Canada Day is an opportunity to come together, to experience the diversity of cultures, the richness and beauty of the land. It is also a time to reflect on the meaning of our Canadian citizenship and to develop pride in our country.
July 1 also commemorates the British North America Act, now known as the Constitution Act, 1867, which created Canada. Since June 20, 1868, a proclamation enjoined citizens to celebrate July 1st. It was finally in 1879 that July 1st became a statutory holiday, known at the time as “Dominion Day”. This name was replaced in 1982 by “Canada Day”.
A number of events are being organized in Ottawa and in many cities across the country to mark this national holiday.