Joel Prunty, media manager, All-Canada Show – Next week Thursday is Canada Day – or as the French say “Fete du Canada” - which is celebrated every year on the 1st of July. Similar to our 4th of July holiday, Canada Day celebrates the creation of the Dominion of Canada through the British North America Act of 1867, which came into effect on July 1, 1867.
The holiday itself began in 1879 and was originally called Dominion Day, making reference to the Canadian-originated term 'dominion' to describe the political union with Britain, at a time when Canada’s founding fathers were hesitant to use a name such as the Kingdom of Canada. The holiday was changed to Canada Day on October 27, 1982.
It is a federal holiday across Canada celebrated by all provincial governments and most businesses across Canada. Quebec also has Moving Day on July 1st, due to the fact that most leases there begin and end on that day, where lots of people move and change residences. In Newfoundland and Labrador, July 1 is also recognized as Memorial Day and commemorates Newfoundland's heavy losses during World War I in the Battle of Beaumont Hamel as part of the Battle of the Somme.
For most Canadians Canada Day is a day of gathering with friends and family over a picnic, a few beers and some fireworks. Sounds like an American holiday to me! Happy Canada Day everyone!
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