Canada Day - July 1st

Photo courtesy of waferboard's Flickr page - Canadian flag: https://www.flickr.com/photos/waferboard/5653240459

Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Today, July 1st, is Canada Day.

This was an important date in Canadian history. Mostly because this was when the Confederation of Canada was created in 1867, but it was also important for some other reasons as well. American privateers attacked Lunenburg, in Nova Scotia. Nine years before Canada became a Union, it minted it's own coins (i, 5, 10, and 20 cent coins). The decimal currency system was incorporated in Canada, and Canada and the United States ended a fishery agreement. The first international telephone conversation took place on this day, with a call between Calais, Maine, and St Stephen, New Brunswick. Prince Edward Island officially became a province of Canada. Wilfred Laurier became the first French-speaking Prime Minister of Canada. Less happy history - it was on this date in 1933 that Canada suspended all Chinese immigration into the country. Eventually on this date, O Canada! became the official national anthem for Canada.

But most importantly, of course, it was on this day in 1867 that the Dominion of Canada came into existence. I have spent Canada Day inside of Canada a few times. Usually, in Quebec City, where they traditionally have free outdoor concerts and other celebratory events during the time of the end of June until early July. That is because June 24th in St. Jean Baptiiste Day in Quebec province, and then Canada Day a week later. So, it's a good time to take a trip there. Plus, there's a good chance that you can catch a good band or two. I think it was 2005 that I saw Tea Party up there (no, not the ridiculous American pseudo-political movement, but rather the pretty cool band).


I wrote an article on Canada Day for the Guardian Liberty Voice which was published on this date last year. Fairly recently, I found out that this was a widely viewed article, with thousands and thousands of views, most likely making it the most widely read piece that I have written to date. Hopefully, you take a look. Here's the link:

Canada Day Has a Long and Divided History:

http://guardianlv.com/2015/07/canada-day-has-a-long-and-divided-history/