I hope my fellow Canadian’s have an enjoyable Canada Day.
For those who do not know what Canada Day is, here is some background info….
Canada Day marks the creation of the Dominion of Canada through the British North America Act on July 1, 1867, uniting three British colonies—the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Canada. The three colonies united to form one country divided into four provinces. The Province of Canada became Ontario and Quebec (see Canadian Confederation).
Canada Day on Wellington Street, in front of the Château Laurier, in Ottawa – A proclamation was issued by Governor General Lord Monck, on June 20, 1868, asking for “all Her Majesty’s loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1.”
The holiday was formally established by statute 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 the British government was hesitant to adopt the name proposed by the Fathers of Confederation: Kingdom of Canada.
Dominion Day was not a particularly prominent holiday in its early inceptions; in the late 19th and early 20th 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, the golden anniversary of Confederation, and then none again until ten years later. 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 of July 1, 1967 is often seen as an important day in the history of Canadian patriotism, and Canada’s maturity as a distinct, independent country. Post-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, largely harking back to the adoption of the earlier Canada Act 1982. However, many Canadians had already been informally referring to the holiday as “Canada Day” for a number of years before the official name change.
Under the federal Holidays Act, Canada Day is always observed on July 1 unless that date falls on a Sunday, in which case it is officially observed on July 2. Most provinces observe the statutory holiday on July 2 in that situation as well, although events generally take place on July 1 even though it is not legal.
If it falls on a Saturday, the following Sunday is generally also a day off for those businesses ordinarily closed on Saturdays.