59 Canada Day Facts: Learn More About Canada's Independence Day

When in Canada, it is impossible to not be excited about Canada Day!

Imagine a day full of fun activities, tasty food, outdoor sports, festivals, and a parade. That's a great mental picture, right? Well, that's exactly what Canada Day looks like!

Even though it was a federal law that asked people to have Canada Day celebrated, this holiday took wonderful colors after the initial awkwardness around it was gone. Canada Day marks the joining of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Canada to form one nation.

It also marks the day when Canada gained partial independence. Eventually, the list of reasons to celebrate the day would increase and Canada Day would also become a celebration of the first Constitution! Keep reading to know more about Canada Day!

Facts About Canada Day

Almost every country around the world that was once colonized has some customs when it comes to celebrating its independence and Canada is no different. Canada Day has the same significance as July 4 in America, when it comes to the concept behind the celebration.

It celebrates the constitution, Canadian unity, and the country's independence from British dominion. Canada Day was not as much of a deal for Canadians initially but the celebrations picked up pace in the early years of the 20th century.

• Canada Day is a statutory holiday that is observed all around the country.
• Even the Queen of England seems to have a knack for Canada Day.
• Interestingly, she has attended many Canada Day celebrations, and so have Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton.
• This day holds a special place for all Canadians since it is in memory of an important day in Canadian history.
• This day not only celebrates the country's independence but also its unity.
• It was on July 1, 1867, that the country was first formed and granted the status of being a semi-independent country.
• On this day, the British Parliament gave the federal government of Canada the right to govern internal matters.
• However, some of the matters such as defense against foreign forces would remain with the British until the year 1982.
• Since this event of 1867, Canada was established as an independent country under the dominion of the British Empire, it was initially named Dominion Day.
• In the early years, the holiday was not widely celebrated as a lot of people struggled to make their peace with the shift in dynamics.
• However, the celebrations started becoming widespread by 1917.
• The changing of the name for this public holiday was proposed in the middle of the 20th century since most Canadians did not identify with 'Dominion Day'.
• Even before the name change could be made official, people started to celebrate this national day as Canada Day.
• In 1982, the holiday was officially named Canada Day.
• In the same year, Canada was given full freedom and full sovereignty and separated from the British empire.
• The celebration of Canada day every year is on July 1.
• However, the holiday may be observed on July 2 if July 1 happens to be a Sunday. If you ask us, this is simply delightful!
• It is through a federal law that July 1 was first observed as Dominion day and eventually as Canada Day!
• The then Governor-General, Lord Monck, signed a proclamation in the year 1868 that asked the people of Canada to start July 1 as the 'anniversary of Confederation'. The name was later changed to 'Dominion Day'.
• It was also on this day that 'O Canada' became the national anthem of Canada.
• The first prime minister of Canada, Sir John MacDonald, was also appointed on this day. He was also given the title of a knight on the same day making him 'Sir'.
• The present prime minister is Justin Trudeau.
• French Canadians or people in Quebec have a separate set of celebrations on June 24, which is recognized as Saint Jean Baptiste Day!
• By the time the 100th anniversary of Canada Day rolled around, everyone became more than happy to celebrate with their friends and family.
• Canada Day is held close to the people's hearts, as they go for parades and whip up some pancakes!

Canada Day's Significance

Canada Day is a significant part of the history of the country. Unlike many countries which went through a lot of struggles to gain freedom, Canada and the territories that make it up today had a fairly simpler time at gaining independence.

In fact, the country also spent over a century as an independent country under British dominion. Unlike other colonies, Canadians did not particularly dislike the British people and had a considerably easy time at gaining independence!

• The people of the nation celebrate Canada day in honor of many things. Primarily, Canada Day is a celebration of Canada's unity and independence.
• July 1 marks the day when Canada became a dominion of the parliament of Great Britain.
• Canada day celebrates the Constitution Act of 1879, which was Canada's first constitution and called it a dominion.
• This day also celebrates the unity between the territories that make up the nation, since it was on July 1, 1867, that New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, the lower and upper Canada came together to form a nation.
• The first prime minister of Canada was also appointed on this day.
• Canada presently consists of 13 regions divided into provinces and territories.
• The number of provinces is 10 whereas the number of territories is three.
• However, the country's history also recounts how the citizens were unable to celebrate Canada Day enthusiastically since they considered themselves to be British people.
• The British Empire spread its reach to Canada in the hopes of limiting France's overseas expeditions.
• Canada and the neighboring territories became a part of the British colonies in the 18th century.

Activities On Canada Day

Canada Day is a celebration of the country's independence and unity, which is carried out in the most enthusiastic way possible!

• Even if you are not a Canadian, the enthusiasm in the air when Canada Say rolls around will force you to engage in the elaborate activities performed on this national holiday!
• The Canadian flag is seen all across the sky as people celebrate the day almost as if it were Canada's birthday, which it symbolically is!
• Many Canadians go as far as painting their faces in red and white, which are the colors of the Canadian flag.
• The day typically starts with pancakes and maple syrup because how would any celebration as huge as the country's birthday be complete without adding some extremely sweet maple syrup!
• Most Canadians also take part in the parades or at least watch them on the television.
• In British Columbia, Canada Day is just the right time to have some chilled beers.
• Can you believe that at least 1.3 million gal (500,000 l) of beer is consumed by Canadians in order to celebrate Canada Day? No wonder everyone looks so happy!
• This national day is also celebrated by singing the national anthem 'O Canada' and by eating some of the quintessential Canadian foods!
• The Canadian government has a rather beautiful unsaid rule that if Canada Day happens on a weekend, the following Monday is to be a legal holiday!
• On this day, the shops, government offices are closed. Only the parks and the tourist spots are open.
• The Prime Minister is often joined by the Royal family in the Canada Day celebrations.
• In recent years, the Queen and her grandchild, Prince William, have made appearances in order to celebrate this statutory holiday with Canadians.
• Several sporting events are also held on this day, which allows everyone to have a jolly good time.
• It is not uncommon for families to gather and have an entire day of having fun.
• Several festivals take place on Canada Day.
• The World's Fair of 1967 in Montreal was one of the most successful ones in history since it took place on Canada Day!
• Even though many Canadians did not initially celebrate this day, that is hardly the case in the present times!

Canada Day's History

By the British North America Act of 1867, Canada became an independent country under the dominion of the British on July 1, 1867. This day is celebrated all across Canada as on this day same both lower and upper Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick joined to form a single country.

The British North America Act may not have given Canadians full governance over their land, but it was an important milestone that eventually led to complete independence in the year 1982.

• Canada and the adjoining areas were made parts of the British empire to seize control of the areas from the French. This was done during the 18th century.
• The French had been the colonizers of the land ever since the 15th century.
• Eventually, in the year 1867, the British parliament passed the British North America Act which gave Canada the title of an independent nation under the dominion of the British.
• The next year, the Governor-General ordered through a federal law that the day be observed as the 'anniversary of Confederation' by all Canadians.
• July 1 came to be observed as 'Dominion Day' since 1879 since it was also the celebration of the Constitution Act which called the nation a dominion.
• The name of the national day was changed in 1982 and began to be celebrated as Canada Day.
• In the year 1982, Canada was granted full sovereignty by the British Parliament and the British North America Act was repatriated.