O Canada – Happy Birthday

Canada’s birthday is celebrated on July 1st. It started way back in 1868 as people celebrate the joy of being Canadian. Why does this matter to me? I was born in Michigan but when I was just 8 years old my parents moved us to Simcoe, Ontario, Canada. I vaguely remember thinking “where is Canada” when they told us, and it all sounded so wonderful. We landed as immigrants after this big move and settled into our new adopted country. This was all in God’s plan for my life as it is in this great country, I met my husband. My parents moved us to a few places in Ontario before settling in Scarborough in 1987. My parents have not moved from this place and my mom continues to enjoy living in Scarborough. Canada became our home and eventually my parents and I became Canadian citizens. This country was my home. I met Pierre in 1993. He was French Canadian and this proved to be a new adventure when we were married in 1994 and I moved to Montreal, QC. We had three children there and three children in the States when we decided to move there in 2004. We have given our children dual citizenship and have always spoke of Canada as their home, too. What is then the history and traditions of Canada Day? We have already seen that Canada Day celebrations began in 1868 but did you know that Canada officially became a country on July 1, 1867, by way of the British North America Act. In 1967, for the 100th birthday of Canada, Queen Elizabeth II arrived to celebrate in a high-profile ceremony. It wasn’t until 1981, that fireworks lit up 15 major cities across Canada and this tradition continues until today. Side note:  Want to learn about landmarks in Canada?  Read these great books by Eric Wilson. Canada Day marks the unofficial start of summer since schools run until the end of June in Canada. Traditionally, royalty shows up to celebrate Canada Day. When royalty is not visiting from Britain, the Queen’s representative (Governor-General) steps in to celebrate with people in Ottawa. Some of the royalty who have come for this special day besides the Queen have been her husband, Prince Philip, the Queen Mother, Prince (now King) Charles and his former wife, Princess Diana (her birthday happens to be on July 1st as well). Prince William and his wife, Catherine also came to help with the celebrations across the years. While each province or territory have their own special recipes to serve on Canada Day, most Canadians still enjoy chicken on the barbecue with salads and pie as a great dessert. Activities can vary from being at the cottage and in a boat to watching the festivities on Parliament Hill. It could be that they are at the campsite making smores or hiking on the great Rocky Mountains. In the city, they create their own parties and people get together to celebrate in many ways. In the end, fireworks, food (find some great Canadian recipes here), fun and just the joy of being Canadian brings people together for a fun day of celebrating this great country of ours.

O CANADA (English Version)

O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all of us command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free!

From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O CANADA (French Version)

Ô Canada! Terre de nos aïeux, Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!

Car ton bras sait porter l’épée, Il sait porter la croix!

Ton histoire est une épopée Des plus brillants exploits.

Et ta valeur, de foi trempée, Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.

Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.