Act]] on [[July 1]], [[1867]], uniting three [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|British]] territories — the [[Province of Canada]] (southern [[Ontario]] and southern [[Quebec]]), [[Nova Scotia]], and [[New Brunswick]] — into a [[federation]]. (See [[Canadian Confederation]].) |
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[[Image:Canada_Day_2000_Wellington.jpg|left|thumb|180px|Canada Day on a street in Ottawa]] |
[[Image:Canada_Day_2000_Wellington.jpg|left|thumb|180px|Canada Day on a street in Ottawa]] |
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The holiday itself was formally established in [[1879]] and was originally called ''[[Dominion Day]]'', making reference to the term "dominion," which was first used to describe a political union within the |
The holiday itself was formally established in [[1879]] and was originally called ''[[Dominion Day]]'', making reference to the term "dominion," which was first used to describe a political union within the British Empire for Canada, at a time when some in the British government were hesitant to adopt the name proposed by the [[Fathers of Confederation]]: Kingdom of Canada. The name was changed to ''Canada Day'' on [[27 October]] [[1982]], largely harking of the adoption of the earlier [[Canada Act 1982]]. |
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On Dominion Day [[1923]], the [[Chinese Immigration Act of 1923]] went into effect. Until the act was repealed in 1947, many [[Chinese-Canadian]]s referred to [[1 July]] as "Humiliation Day" and refused to celebrate Canada's birthday. |
On Dominion Day [[1923]], the [[Chinese Immigration Act of 1923]] went into effect. Until the act was repealed in 1947, many [[Chinese-Canadian]]s referred to [[1 July]] as "Humiliation Day" and refused to celebrate Canada's birthday. |
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Revision as of 22:57, 25 May 2006
Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada) is Canada's national holiday. It is a federal holiday celebrated on July 1, annually, by all provincial governments and most businesses across Canada.
History
Canada Day celebrates the creation of the Dominion of Canada through the British North America Act on July 1, 1867, uniting three British territories — the Province of Canada (southern Ontario and southern Quebec), Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick — into a federation. (See Canadian Confederation.)
The holiday itself was formally established in 1879 and was originally called Dominion Day, making reference to the term "dominion," which was first used to describe a political union within the British Empire for Canada, at a time when some in the British government were hesitant to adopt the name proposed by the Fathers of Confederation: Kingdom of Canada. The name was changed to Canada Day on 27 October 1982, largely harking of the adoption of the earlier Canada Act 1982.
On Dominion Day 1923, the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 went into effect. Until the act was repealed in 1947, many Chinese-Canadians referred to 1 July as "Humiliation Day" and refused to celebrate Canada's birthday.
Quebec also has Moving Day on 1 July, due to the fact that most leases there begin and end on that day, with many people changing residences.
Newfoundland and Labrador Memorial Day
In Newfoundland and Labrador, 1 July is recognised as Memorial Day, and commemorates the Newfoundland Regiment's heavy losses during World War I, at Beaumont Hamel, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Activities
Canada Day is generally marked by patriotic celebrations. Most cities have organized celebrations, with entertainment usually having a Canadian theme, and often featuring fireworks. Canadian flags abound, and some individuals paint their faces in Canadian national colours (red and white).
Montreal is known to have the largest celebration in the country, which sometimes exceeds 500,000 people at the Old Port alone. In 2004, $5 million of the $7.25 million total budget for Canada Day festivities was spent in the province of Quebec by the Federal governement; comparatively the province of Ontario and British-Columbia received $691,000 and $313,000 respectively.[1]
The celebrations in Ottawa are particularly lavish. Every Canada Day, hundreds of thousands gather on Parliament Hill to celebrate Canada's birth. Official celebrations are held throughout the national capital, 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 of Canada, Queen Elizabeth II has attended Canada Day ceremonies in 1990, 1992, and 1997. Prior to this the Queen had helped celebrate Canada's 100th anniversary on July 1, 1967.
Trivia
- One time-honoured American schoolkids' riddle is, "Does Canada have a Fourth of July?" (Equating the expression "Fourth of July" with "Independence Day")
- The answer is, "Yes, only it comes on the First!"
- Canada Day is always observed on July 1st unless that date falls on a Sunday, in which case it is observed the following day. (Though many people still celebrate on the Sunday).