CANADA DAY

It's so cute that this celebration formally known as Canada Day is not even 25 years old. It's a sign of such a young country. For years we have celebrated the day by going to one of the government organized festivities and then gathering with friends at the beach for the Canada Day picnic. We dress in red and white and put maple leaf tatoos on the face, leg, arm or wherever you like. This year we went for the housewarming party of Lorena and Andres, and had KFC, cupcakes, junk food and lasagna in company of friends. It was the first time that we are all CANADIANS, and there were actually 5 "original Canucks", and a guest from Spain, so again, truly multicultural in the true Canadian spirit. As July 1 was Saturday, people get Monday off, so it was a great long weekend. The weathe was incredible, not a cloud in the sky, bright hot sun and sparlky ocean. Sunday was a day to spend at the beach, lying on my Canada flag towel, looking at the ocean, fab bods, and mainly sleeping. Monday pretty much the same. WOW! summer in Vancouver, amazing, though to be honest a bit to hot for me! I love Canada, and even though in my heart I am always going to be Mexican, beign Canadian is like a bonus, so it's also destiny, I am proudly Mexi-Can.
Below a bit of history about Canada Day, FYI

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.

There is no record of organized ceremonies after this first anniversary, except for the 50th anniversary of Confederation in 1917, at which time the new Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, under construction, 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 celebration was held in 1927 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation.
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.
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.
www.pch.gc.ca/progs/