by Susan Keeping

Created on: June 17, 2008

Canada Day is celebrated on July 1st. It is in commemoration of the Canadian Confederation of 1867 when Canada became part of the British Commonwealth, which also includes such countries as Australia. Previously to 1867, Canada was just a collection of British North American provinces. Canada Day was established by Governor General, Lord Monck in 1868. The first official public celebration of Dominion Day was held on the 50th anniversary in 1917; the next celebration was in 1927. It has only been since 1958 that an annual celebration has been organized on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Canada Day was originally known as Dominion Day and was changed to Canada Day in 1982 by an act of Parliament.

If Canada Day falls on a weekend, workplaces will give their employees the Monday or the Friday off work. If the holiday falls on a weekday then only that day is a statutory holiday in which most businesses are closed.

Canada Day is always celebrated on July 1st and the official celebrations are coordinated by the Secretary of State of Canada. Originally, Canada Day celebrations included the Trooping of the Colour, a band concert and a fireworks display. Today, there is a much larger celebration that also includes a parade and a nationally televised concert featuring some of the best-known Canadian musicians, celebrities, politicians and other entertainers.

The government also provides funds for local celebrations of Canada Day. For example, in Toronto, Ontario there is always a picnic held in Queen's Park which is adjacent to the Ontario Legislative Assembly which is the seat of the provincial government. The celebration features a parade, five cent hot dogs, cake, music, and a meet and greet with the Governor General of Ontario. There are also fireworks displays held in various places throughout the city. Other cities in Canada have similar celebrations.

One special part of Canada Day is the swearing in of new citizens in mass ceremonies throughout the country. The biggest of these is held in Ottawa and is presided over by the Governor General of Canada.

Everyone celebrates Canada Day in their own way. Many neighbourhoods have community picnics, parties and fireworks celebrations. Many people celebrate in a more relaxed manner. It is only recently that you see more people hanging Canadian flags in front of their homes or from their apartment balconies on Canada Day. Most Canadians are more low-key about their celebration of Canada Day than Americans are about the Fourth of July.

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