A Canada Day Compendium

Every July 1, Canada holds a celebration much similar to the celebration of the Fourth of July, at least in terms of its history. Canada Day commemorates the formation of the Dominion of Canada, an event that took place on July 1, 1867 with the passing of the British North America act (BNA act). The BNA act united three British colonies, those of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and what was called the Province of Canada. The newly formed country was divided into four provinces, with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia maintaining their borders, and what had been the Province of Canada becoming Ontario and Quebec.

A year later, in 1868, a proclamation issued from Britain invited Canadians to celebrate the formation of their country as a form of unofficial holiday. Eleven years after the first ad hoc Canada Day, in 1879, Canada Day became an official holiday, but it wasn't called Canada Day. Originally, July 1 was celebrated as "Dominion Day" to commemorate the formation of the Dominion of Canada.

For most of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Dominion Day was not a very popular holiday. This was because most Canadians identified themselves more as British than Canadian, and were somewhat disinterested in celebrating Canada. This changed when Canada celebrated its centennial, on July 1, 1967, a day seen by many as an important date in Canada's history. Dominion Day in 1967 and onward was much more popular, with Canadians coast-to-coast celebrating with multi-cultural concerts, televised specials, and local activities.

In October of 1982, the name Dominion Day was officially changed to Canada Day. Many Canadians had already deemed the celebration "Canada Day" and had been referring to it as that for years, and the official change was in part recognition of that.

In present times, Canada Day has evolved to become a massive national celebration. Most cities organize festivals, typically involving fireworks, entertainment, and as many red decorations as can be found. Canadian flags of all shapes and sizes are seen everywhere as Canadians celebrate the great country in which they live. A traditional meal of pancakes and Canadian maple syrup is often featured at many local events.

Celebrations in Ottawa, Canada's capital, are especially glamorous and large as thousands of Canadians congregate at Parliament hill in celebration of Canada's birth. For 2007, the official Canada Day celebratory cite will be Rideau Hall, where the residence for the Canadian Governor General resides