O‘Canada Day

A Day of Celebration and Remembrance

Article by Diamond Meness Illustrations by Camila Astermann

July is among us everyone! Break out your BBQs, make those planned trips to the beach, or just sit back and enjoy the sun! Goodbye winter!! Hello Tan lines!But there is one thing that we look forward to in July more than anything else.

Firecrackers!! That‘s right readers, in America, we are getting ready for our country‘s Independence Day: July 4th. But what about other places? Do they have an Independence Day? I wanted to find somewhere that was very much like the Americans when it came to celebrating their Independence Day while at the same time embracing our differences. What better country to choose than Canada. The similarities and differences are striking! Read on about Dominion Day!!

No readers, that was not a mistake! Throughout this article you will read many facts regarding Dominion Day..ah..Canada Day, starting first with the name.

FACT: Canada Day was originally called Dominion Day.

Canada was formed as a federal dominion of four provinces. It is one of the world‘s most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations. The two official main languages spoken in Canada are English and French. This was due to the British conquest of French Canada in 1760. And their continued battle over Canada during that time. I have often referred to Canada as „Junior America“ as both The United States and Canada share historical and cultural heritages. The relationship between them is one of the most stable and mutually beneficial international relationships in the world despite it‘s past. However, there are many similar and identical traits between the two and public opinion polls have shown that Canada has been many 96% of American citizens favorite nation according to a poll conducted in 2012. In that same poll, during the Obama administration, 64% of Canadians had a favorable view of the United States, with 81% who had confidence in then President Obama to do the right thing when it came to international matters between the United States and Canada. How do they feel about our current president administration leadership? Let‘s just say, they still hold the American citizens in a favorable light.

FACT: The first Prime Minister

of Canada was Sir John No national symbol is as Alexander Macdonald. ubiquitous as Canada‘s maple leaf. No matter where you go or where you see it, that big red maple left will instantly put Canada in your mind. But let‘s step back in history for a few minutes to see how it all got started. The Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867 by the British Parliament by the Constitution time it was called the British North America Act. This Act allowed the merging of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The next year, a proclamation was signed by Governor General Lord Monck in 1868 encouraging the citizens of Canada to have a celebration. However, the first federally recognized “Dominion Day” wasn‘t until 1879. After a while, Canada, much like the United States, became independent from Britain, and in 1982, Dominion Day was officially changed to Canada Day.

So what do the citizens of Canada do for Canada Day? It‘s pretty much the same as the United States. Most of the events will be held outdoors. They have fireworks and parades. They will also have carnivals and concerts.

Many towns will hold these events in all provinces and territories, but more on this later and there are the citizenship ceremonies. What is a citizenship ceremony? It‘s much like the United States. A person who is required to take the solemn oath before a judge or citizenship official along with many others who wish to become Canadian citizens. It is the final legal process that is required for anyone wishing to become a Canadian citizen who is over the age of fourteen. It‘s quite a long process that requires permanent resident status in Canada for three years in the last five years and completing Canadian income tax return if you have worked. there is also a test you must pass and prove that you can speak and write in one of the official languages of Canada.

Other events that happen on Canada day are many performances that happen in the 50 communities across Canada. This year, for 2020, Hudson‘s Cay and Team Canada athletes will celebrate with the Canada Day

Games. Canadians all over Canada are encouraged to wear Team Canada gear and participate in any events going on at the games. They include Speed Sun-screening, something called ‚The Burger Flip‘, Pairs Ice

Cream Eating, Sprinkler Jump, Freestyle Strutting, Pool Noodle Javelin, Synchronized Celebrating, and

Artistic Sparker Dancing. This is due to the Olympic Games being canceled due to the pandemic.

Canadian athletes participating include Antoine Valois-Fortier, Christabel Nettey, Jennifer Abel, Sean McColl and Skylar Park. From the Sisters in Second Life Magazine crew all good luck during these events.

FACT: Canada borders the United States. The Border Stretches 5,525 miles. This is the world‘s longest binational land border.

Did You Know? The Capital of Canada is Ottawa.

No national symbol is as ubiquitous as Canada‘s maple leaf. No matter where you go or where you see it, that big red maple left will instantly put Canada in your mind. But let‘s step back in history for a few minutes to see how it all got started. The Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867 by the British Parliament by the Constitution Act or at that time it was called the British North America Act. This Act allowed the merging of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The next year, a proclamation was signed by

Governor General Lord Monck in 1868 encouraging the citizens of Canada to have a celebration.

However, the first federally recognized “Dominion Day” wasn‘t until 1879. After a while, Canada, much like the United States, became independent from Britain, and in 1982, Dominion Day was officially

So what do the citizens of Canada do for Canada Day? It‘s pretty much the same as the United States. Most of the events will be held outdoors. They have fireworks and parades. They will also have carnivals and concerts.

Many towns will hold these events in all provinces and territories, but more on this later. You will smell barbecues and there are the citizenship ceremonies. What is a citizenship ceremony? It‘s much like the United States. A person who is required to take the solemn oath before a judge or citizenship official along with many others who wish to become Canadian citizens. It is the final legal process that is required for anyone wishing to become a Canadian citizen who is over the age of fourteen. It‘s quite a long process that requires permanent resident status in Canada for three years in the last five years and completing Canadian income tax return if you have worked. Then of course, there is also a test you must pass and prove that you can speak and write in one of the official languages of Canada.

Other events that happen on Canada day are many performances that happen in the 50 communities across Canada. This year, for 2020, Hudson‘s Cay and Team Canada athletes will celebrate with the Canada Day

Games. Canadians all over Canada are encouraged to wear Team Canada gear and participate in any events going on at the games. They include Speed Sun-screening, something called ‚The Burger Flip‘, Pairs Ice

Cream Eating, Sprinkler Jump, Freestyle Strutting, Pool Noodle Javelin, Synchronized Celebrating, and

Artistic Sparker Dancing. This is due to the Olympic Games being canceled due to the pandemic.

Canadian athletes participating include Antoine Valois-Fortier, Christabel Nettey, Jennifer Abel, Sean McColl and Skylar Park. From the Sisters in Second Life Magazine crew, we wish you

Did You Know? The Capital of Canada is Ottawa.

FACT: The annual festivities surrounding Canada Day did not come into effect until nearly a century later, after it was established in 1868.

What do Canadians wear for Canada Day? All across America you will see citizens donning the “Red, White & Blue”. The same holds true for Canadian citizens. The Maple Leaf being front and center of it all, you will see other key features such as bold tones of red and black with pops of gold. This will be on t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies as well as a variety of other accessories for men, women, and children alike. To all our Canadian readers, you can go to Hudson‘s Bay stores at thebay. com to get your items, with a special Team Canada Tokyo 2020 kit that will be revealed at a later date.

This year as well, many Canadian chefs will be hosting a ‚virtual cooking challenge‘ Other online activities will include games and trivia. Many Canadian musicians will begin doing online performances as well. Names include: Alanis Morissette, Avril Lavigne, and Sarah McLachlan. And, if you are still weary about going outside or being around large crowds due to the pandemic, there will also be a host of virtual fireworks shows to watch. Even during these challenging times, Canadians know how to party!!! Go Canada!!

Poutine! Chips, curds and gravy - what‘s not to love? Canada‘s most famous dish was born in rural Quebec circa 1950. The recipe: hot chips, a sprinkling of cheese curds and a dousing of hot gravy. This very popular dish is made all around Canada, as well as gaining popularity here in the United States, and should be a

staple for Canada Day Celebrations. 39 Sisters in SL Magazine