by Shilo Dawn Goodson

Created on: June 30, 2008

Canada Day, celebrated on July 1, is sometimes called "Canada's Birthday," but some people don't know the significance of this day. There are some things you may or may not know about Canada Day.

1. It was not officially called Canada Day until October 27, 1982. Since a 1879 statute it had been called Dominion Day.

2. Canada Day marks the joining of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada. This happened on July 1, 1867. At the time, the Province of Canada was split into Ontario and Quebec.

3. On this day in 1873, Prince Edward Island joined the Canadian Confederation.

4. The holiday was not dominant in the Canadian calendar until the early 20th century, and many Canadians did not celebrate it, because they felt they were still British.

5. On this day, many Canadian communities will hold citizenship ceremonies for new citizens. During this ceremony, new citizens swear their loyalty to Canada by reciting the oath and then signing it.

6. Since 1959, Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, have held an International Freedom Festival where there is a five day celebration of the combined holidays of the American Independence Day and the Canadian's Canada Day (or Dominion Day). There is a huge fireworks display over the Detroit River, the waterway separating the two cities. Since 1987, a festival similar to the International Freedom Festival has been held by Fort Erie, Ontario, and Buffalo, New York. This festival is called the Friendship Festival. It's held from June 29th to July 4th. It celebrates not only the two national holidays but marks the celebration of nearly 200 years of peace between the neighboring countries. Every year, a big-name band plays at the Friendship Festival with Aerosmith playing in 2007.

7. July 2nd is the legal holiday when July 1st falls on a Sunday. Celebrations normally still take place on the 1st although it is not officially a holiday.

8. In 1967, Queen Elizabeth II attended Canada's Centennial celebration held on Parliament Hill. After this, celebrations of the holiday became more popular with the average Canadian. Queen Elizabeth II was also at the 1990, 1992, and 1997 celebrations.

9. "O, Canada" became Canada's national anthem in 1980.

10. Canada Day Committees have been in place since 1985 in every territory and providence in Canada. They are there to plan and coordinate local celebrations of Canada Day.

There are also a few interesting things that have happened on Canada Day that don't necessarily have to do with Canada

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