Postcard, 1905 Happy Canada Day! Today I thought I'd take a look back at how Canada Day evolved into the celebration we know today. Of course, to do that we need to start with the origin of Canada's name.
The term Canada is derived from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word 'kanata' meaning village. French explorer Jacques Cartier erroneously applied it to the entire region and the Rivière de Canada (the Saint Lawrence River). Of the many, many misunderstandings that would result between Europeans and the various tribes of North American this probably counts as the most benign.
The term Canada is derived from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word 'kanata' meaning village. French explorer Jacques Cartier erroneously applied it to the entire region and the Rivière de Canada (the Saint Lawrence River). Of the many, many misunderstandings that would result between Europeans and the various tribes of North American this probably counts as the most benign.
If you remember Historica Minutes on TV you had a good childhood.
Under French rule 'Canada' refered to the colony along the Saint Lawrence River. Due to being the most developed of the French colonies the terms 'New France' and 'Canada' were often used interchangeably. With the British conquest of New France in 1763 the colony was renamed 'The Province of Quebec' after the colony's largest settlement.
After the arrival of the Loyalists it became expedient to divide the colony in 1791. Since Canada was still the name of the region the two new colonies were called Upper and Lower Canada.
When Confederation was being negotiated it was proposed by a delegate from either Nova Scotia or New Brunswick that the new union be called Canada. That said here are some alternative names that were proposed (many of which prove that in every age there are people who shouldn't be allowed to name things):
Anglia, Albionoria, Borealia, Cabotia, Colonia, Efisga, Hochelaga, Laurentia, Mesopelagia, New Albion, Norland, Superior, Tuponia, Transatlantica, Ursalia, Vesperia, Victorialand
After the arrival of the Loyalists it became expedient to divide the colony in 1791. Since Canada was still the name of the region the two new colonies were called Upper and Lower Canada.
When Confederation was being negotiated it was proposed by a delegate from either Nova Scotia or New Brunswick that the new union be called Canada. That said here are some alternative names that were proposed (many of which prove that in every age there are people who shouldn't be allowed to name things):
Anglia, Albionoria, Borealia, Cabotia, Colonia, Efisga, Hochelaga, Laurentia, Mesopelagia, New Albion, Norland, Superior, Tuponia, Transatlantica, Ursalia, Vesperia, Victorialand
Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley With one part of the name agreed upon the delegates tried to decide on the long-form of the name. Sir John A. Macdonald favoured calling the new entity a kingdom but British officials were wary of frightening/annoying/bugging the United States. It is a popular story that New Brunswick premier Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley came up with the alternate suggestion of 'dominion' after reading his morning devotions, Psalm 72:8, which states "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth".
This story has been questioned as the term dominion had been applied to other entities beforehand and is not innovative. Personally I feel this is an irrelevant point; conservatism done right is about looking to the past for inspiration regarding the present.
Whatever the origin the Fathers of Confederation broadened the term from being 'a major colonial possession' to being a synonym for a sovereign state. Secretary of State for the Colonies Lord Carnarvon stated in a letter to Queen Victoria: "The North American delegates are anxious that the United Provinces should be designated as the 'Dominion of Canada.' It is a new title, but intended on their part as a tribute to the Monarchical principle which they earnestly desire to uphold."
This story has been questioned as the term dominion had been applied to other entities beforehand and is not innovative. Personally I feel this is an irrelevant point; conservatism done right is about looking to the past for inspiration regarding the present.
Whatever the origin the Fathers of Confederation broadened the term from being 'a major colonial possession' to being a synonym for a sovereign state. Secretary of State for the Colonies Lord Carnarvon stated in a letter to Queen Victoria: "The North American delegates are anxious that the United Provinces should be designated as the 'Dominion of Canada.' It is a new title, but intended on their part as a tribute to the Monarchical principle which they earnestly desire to uphold."
July 1st was celebrated unofficially in 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". On June 20th of the following year Governor General the Viscount Monck issued a royal proclamation asking for Canadians to celebrate the anniversary of Confederation. It would not be until 1879 that the holiday became official under the name 'Dominion Day'. The celebration of Confederation ranked low in both the official and popular calendar of holidays for a number of years. It was not until 1958 that the government started being involved in the celebrations on a yearly basis. Before this the Governor General would hold a small party at Rideau Hall and milestone years would be celebrated officially but other than that it was up to local communities to host their own celebrations.
The holiday was officially renamed to 'Canada Day' in 1982 due to a somewhat embarrassing episode where there were only 12 MPs in Parliament when the voting started.
So have a happy Canada Day (or Dominion Day for the more traditionally-minded). Canada is today a spry 147 years young.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
The holiday was officially renamed to 'Canada Day' in 1982 due to a somewhat embarrassing episode where there were only 12 MPs in Parliament when the voting started.
So have a happy Canada Day (or Dominion Day for the more traditionally-minded). Canada is today a spry 147 years young.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
 The Red Ensign |  The Maple Leaf |
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