July is an important month for much of North America. While the Unites States celebrates its independence on July 4th, Canada kicks off the patriotic party a few days earlier with its own special holiday.
Each July 1st, Canada celebrates Canada Day, marking the British North America Act (today known as the Constitution Act), which went into effect on July 1, 1867. This act established the country of Canada with its initial provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Canada (which would later become Ontario and Quebec). The provinces asked to form one Dominion with a Constitution similar in principle to that of the United Kingdom. British Parliament passed the legislation, and Canada became a new, domestically self-governing federation.
Nearly a year later, on June 20, 1868, Governor Lord Charles Stanley Monck signed a proclamation that requested all Her Majesty’s subjects across Canada to celebrate July 1 in honour of the establishment of the country. Monck served as the last Governor General of the Province of Canada and the first Governor General of the country of Canada after the Canadian Confederation.
In 1879, a federal law made July 1 a statutory holiday as the “anniversary of Confederation,” which would later be called “Dominion Day.” The holiday further evolved on October 27, 1982, when Dominion Day was renamed Canada Day.”
Each year, Canada Day is a marked by many difference celebrations. A flag ceremony on the lawns of Parliament Hill, military music and fireworks are typical Canada Day festivities. At home, individuals host barbecues and proudly display their flags.