Oh Canada! The Finer Points about Canada Day!

Courtesy of canada-day.funmunch.com

The countdown to Canada day is on. It literally is just around the corner. And for Canadians that means celebration time. Canada Day is celebrated on July 1st and is a national holiday. This year Canada Day is commemorating the country’s 147th birthday.

On this day Canadians will be demonstrating their red and white pride by enjoying the summer outdoors, delicious BBQ’s, fun fireworks and spending time with family and friends.

Why Canadians Celebrate Canada Day

Canada Day marks the anniversary of the Constitution Act of 1867. Celebrating the union of the confederation; dividing Quebec and Ontario and the merging of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on July 1st, 1867.

Canada happens to be the second largest country (after Russia) in the world. And for the country Canada Day is a time for celebrating Canada and Canadians and what makes them special.

13 Fun facts about Canada and Canada Day

• The first Canada Day celebration took place in 1958.
• In the beginning Canada Day was known as Dominion Day. On October 27, 1982, the Canada Act inspired a name change.
• In 1980 “O Canada” became the country’s “official” National Anthem.
• Canada has the only multilingual national anthem world-wide.
• On July 1, 1958 TV was transmitted nationally by the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
• On July 1st, 1967 colour television was first introduced to Canadians.
• Canada comes from the Iroquoian word “Kanata” translated means “village”
• In 1965 the Union Jack Flag (representing Great Britain) was replaced by the national flag of Canada.
• The US and Canada share the longest boarder in the world.
• Prior to 1980 Canada Day was only celebrated in the nation’s capital Ottawa. From 1980 on Canada’s birthday has been celebrated everywhere across the country.
• The highest civilian honor, The Order of Canada, was established on Canada Day 1968.
• Canada is made up of ten provinces and three territories.
• Canada lands 9th in population density and has the 14th largest GNP (Gross National Product) worldwide.

In honor of Canada’s birthday I will leave you with the words of former president Bill Clinton. “In a world darkened by ethnic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect.” Happy Canada Day!