This year the 1st of July marks the 156th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. There will be celebrations across this vast continent for many people.

The celebration itself was initially known as Dominion Day, the national holiday of Canada. It was brought about after discussions on the possibility of a confederation between the colonies of British North America throughout the mid-1800’s. A dominion was formed through the British North America Act in 1867 (known today as the Constitution Act) once it was approved by the British Parliament. Then officially created on 20th June 1868. Governor General Lord Monck signed a proclamation requesting Her Majesty Queen Victoria allow her subjects to celebrate the act and the date became a statutory holiday in 1897.

It was re-named Canada Day back in 1982 when Canada gained full sovereignty due with the passage of the Statute of Westminster (an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom) in 1931. The country became completely independent with the passing of the Constitution Act, 1982. This was when Dominion Day became Canada Day. This milestone also united the colonies of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia into a wider British federation. These four provinces later became a “kingdom in its own right” within the British Empire, or the Dominion of Canada to form a single country.

Fact:
The word Canada comes from the Huron-Iroquois word “Kanata”.

Picture This Gallery has many spectacular paintings celebrating the vastness and diversity of Canada and the uniqueness of the continent, it’s wildlife and people. Feel free to browse the images on our website. Check out Canada Scapes and Spaces Art Show.