Every year on July 1, our northern neighbors celebrate Canada Day. The national holiday honors the creation of Canada that was prompted by the British North American Act signed on July 1, 1867. A year later, Governor General Lord Monck signed a proclamation requesting the British Queen’s subjects in Canada celebrate July 1. Since then, the holiday has seen three different names. First it was called the “anniversary of Confederation” before it became “Dominion Day.” Celebrated as Dominion Day until 1981, “Canada Day” became the official name on October 27, 1982.
Today, the national holiday is celebrated much like the United States’ Independence Day which occurs only three days later. Fireworks, food, and music are included in the festivities. Mixing fun with national pride, Canada Day celebrations have even included visits from their royal highnesses. In 2011, Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, celebrated the country’s 144th anniversary on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
During the off-season, head coach Cory Herman heads back home to Saskatchewan to enjoy a small vacation at the end of June. That vacation includes celebrating Canada Day. “We get together with family, eat cabbage rolls and watch fireworks,” he explains.
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