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It's worth noting that the June 24 celebration has a much longer history than Canada Day (July 1).
June 24 is basically the original national holiday in this part of the world. Some people trace back its roots to the first half of the 1600s. It has had its ups and downs since then but has always been celebrated in some way.
Canada Day marks the current Canadian political set-up (Confederation) that was agreed upon on July 1, 1, 1867.
I believe it was marked by ceremonies and other events even in the first part of the 20th century but it only truly became a huge public celebration (in Ottawa and other cities) around the 1970s and 1980s.
This coincided with a major resurgence of St-Jean-Baptiste festivities in Quebec, with a nationalist and even separatist angle to them.
The Canadian government wanted something to compete with that so they boosted the July 1 holiday significantly, changed the name from the old "Dominion Day" to "Canada Day", and the rest is history.
National Moving Day became National Moving Day in 1974 (that is, before any separatist government came to power in Quebec) whereby the standard lease starting date was moved up from May 1st to July 1st so as not to inconvenience families with school-aged children.
I believe [Dominion, then Canada, Day] was marked by ceremonies and other events even in the first part of the 20th century but it only truly became a huge public celebration (in Ottawa and other cities) around the 1970s and 1980s.
This coincided with a major resurgence of St-Jean-Baptiste festivities in Quebec, with a nationalist and even separatist angle to them.
The Canadian government wanted something to compete with that so they boosted the July 1 holiday significantly, changed the name from the old "Dominion Day" to "Canada Day", and the rest is history.
This is pretty much correct, although I'm unsure which came first--big St-Jean-Baptiste festivities in Quebec, or big Canada Day celebrations elsewhere a week later--but I agree with AJ that Canada Day only truly became a huge public celebration around the 1970s and 1980s.
Prior to that, it was nothing more than a day off at the start of summer. The kids were out of school, and it was time to head for the cottage. That was pretty much it; there were no fireworks, or politicians with speeches, or bands playing "Live from Parliament Hill!". It was fairly quiet, and it was no more important than Good Friday or Labour Day. I never recall fireworks and celebrations on Dominion Day when I was a child. Those were for Victoria Day in May.
Whatever Canada Day is or was, for me its a day to celebrate Canada and take pride in being a member/citizen of a great country,my country Canada.
Why isnt Canada day a big deal in Quebec? Quebec is a Canadian province its population is Canadian if they dont want to celebrate Canada day but would rather celebrate something called fete national the week before , come to your own conclusions.
Whatever Canada Day is or was, for me its a day to celebrate Canada and take pride in being a member/citizen of a great country,my country Canada.
Why isnt Canada day a big deal in Quebec? Quebec is a Canadian province its population is Canadian if they dont want to celebrate Canada day but would rather celebrate something called fete national the week before , come to your own conclusions.
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come to your own conclusions.
