Buzz
Almost time to celebrate Canada Day! On July 1, 1867, the nation was officially born when the Constitution Act united three provinces into a single country: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Canada province, which later split into Ontario and Quebec. However, Canada didn’t achieve full independence from England until 1982.
The holiday originally known as Dominion Day was formally established in 1879, but it wasn’t widely celebrated by many Canadians, who still saw themselves as British citizens. Dominion Day gained traction when the 50th anniversary of confederation was celebrated in 1917. In 1946, a proposal to rename Dominion Day was introduced, but disagreements over the new name in the House of Commons halted progress on the bill.
The centennial celebration in 1967 sparked a rise in Canadian patriotism, and Dominion Day festivities gained momentum. Although many Canadians had already referred to the holiday as Canada Day (or Fête du Canada), the official name wasn’t adopted until October 1982.
Ways to Celebrate Canada Day
There are plenty of ways to mark Canada Day. For starters, what’s a celebration of patriotism without a parade? Parades can be found in cities, towns, and villages across Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police showcase a group known as the Musical Ride. These 32 officers, who rotate out every three years, perform impressive equestrian drills for audiences all over the country.
Other Canada Day traditions gaining popularity include picnics, festivals, sporting events, and fireworks.
Canada Day events take place all across the nation, including in Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, and Victoria.
If you prefer to celebrate at home, why not try your hand at singing “O Canada”? You can find the lyrics here (and listen to the French version too).
