July 1st is Canada's national patriotic holiday.  in 1867, the British North American Act in effect created the Canadian government stating that Canada is "One Dominion under the name of Canada".  It was thought that the name "Dominion Day" spoke of the old ties to the British government so it was changed by parliament in 1982.  The term :"Dominion Day" originally came from the Bible: Psalm 72:8: "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea".

Canada's Motto: It was also derived from that same quotation - "A Mari Usque Ad Mare"(from sea to sea), seen at the right on Canada's Coat of Arms.

Flag Facts

The present Canadian flag was adopted into use in February 1965 after much debate by parliament.  Before 1965 Canada did not have its own flag.  Since the inception of Canada, there have been three previous flags: the royal banner of France, the Union Jack(England) and the Canadian Red Ensign. There is now a national Flag Day - February 15th.

A Canadian Symbol The beaver was an important symbol in Canada's early history, playing a major role in the fur trade. Beavers were known to be industrious and perserverant. Since 1633 it has been featured on many govermental flags and emblems.  The first postage stamp featured a beaver which was the 1851 3-cent stamp designed by Sir Sanford Fleming.Now the beaver resides on the reverse of the 5-cent coin.

Another Canadian Symbol The maple is an indigenous tree to Canada.The maple leaf has been a symbol in one form or another since the early 1700's. It has been immortalized in song, - "The Maple Leaf" by Alexander Muir, an unofficial national anthem since Confederation.

A Canadian Tune

The official national anthem is "O Canada".  It was first performed on June 24, 1880. Here are the lyrics to the present day version:

O Canada! our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

How Canada Got It's Name

A very, very long time ago an explorer, Jacques Cartier, was in conversation with two aboriginal men.  They told him that the way to "Kanata" was ahead.  They of course meant the village of Stadacona. "Kanata" meant village or settlement in Huron-Iroquois.  Cartier took the word to mean the whole area under exploration at that time. Duh!

Famous Entertaining Canadians
( I have just picked a few)

Past: Lorne Greene, Raymond Massey, Raymond Burr, Jay Silverheels, Mary Pickford, Walter Pigeon, John Candy, Phil Hartman.

Present:  Mike Myers, Shania Twain, Michael J. Fox, Dan Ackroyd, Celine Dion, Leslie Nielson, Denny Doherty(Mamas & Papas), Jim Carrey, Norman Jewison, both Donald and Keifer Sutherland, William Shatner.

And now for a famous rant.....................

I’m not a lumberjack, or a fur trader�?and I don’t live in a igloo, or eat blubber, or own a dogsled�?/STRONG>

And I don’t know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, although I’m certain they’re really, really nice.

I have a Prime Minister, not a President. I speak English and French, NOT American. And I pronounce it "ABOUT", NOT "A BOOT".

I can proudly sew my country’s flag on my backpack. I believe in peace keeping, NOT policing. DIVERSITY, NOT assimilation, AND THAT THE BEAVER IS A TRULY PROUD AND NOBLE ANIMAL.

A TOQUE IS A HAT, A CHESTERFIELD IS A COUCH, AND IT IS PRONOUNCED "ZED" NOT "ZEE!!!"

CANADA IS THE SECOND LARGEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD! THE FIRST NATION OF HOCKEY! AND THE BEST PART OF NORTH AMERICA! MY NAME IS JOE!! AND I AM CANADIAN!!!!!!!

My name is Bubbles and I am Canadian too!