Civic Holiday, which occurs on August 7 this year, aims to encourage residents’ sense of community. What is the name of Canada’s first August Monday civic holiday? Well, that depends entirely on your location. Technically, it is not a Canadian’statutory’ holiday, and various regions of the country celebrate it differently. For instance, in Ottawa, Lieutenant Colonel John By, who supervised the construction of the Rideau Canal, is honoured on Colonel By Day. New Brunswick celebrates New Brunswick Day, while Toronto celebrates Simcoe Day. Upper Canada’s first Lieutenant-Governor was John Graves Simcoe. Some states and municipalities do not celebrate at all.
The background of Civic Holiday
First Monday of August is a national holiday in Canada. Did you know that the true purpose of this annual observance is to honour John Graves Simcoe? Most people merely enjoy it as an extra day off from work, which is a sufficient reason to celebrate. He was the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada, presently called Ontario. In addition, he established Fort York, the origin of contemporary Toronto.
The first Monday of August is observed as Civic Holiday by the majority of provinces and territories. In the Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Nunavut, it is known as Civic Holiday. In Alberta, it is known as Heritage Day. In certain regions of Nova Scotia, it is known as Natal Day.
The earliest mentions of Civic Holiday in Canada date back to the mid-1850s to early 1860s, when some Upper Canadian cities — London in 1856, Toronto in 1861, and Hamilton in 1862 — began to observe an August public holiday. These holidays were declared by the mayor and varied annually. People spent the day savouring picnics, as local businesses and stores were closed for the day. The concept rapidly spread, and by 1874, Winnipeg also celebrated its first holiday. Ultimately, the first Monday of August was designated as a holiday.
On this day, British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan also celebrate their provincial anniversaries. In Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Alberta, the midsummer holiday is not a statutory holiday, but it is generally observed by businesses, institutions, and the government. On Civic Holiday, some Ontario municipalities honour historical figures of significance. Today, Alberta also celebrates cultural diversity.
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HOLIDAY CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Have a picnic.
Summer is an ideal time to appreciate the outdoors, and thankfully, the majority of Canadian provinces have breathtaking outdoor locations. Gather your friends, pack a picnic basket, and venture outdoors for some time in the sun.
Join an environmental campaign
One of the purposes of the Civic Holiday is to raise awareness about conservation efforts. Nonprofit campaigns are constantly in need of volunteers. Participate in a meaningful activity this Civic Holiday.
Commence the celebration on Sunday.
Monday holidays are not common. Maximise this event by remaining up late the evening before. Consider attending a celebration in your city, or simply invite your friends over.
5 OUTRAGEOUS FACTS ABOUT CANADA
According to studies, the Hudson Bay region has a lower gravity than the rest of the globe.
In Canada, tap water is essentially of higher quality than bottled water.
In certain regions of Canada, a volunteer service provides free transportation to intoxicated individuals.
The small village of Snag recorded a temperature of -63°C (-81.4°F) on February 3, 1947; this is colder than the average surface temperature of Mars!
Canada has more lake surface area than all other countries in the world combined, despite its association with maple syrup.
CIVIC HOLIDAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | August 2 | Monday |
| 2022 | August 1 | Monday |
| 2023 | August 7 | Monday |
| 2024 | August 5 | Monday |
| 2025 | August 4 | Monday |
