Rob_Haswell's Blog

One of the many things I enjoy as a Canadian/American ( that is how I see myself these days ) is a whiz bang party week to kick off July!

Of course, I will be joining you in celebrating the July 4th holiday - my kids are even in our local parade but I'll also be celebrating Canada Day on July 1st!

What's that? 

Short answer:  July 4th for Canadians.

Semi short answer:  It commemorates the date in 1867 when what was then Upper and Lower Canada came together to form a new and independent nation called simply Canada.

If one were to ignore the obvious flag differences, you probably wouldn't be able to tell a Canada Day party from a July 4th party.  All the same things occur.  Backyard barbecues are common although with more back bacon and fewer brats.  Fireworks are a standard with huge shows in most of the major cities.  Parades are also a part of the fun as people dress themselves up in Red and White and people run around drawing little maple leaves on your face!  Community picnics are big but so are family get togethers and just like here you're likely to see a backyard football game - just with a larger ball - or maybe some street hockey with friends and family.

In my almost 3 years in Milwaukee I have made contact with a few fellow Canadians who, like me, have found a home here in Wisconsin so to you I say Happy Canada Day and I extend that to anyone looking for another excuse to party this week!

If you're still reading and still interested, the really really long answer to the question of "What is Canada Day?" is below.  It is from the official Canadian Heritage site so you'll see some different spellings on some words like "colour".

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On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty's loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1st.

The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day.

On the 50th anniversary of Confederation in 1917, the new Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, was dedicated as a memorial to the Fathers of Confederation and to the valour of Canadians fighting in the First World War in Europe.

The next big celebration was held in 1927 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation. It was highlighted by the laying of the cornerstone by the Governor General of the Confederation Building on Wellington Street and the inauguration of the Carillon in the Peace Tower.

Since 1958, the government has arranged for an annual observance of Canada's national day with the Secretary of State of Canada in charge of the coordination. The format provided for a Trooping the Colours ceremony on the lawn of Parliament Hill in the afternoon, a sunset ceremony in the evening followed by a mass band concert and fireworks display.

Another highlight was Canada's Centennial in 1967 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the celebrations with Parliament Hill again being the backdrop for a large scale official ceremony.

The format changed in 1968 with the addition of multicultural and professional concerts held on Parliament Hill including a nationally televised show. Up until 1975, the focus of the celebrations, under the name "Festival Canada", was held in the National Capital Region during the whole month of July and involved numerous cultural, artistic and sport activities, as well as municipalities and voluntary organizations. The celebration was cancelled in 1976 but was reactivated in 1977.

A new formula was developed in 1980 whereby the National Committee (the federal government organization charged with planning Canada's Birthday celebrations) stressed and sponsored the development of local celebrations all across Canada. "Seed money" was distributed to promote popular and amateur activities organized by volunteer groups in hundreds of local communities. The same approach was also followed for the 1981 celebrations with the addition of fireworks displays in 15 major cities across the nation.

On October 27, 1982, July 1st which was known as "Dominion Day" became "Canada Day".

Since 1985, Canada Day Committees are established in each province and territory to plan, organize and coordinate the Canada Day celebrations locally. Grants are provided by the Department to those committees.

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I told you it was the LONG answer! :-)