Canada Day is the celebration of the anniversary of the enactment of the British North American Act on July 1st, 1867, which united three British colonies into one country called Canada.
Canada Day was made a federal statutory holiday in 1879, which was then known as Dominion Day.
On the day of confederation in 1867, it was celebrated with the ringing of the bells at the Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto, along with bonfires, fireworks, military displays, and music.
July 1st was the day set for multiple important events following confederation, such as the first national radio hookup by the Canada National Railway in 1927, the first colour TV transmission in 1966, and the establishment of O’ Canada as the national anthem in 1980.
Prior to confederation in 1858, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker requested a budget of $14,000 dollars for the celebrations, which would be over $300,000 today.
On the 100th anniversary of Confederation in 1967, Queen Elizabeth II attended celebrations on Parliament Hill.
The name Dominion Day was officially changed to Canada Day on October 27th, 1982.
Changing the name from Dominion Day to Canada Day, many politicians, journalists, and authors were upset and claimed it was an unnecessary break of tradition.
Both Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario have celebrated both Canada Day and the US’ Independence Day.
In Newfoundland, Canada Day and Memorial Day are celebrated on the same day.