Celebrations
Canada Day is the main patriotic holiday celebrated in Canada. Much like the Independence Day celebrations in the United States, Canada Day activities are held in communities across the nation and include parades, free concerts, arts festivals, barbecues and fireworks displays. Citizenship ceremonies for new citizens are held at Parliament Hill in the nation's capital of Ottawa and in several provincial capitals.
History
Although declared a holiday by statute in 1879, commemorative celebrations were not held on July 1 until Canada's 50th anniversary in 1917. Beginning in 1958, the day was marked by ceremonies in the capital city of Ottawa. In 1980, the government began distributing "Seed Money" to fund celebrations in communities across the nation. On October 17, 1982, after the Canadian Constitution was patriated, Dominion Day was renamed Canada Day.Canadian Heritage: Canada Day Background
