How Canada Has Celebrated Major Milestone Birthdays Past

Canada's 150th anniversary celebration looks to be like none to date.

Historically,  the enactment of the British North America Act, 1867 (today called the Constitution Act, 1867), which confederated Canada, was celebrated on July 1, 1867, with the ringing of the bells at the Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto and "bonfires, fireworks and illuminations, excursions, military displays and musical and other entertainments", as described in contemporary accounts. On June 20 of the following year, Governor General the Viscount Monck issued a royal proclamation asking for Canadians to celebrate the anniversary of Confederation, However, the holiday was not established statutorily until May 15, 1879, when it was designated as Dominion Day, alluding to the reference in the British North America Act to the country as a dominion.

The holiday was initially not dominant in the national calendar; any celebrations were mounted by local communities and the governor general hosted a party at Rideau Hall. No larger celebrations were held until 1917 but the celebrations were informed by the fact that it was still the midst of World War One.  There were no major celebrations for at least another decade — the golden and diamond anniversaries of Confederation, respectively.

Of course, 1942, the 75th, was also during a time of war (World War II).

1967 brought major celebrations - but most many were centered on the dominant culture and  cities.

This year promises to be diifrent - the celbration is mor diffuse and runs deeper  relceting the society at llarge that no longer runs just from the top down.

We are looking forward the celebartions and just how different they will be this time.