From coast to coast across North America there will be parades, picnic, concerts and fireworks celebrating Canada Day on July 1 and Independence Day on July 4.
It’s birthday time for the neighbors!
Canada Day is the national day of Canada, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act, 1867, which united three colonies into a single country called Canada within the British Empire. Originally called Dominion Day, the holiday was renamed in 1982, the year the Canada Act was passed. Canada Day observances of this 150th birthday will take place throughout Canada as well as among Canadians internationally.
Independence Day, also referred to as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence 241 years ago on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and were no longer part of the British Empire.
In both countries a large percentage of the population gets the nation’s birthday off and many retailers, government offices, libraries, schools and services shut down.
Celebrations such as fireworks or parades will generally be held on this day. In major cities across the continent celebrations begin early in the day and continue into the evening, with concerts, games and other festivities.
