Do you know what Canada Day is? It’s Canada’s national day and is a federal holiday celebrating the July 1, 1867 enactment of the British North America Act (now called the Constitution Act 1867). This united two British colonies and a province of the British Empire into a single country called Canada. In French it’s called Fete du Canada.
Canada Day has been called a few names in the past. It used to be known as Dominion Day, the First of July, Confederation Day and July the First. Canada wasn’t born on July 1st, but the holiday celebrates the events that took place on this day.
In 1982, Dominion Day changed to Canada Day after a vote in Parliament. Not everyone was happy about this change. Some people felt that a 115 year-old part of Canadian heritage was lost. But, the new name stuck and every July 1st, Canadians celebrate Canada Day.
Today, Canada Day is celebrated with fireworks, concerts, cookouts, and sports games. Canada’s capital, Ottawa, Ontario, hosts the most holiday activities. There are countless events, activities, and festivals to be found throughout the city in the city streets, parks,and museums. Fireworks are launched from Parliament Hill to conclude a day of patriotic festivities. For more information about Canada Day’s history, click here.
The following are some interesting facts about Canada:
Canada was named from the Huron and Iroquois word kanata, which means village.- Canada has approximately three million lakes across the country. More than 30,000 of those lakes are larger than three square kilometers.
- Princess Juliana of the Netherlands gave Ottawa 100,000 tulip bulbs as a thank-you gift in 1945 for keeping the Dutch Royal Family safe during World War II. The Nazis occupied the Netherlands until Canadian soldiers liberated the country in 1944-45.
- The Bank of Canada issued the last $1 bill in 1989. It was replaced by the one-dollar coin, known as the loonie, which came out in 1987.
- The world’s only flying saucer launching pad is in St. Paul, Alberta. It was built in 1967.
- The largest mall in the world is the West Edmonton Mall in Alberta. It has over 800 stores and restaurants, an amusement park, the world’s largest indoor lake with four working submarines, 26 movie theaters and a hockey-sized ice arena.
- More than 75% of the world’s maple syrup comes from Canada.
Clay Aiken has performed many times in Canada. He was there for the American Idol Tour during Season 2 and he has brought some of his tours to Canada. He also knows Canada because of his close relationship with two Canadian friends, David Foster and Jaymes Foster…. And his son is 1/2 Canadian!!
Clay was a judge for David Foster’s Star Search and was a big hit. The event took place at the River Rock Casino Resort in Redmond, BC on September 9th, 2006. The next night, David hosted the “David Foster and Friends Charity Gala.” Clay Aiken was a performer that night and helped David raise money for his charity by being a part of an auction.
On August 25, 2005, Clay performed at the Molson Amphitheater in Toronto as a part of his Jukebox Tour. It was a huge success!!
We all wish the best to all of our Canadian Friends. Have a wonderful day!!
