Happy Birthday Canada

The Origin of Canada Day

Before 1982, Canada Day used to be known as Dominion Day, First of July, Confederation Day and also July the First. The reason we are celebrating Canada Day is due to the events which occurred on July 1st, 1867 --- The British North American Act established the Canadian Federal Government. The British North American Act proclaimed "one Dominion under the name of Canada." The previous name "Dominion Day" was renamed by an Act of Parliament on October 27, 1982. The reason for renaming was to slowly move away from our colonial origin. 

Origin of the name -- "Canada"

Two Indian Youth, in the year 1535, told Jacques Carter about a route to "kanata." They actually showed him the way to the Village Stadacona, (today Quebec City) and the word "kanata" is simply the Huron-Iroquois word for "Village" or "Settlement." Carter kept using this name for Stadacona and also for the entire area surrounding Stadacona. Later, that name was applied for a much greater area as maps from 1547 show, it included everything north of the Laurence River and the "kanata" was spelled "Canada."

Actually, Carter called the Laurence River the "rivière de Canada" and this name has been used until the early 1600, even so the actual area was called "New France." The first time Canada has been used as the official name was in  1791, when the now Province of Quebec was divided into two colonies of "Upper and Lower Canada," and later in 1841, the two Canadian Colonies were re-united under one name "The Province of Canada."

The Maple Tree

The Maple Tree played a very important role in Canada's history. It associated itself with Maple Syrup and had great wood value in building houses, wood floors etc., due to its hardness, and it also added a beauty to the Canadian Landscape.

The maple tree has been officially proclaimed national arboreal emblem of Canada on April 25th, 1996 and the Canada Gazette published it in May 15th, 1996.

The Maple Leaf

According to historians, the maple leaf became the Canadian symbol as early as 1700. Before European settlers came to Canada, aboriginal peoples discovered the food value of the maple sap- maple syrup, which they collected every spring.

The first St. Jean Baptiste Society in North America made the maple leaf its emblem in 1834. In 1848, the Toronto literary annual THE MAPLE LEAF referred to it as the chosen emblem of Canada. Later in 1860, the maple leaf has been incorporated into a badge of the 100th Regiment (Royal Canadians) and has been used for decorations when the Prince of Wales visited that year.

Also, the maple leaf used to be on all Canadian Coins between the year of 1876 and 1901. During the first world war the maple leaf was actually included on the badge of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and since 1921, the Royal Arms of Canada included 3 maple leafs to be distinctive to their emblem. The maple leaf has been added to the Canadian Flag during the proclamation of Canada's new flag in 1965. Until today, the maple leaf is the most prominent symbol of Canada.

The Beaver

The early European explorer not only realized that Canada is very rich in resources, but also noticed a beaver population which at those times reached into the millions. Between 1600 and 1700, beaver pelts were in great demand. The fashion at those days demanded fur hats and beavers were hunted in large numbers.

Also, King Henry IV of France saw the fur trade as a great revenue which he much needed and both, French and English fur traders sold their beaver pelts at an inflated price to Europe, which was 20 times higher then the purchase price.

Hudson Bay Company found the fur trade so lucrative that they added the beaver to the shield of its coat of arms in 1678. But earlier in 1621, Sir William Alexander, who had been granted title to Nova Scotia, has been the first who added the beaver in a coat of arms.