A wee history lesson for us all...
July 1st marks the day Canada began its establishment of the Canadian confederation through the 1867 British North America Act. It united the three British colonies - the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Canada. These three colonies united to form one country divided into four provinces. The province of Canada became Ontario and Quebec. The holiday was formally established by statute in 1879 and originally it was called Dominion Day.
Dominion Day was not a prominent holiday in it's early inceptions due to most Canadians thinking of themselves as primarily British. It was not until 1958 when the Canadian government started to orchestrate celebrations. It would start with the 'Trooping the Colours' on Parliament Hill in the afternoon and in the evening a mass band and fireworks display.
In 1967 Canada celebrated it's centennial and it was an important date as it showed how Canada had matured into a distinct, independent country. Over the next 15 years the celebrations became more popular with average Canadians. On October 27, 1982 Dominion Day officially changed to Canada Day. But many Canadians had already been calling it that for several years before the change.
Today is Canada's 140th birthday and I just wanted to wish each and every Canadian a happy Canada Day/Fête du Canada!
