Canada Day is celebrated as the symbolic birthday of the country, because on July 1, 1867, the British North America Act proclaimed it a Dominion of the British Empire. In fact, the province of Canada had already existed before the act, and the country did not gain its full independence in the 19th century. In 1867, however, Canada became an almost completely self-governed entity consisting of three ex-British territories: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Canada (later divided into Quebec and Ontario).

Initially, the date was called Dominion Day, but the name was controversially changed into Canada Day in 1982. The conservatives disliked the new name and perceived it as weak and unnecessarily rid of historical meaning; moreover, the House of Commons passed the bill understaffed, with less Members of Parliament than necessary. After the bill had passed, two times did the opposition try to reinstate the name “Dominion Day”: in 1996 and 2012.

Nowadays, Canada Day is the national holiday in Canada, and all provinces and territories recognize it.

The first celebration of Canada Day was a spontaneous outburst of joy at the news that Canada’s statute has changed; it took place that memorable day on July 1, 1867, long before the holiday was created. Apart from military and civilian parades and fireworks, the important symbol of that celebration were the ringing bells at the Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto. Next year, Governor General the Viscount Monck put into motion the idea to make it an annual event; it was not until May 15, 1879, though, that Dominion Day was officially established. Nationwide celebrations were held only on the half-century anniversary and a decade later, meaning 1917 and 1927. The federal government started to organize elaborated celebrations of the holiday in 1958, and the 1967 centennial Dominion Day is now considered to be an important event, affirming the meaning of Canadian nationalism. The first person to suggest a change of name for the holiday was a Quebec MP Philéas Côté, whose 1946 private bill was declined. The main reason for the transition in 1982 was that the term “dominion” was reminiscent of the colonial era. Nowadays, Canada Day is celebrated all over the world; apart from expatriates, also British citizens take part in annual events honoring Canada on Trafalgar Square.

The most popular forms of celebration are outdoor events: concerts, fireworks, parades etc. Canadian flag is omnipresent on that day, whether it hangs on federal buildings or is painted on faces and shirts. Although every province and territory celebrates on its own, the nation’s capitol, Ottawa, always prepares a special happening, featuring famous politicians and other prominent figures. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police perform their special march. The citizens orchestrate picnics, sporting events, and spontaneous singing of “O Canada”, the national anthem.

Canada Day is a merry occasion, with the exception of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, where July 1 also marks Memorial Day. This holiday is a commemoration of the Battle of the Somme, which took many Canadian lives during World War I. That is why in this province, the first half of the day is solemn and melancholic, with Canadian flags displayed at half mast.

Another special case concerning Canada Day may be observed in Quebec, which celebrates its own National Holiday on June 24, and often chooses to ignore the importance of Canada Day. Moreover, July 1 in Quebec is also called Moving Day, because home leases take effect on that day. These circumstances diminish the widely recognized national holiday’s significance.

Canada Day is a statutory holiday; apart from public institutions and the post office, most businesses are closed. No students attend their classes due to summer vacation. Whenever July 1 falls on a Sunday, the holiday is observed on the following Monday. Some businesses choose to take the day off on Monday, if July 1 falls on a Saturday. All regulations concerning Canada Day occur in the Holidays Act; it is possible for provinces and territories, however, to undermine or challenge some of its decrees. Either way, July 1 remains the most important holiday that bonds Canadian citizens and is the foundation of their national pride.