Canada Day 2019

Krishna Kumar July 01, 2019 1

History of Canada Day, The Creation of Canada Day, The Celebrations Start Canada Day, Canada Day 2019 Celebrations, Google Doodle Today: Canada Day Monday, 1 July 2019, Happy Canada Day 2019 Images, Whatsapp Message Reads, Canada Day GIFs.

History of Canada Day

Canada's national holiday is celebrated on July 1.

Canadians across the country and around the world show their pride in their history, culture and achievements. It's been a day of celebration, where many festivities are held across the country, since 1868.

The Creation of Canada Day

July 1, 1867: The British North America Act (today known as the Constitution Act, 1867) created Canada.

June 20, 1868: Governor General Lord Monck signs a proclamation that requests all Her Majesty's subjects across Canada to celebrate July 1.

1879: A federal law makes July 1 a statutory holiday as the "anniversary of Confederation," which is later called "Dominion Day."

October 27, 1982: July 1, "Dominion Day" officially becomes Canada Day.

The Celebrations Start Canada Day

July 1, 1917: The 50th anniversary of Confederation. The Parliament buildings, under construction, are dedicated to the Fathers of Confederation and to the courage of Canadians who fought in Europe during the First World War.

July 1, 1927: The 60th anniversary of Confederation. The Peace Tower Carillon is inaugurated. The Governor General at the time, Viscount Willingdon, lays the cornerstone of the Confederation Building on Wellington Street.

From 1958 to 1968: The government organizes celebrations for Canada's national holiday every year. The Secretary of State of Canada is responsible for coordinating these activities. A typical format includes a flag ceremony in the afternoon on the lawns of Parliament Hill and a sunset ceremony in the evenings, followed by a concert of military music and fireworks.

July 1, 1967: The 100th anniversary of Confederation. Parliament Hill is the backdrop for a high-profile ceremony, which includes the participation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

From 1968 to 1979: (with the exception of 1976): A large multicultural celebration is presented on Parliament Hill. This concert is broadcast on television across the country. The main celebrations (called "Festival Canada") are held in the National Capital Region throughout the month of July. These celebrations include many cultural, artistic and sport activities and involve the participation of various municipalities and volunteer associations.

From 1980 to 1983: A new format is developed. In addition to the festivities on Parliament Hill, the national committee (the group tasked by the federal government to plan the festivities for Canada's national holiday) starts to encourage and financially support the establishment of local celebrations across Canada. Start-up funding is provided to support popular activities and performances organized by volunteer groups in hundreds of communities. Interested organizations can make a request to the Celebrate Canada program.

1981: Fireworks light up the sky in 15 major Canadian cities, a tradition that continues today.

1984: The National Capital Commission (NCC) is given the mandate to organize Canada Day festivities in the capital.

2010: Festivities on Parliament Hill receive a royal treatment when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh join the festivities to celebrate Canada's 143rd anniversary.

2011: Their Royal Highnesses Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, participate in Canada Day festivities on Parliament Hill on the occasion of Canada's 144th anniversary.

2014: Canadian Heritage organizes the 147th Canada Day Celebrations. As we approach Canada's 150th anniversary in 2017, the government has given the Department the mandate to organize Canada Day festivities in the capital.

2017: A wide range of activities from coast-to-coast-to-coast are held to mark the 150th Anniversary of Confederation. Attending Canada Day for the first time, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall join in the festivities on Parliament Hill to mark this milestone anniversary with Canadians.

Canada Day 2019 Celebrations

Canada Day 2019 is Monday, July 1. This day is a statutory holiday, meaning a large percentage of the population gets the day off and in turn, many retailers, government offices, libraries, schools, and services shut down. Employees at most workplaces do not have to go to work but will still receive their regular pay.

Celebrations like fireworks and parades are generally held on this day. In major cities outside of Quebec, like Ottawa and Toronto, Ontario, and Vancouver, British Columbia, celebrations begin early in the day and continue into the evening, with concerts, games, and other festivities.

Ottawa, in particular, as the nation's capital, puts on a really big show every July 1. In 2010, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, attended the celebrations. In 2011, Prince William and his bride, Kate Middleton, made their way to Ottawa for Canada's 144th birthday party. In 2017, Canada turned it up a notch to honor its 150th anniversary.

Details

July 1 marks the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada; that's the technical explanation, but Canada Day also means fireworks and the year's biggest national party. The Canada Day holiday is comparable to the Fourth of July celebration in the U.S. but with slightly less hoopla and on a more "Canadian" scale.

What to Expect

Schools, Banks, Government Offices, and many other stores and businesses close on July 1. Most tourist destinations, including major shopping malls, will stay open. Expect some stores to have holiday hours. It's a good idea to call ahead to restaurants, stores, and tourist attractions to confirm Canada Day hours.

Typically, Canada Day celebrations include parades, fireworks, backyard barbecues, and other get-togethers. Many revelers wear red and white in honor of Canada's national colors.

In Quebec

In Quebec, Canada Day is not celebrated as fervently as in the rest of the country. Federal offices, schools, and banks are closed, but many people in Quebec look at July 1 as "moving day" because this date has been historically the end of lease agreements.

Google Doodle Today: Canada Day 2019

From Victoria to St. John’s, Iqaluit to Point Pelee, today is a time of celebration for the world’s second-largest country. Today’s Doodle, depicting the Bay of Fundy’s distinctive Hopewell Rocks, honors the 152nd anniversary of “Dominion Day,” a holiday commemorating Canada’s formation through the union of three British colonies. In 1982, the bilingual nation gained full independence from the UK, and the holiday was officially renamed Fête du Canada, or Canada Day.

For many Canadians, this festive occasion begins with a traditional pancake breakfast, topped with classic maple syrup. Most towns and cities organize parades and fireworks displays. In the capital city of Ottawa, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Musical Ride performs an intricately choreographed equestrian routine during a sunset flag-lowering ceremony the night before Canada Day, which culminates with a group performance of “O Canada,” the national anthem.

In the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, July 1st is also Memorial Day, a tribute to the troops who took part in the Battle of the Somme during World War I. Flags fly at half-mast in the morning in honor of their sacrifices before the fête commences.