15 Canada Day Facts Everyone Should Know

Canada Day is celebrated on July 1 every year. Here are 15 facts that every citizenship applicant should know.

1. Canada Day is July 1 — the anniversary of Confederation in 1867.
2. It was originally called "Dominion Day" until 1982.
3. Four provinces united on July 1, 1867: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
4. Sir John A. Macdonald was the first Prime Minister.
5. The British North America Act (now the Constitution Act, 1867) created Canada.
6. Canada didn't become fully independent immediately — the Statute of Westminster (1931) granted legislative independence.
7. The Constitution was patriated from Britain in 1982 with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
8. Canada Day celebrations include fireworks, concerts, and citizenship ceremonies.
9. The national anthem "O Canada" was written in 1880 and became official in 1980.
10. Ottawa's Parliament Hill hosts the largest Canada Day celebration.
11. Red and white became Canada's official colours in 1921.
12. The Maple Leaf flag was adopted on February 15, 1965.
13. Canada spans 6 time zones.
14. Canada is the second-largest country in the world by total area.
15. Many new citizens are sworn in on Canada Day — it's a popular day for citizenship ceremonies.

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