Prompt Cast
The History and Evolution of Canada Day
TLDR Canada Day, originally known as Dominion Day, has a history dating back over 150 years. It was initially established as a national holiday to celebrate the formation of the Dominion of Canada, and in 1982, the name was officially changed to Canada Day. Today, Canada Day is widely celebrated in communities across Canada and around the world.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Canada Day is a national holiday in Canada that dates back over 150 years and was originally celebrating something different than what many people think.
02:00
Canada was initially a French-speaking British colony that consisted of several colonies, including Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Lower Canada, and Upper Canada, before they were merged into the Province of Canada in 1841.
03:42
In 1867, the British reorganized several colonies in North America to become the Dominion of Canada, with Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia as separate provinces.
05:18
In 1867, the Dominion of Canada was established as a federal system with its own parliament, judiciary, and taxation, but still under the authority of the British monarch and with foreign affairs administered by Britain.
06:59
The name "Dominion Day" became a sticking point for Canada as it grew, and attempts to change the name to "Canada Day" were made in 1946 but were unsuccessful until the Canadian Centennial in 1967 sparked a renewed interest in Canadian history and revived the celebration of Dominion Day.
08:39
In 1982, the name of Dominion Day was officially changed to Canada Day through a bill passed by the House of Commons, despite a small number of members present for the vote.
10:20
Canada Day, formerly known as Dominion Day, has grown in popularity since its official name change in 1982, and is now celebrated in communities across Canada and around the world, with the largest celebration taking place in London's Trafalgar Square.
