History of Canada Day in Timeline

Canada Day, observed annually on July 1st, commemorates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 1867. Formerly known as Dominion Day, this federal statutory holiday marks the unification of the three separate colonies of the United Canadas, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into a single dominion within the British Empire called Canada. The British North America Act, 1867, facilitated this union, establishing the foundation for modern-day Canada.

1916: First Day of the Battle of the Somme

In 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme occurred, leading Newfoundland to recognize July 1 as Memorial Day to commemorate heavy losses.

1917: Confederation's Gold Anniversary

In 1917, larger celebrations were held for the gold anniversary of Confederation.

1923: Enactment of the Chinese Immigration Act

In 1923, the Chinese Immigration Act was enacted, leading Chinese-Canadians to refer to July 1 as Humiliation Day and boycott Dominion Day celebrations.

1927: First National Radio Network Hookup

In 1927, the first national radio network hookup by the Canadian National Railway occurred on Dominion Day.

1931: Passage of the Statute of Westminster

In 1931, Canada gained increasing sovereignty with the passage of the Statute of Westminster.

1946: Bill to Rename Dominion Day

In 1946, a bill was introduced to rename Dominion Day as Canada Day, though it was stalled by the Senate.

1947: Repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act

In 1947, the Chinese Immigration Act was repealed.

1958: CBC Cross-Country Television Broadcast Inaugurated

In 1958, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's cross-country television broadcast was inaugurated, with Governor General Vincent Massey's Dominion Day speech from Parliament Hill.

1958: Government Orchestrated Celebrations Begin

In 1958, the Canadian government began to orchestrate Dominion Day celebrations, with Prime Minister John Diefenbaker requesting Secretary of State Ellen Fairclough to organize appropriate events.

1958: Flooding of the Saint Lawrence Seaway

In 1958, the Saint Lawrence Seaway was flooded.

1966: First Colour Television Transmission

In 1966, the first colour television transmission in Canada occurred.

1967: Canada's Centennial

Canada's centennial in 1967 is often seen as an important milestone in the history of Canadian nationalism and in Canada's maturing as a distinct, independent country, after which Dominion Day became more popular with average Canadians.

1967: Inauguration of the Order of Canada

In 1967, the Order of Canada was inaugurated.

1973: Quebec's Moving Day Changed to July 1

In 1973, Quebec's Moving Day was changed from May 1 to July 1.

1980: Government Promotes Celebrations Beyond Ottawa

After 1980, the Canadian government began to promote celebrating Dominion Day beyond the national capital, giving grants and aid to cities across the country to help fund local activities.

1980: O Canada Established as National Anthem

In 1980, "O Canada" was established as the country's national anthem.

July 9, 1982: Bill Passed in House of Commons

On July 9, 1982, a private member's bill to rename Dominion Day to Canada Day was passed through the House of Commons.

October 27, 1982: Canada Day Officially Renamed

On October 27, 1982, with the granting of royal assent, Dominion Day was officially renamed Canada Day.

1982: Informal Use of "Canada Day" Causes Controversy

By the early 1980s, some Canadians were informally referring to the holiday as Canada Day, a practice that caused some controversy due to differing views on the name Dominion Day and its implications.

1982: Constitution Act Passed

In 1982, Canada became completely sovereign with the passing of the Constitution Act, which served to fully patriate the Canadian constitution.

1982: Holiday Renamed and Constitution Patriated

In 1982, Dominion Day was renamed Canada Day. Also in 1982, the Canadian constitution was patriated by the Canada Act, severing legal dependence on the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

July 1, 1983: First Canada Day Celebration

On July 1, 1983, Canada celebrated its first Canada Day.

2017: Commemorative Banknote Released

During Canada's sesquicentennial in 2017, the Bank of Canada released a commemorative $10 banknote, expected to be broadly available by Canada Day.

2017: Criticism During Canada's 150th Anniversary

During Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017, criticism arose from some Indigenous people who felt that the celebrations ignored Indigenous contributions and current challenges.

2020: Canada Day Festivities Cancelled Due to COVID-19

In 2020, all in-person Canada Day festivities were canceled nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with some events converted to virtual formats.

June 2021: Discovery of Unmarked Graves

In June 2021, after the discovery of unmarked graves of Indigenous children at a residential school in British Columbia, Canada Day events were canceled or altered in many areas.