by Bobby Wenzoski

Created on: June 19, 2008   Last Updated: July 04, 2008

July first of every year in Canada is the Birth celebration this great Multi-cultural nation. Canada day is a national holiday in Canada; where every citizen within Canada and all around the world are welcome to join in the celebration, near of far wherever you are.

Canada's name comes from the Huron-Iroquoian word "kanata" or village. Jacques Cartier recorded the name due to a language barrier misunderstanding.

Four British colonies united to form Canada on July 1, 1867; Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Lower Canada (Quebec) and Upper Canada (Ontario).

Canada is now a federation of 10 provinces consisting of (including their Capitol Cities in brackets):

Alberta (Edmonton), British Columbia (Victoria), Manitoba (Winnipeg), New Brunswick (Fredericton), Newfoundland and Labrador(St. John's), Northwest Territories (Yellowknife), Nova Scotia (Halifax), Nunavut (Iqaluit), Ontario (Toronto), Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown), Quebec (Quebec City), Saskatchewan (Regina), Yukon Territory (Whitehorse).

John McDonald (Canada's first Prime Minister) on July 1st ,1867 was sworn as a knight.
A royal proclamation asking all Canadians to partake in a celebration of the birth of Canada on June 20th, 1868 by Governor General Lord Monck was issued, but was not enforced.

Law was passed in 1879 deeming that a holiday had been established to celebrate the birth of Canada, it was called Dominion Day. This statute also finally gave us the formal name "Canada". Unlike the USA; nothing has survived of any record showing that Dominion Day had ever been celebrated except twice.

Canada abolished slavery of all human beings with the: Slavery Abolition Act 1833.
The Underground Railroad (it's highest traffic point was between 1810 to 1850) this was a network of secret routes and safe houses used by black slaves escaping slavery from the United States to Canada. Aided by abolitionists, some reported estimates are that 100,000 people escaped enslavement, and became Canadian Citizens.

The Dominion of Canada was founded finally in 1841, slowly other provinces joined, the last was Newfoundland in 1949, making the total is 10 provinces that make up Canada.
July first 1916 Newfoundland held a memorial service Canada Day for a First World War regiment which was virtually wiped out at Beaumont-Hamel, France.

Newfoundland celebrates their memorial day July 1st.

Ontario remembers the destruction of 10 villages when the St Lawrence Seaway flooded on July 1st, 1958.

Dominion Day (Canada Day) celebrated officially in

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