Page created on : November 17, 1999
Last updated : May 24, 2005

Canada Post first began celebrating Canada Day in 1979. This tradition has continued every year since.

From July 1, 1867, the official date of the union of the provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, until 1878 our national holiday was known as Confederation Day. In 1879 it was designated as Dominion Day to reflect the official name of the country. «Dominion of Canada» was the name used to describe the federation established by the Bristish North America Act.

In 1888, Canada's 21st national day was celebrated with a banquet held in London, England. It was so successful that it bacame an annual tradition. In 1893, July 1st was declared «Canadian Day» at the Chicago World' Fair.

Over the years the name Dominion began to present a problem because if has no satisfactory equivalent in the French language. On October 27, 1982, by an Act of Parliament, the designation of our national holiday was changed from Dominion to Canada Day. However even before the official act was passed, many Canadians had already adopted the name.

Today Canada Day is more than just a day off for most Canadians. It is now the occasion for elaborate cultural and entertainment spectacles, often sponsored by the federal fovernment to foster Canadian unity.

Maple trees of Canada
Group of Seven
Provincial and territorial parks