Canada Day is a national holiday that is celebrated on July 1. It marks the day in 1867 when three colonies became a single entity called Canada within the British Empire.
From this date, the country was regarded as a self-governing region within the empire.
The holiday was originally called Dominion Day but was renamed in 1982 under the Canada Act, which meant the government in London could no longer make changes to constitutional law, creating full Canadian sovereignty.
What is Canada Day?
Canada Day marks an important milestone on the country's journey to independence. It is celebrated across the country and by Canadians living in other countries.
It is derived from the date that colonies Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick joined to become one country.
The region was self governed but within the British Empire.
What is the history behind the date?
An independence movement started to grow within Canada in the 1860s for three main reasons. There were calls for a national railway system and common defence policy, and people wanted fighting between the French and British to end. Both states were trying to colonise the region.
The maritime provinces, which were seeking a union, called a conference in 1864 attended by representatives from other provinces. After subsequent meetings, Canadian delegates travelled to London in 1866 to meet the British government to talk about unifying the region.
On July 1, 1867, the British North America Act was passed and the Dominion of Canada was established as a self-governing entity within the empire.
Within a decade the provinces of Manitoba and Prince Edward Island joined the federation and in 1885 the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed, making mass settlement across the area possible.
By the early 1980s, some Canadians were informally referring to the holiday as Canada Day. Some believed the celebration's original name Dominion Day was a holdover from the colonial era.
It was a controversial subject at the times with some arguing that it broke from tradition. However, the day was officially renamed after a private member's bill was passed through the House of Commons on July 9, 1982, two years after its first reading.
How is it celebrated in Canada and around the world?
After the British North America Act was passed, historical accounts recount that church bells were rung in celebration in Toronto and bonfires were lit and fireworks were set off.
Today, Canadians celebrate with outdoor public events in the form of parades, festivals and carnivals. There are also firework displays, concerts and even citizenship ceremonies.
How is Canada Day celebrated in London?
The Canada Day London Festival was the largest Canada Day celebration outside the country in 2013, with a record-breaking crowd of over 100,000.
This year the free family-friendly event takes place on June 29 in Trafalgar Square. Additionally, you’re invited to spend the day with Canadians in London on July 1 in the Leake Street Tunnels at Waterloo. There will be Canadian culture, food, live music and sport for all the family to enjoy.
