Canada's first day.CANADA--1 July 1867 The quiet of the warm evening is broken by the sound of church bells ringing. Bonfires are lit and cannons roar. Then, fireworks fireworks: see pyrotechnics. fireworks Explosives or combustibles used for display. Of ancient Chinese origin, fireworks evidently developed out of military rockets and explosive missiles and accompanied the spread of military explosives westward to light up the night sky. It is just past midnight on Monday, 1 July 1867, and the Dominion of Canada has been born. The bells ring again at dawn and are joined by rifle and more cannon fire. Families go to church to pray for the success of the new nation. At 11 a.m. crowds gather in marketplaces and town squares all over the nation to listen to the reading of the Queen's Proclamation that the British North America Act British North America Act, law passed by the British Parliament in 1867 that provided for the unification of the Canadian provinces into the dominion of Canada. Until 1982 the act also functioned as the constitution of Canada. is now in effect. This is the law that creates Canada. There are cheers and the singing of "God Save the Queen God Save the Queen British national anthem. [Br. Culture: Scholes, 408] See : Britain God Save the Queen official national anthem of the British Commonwealth. [Br. Music: Scholes, 408] See : Song, Patriotic ." Soldiers march by in parades as Union Jack flags flutter alongside banners reading "Success to the Confederacy Confederacy, name commonly given to the Confederate States of America (1861–65), the government established by the Southern states of the United States after their secession from the Union. ," and "Bienvenue A La Nouvelle Puissance puis·sance n. Power; might. [Middle English, from Old French, from poissant, powerful, present participle of pooir, to be able; see power. ." Today is a national holiday. In the afternoon, there are sports and picnics under the warm summer sun which shines everywhere on the new country. In Toronto, a whole ox is roasted over a pit to be carved and handed out to the poor. In Ottawa, Mr. John A. Macdonald takes the oath of office An oath of office is an oath or affirmation a person takes before undertaking the duties of an office, usually a position in government or within a religious body, although such oaths are sometimes required of officers of other organizations. to become Canada's first Prime Minister. Minutes later, he receives his knighthood knighthood: see chivalry; courtly love; knight. to become Sir John A. Macdonald. Meanwhile, George-Etienne Cartier is about to write an angry letter to Governor-General Lord Monck complaining that he too deserves to be knighted for his service to the country. The celebrations go on long into the night. There are more bonfires, rockets, and roman candles. There is music and dancing until the revelers crawl happy and tired into bed. A DAY OF MOURNING For other uses, see National Day of Mourning. The Day of Mourning was a day of protest held by Aboriginal Australians on 26 January 1938, the sesquicentenary of British colonisation of Australia. The creation of the Dominion of Canada has not been greeted with universal happiness all over the country. Today's edition of the Halifax Morning Chronicle carries a notice edged in black. This notice reads: "Died! Last night at 12 o'clock, the free and enlightened Province of Nova Scotia." A NEW SONG Alexander Muir is a schoolteacher in Ontario and he has written a new song to celebrate the birth of Canada. Called "The Maple Leaf Forever," it begins thus: in days of yore from Britain's shore Wolfe the dauntless hero carve, And planted firm Britannia's flag On Canada fair domain. Here may it wave, our boast, our pride, And join in love together, The thistle, shamrock, rose entwine The Maple Leaf forever. In 1867, Canada covered 958,416.5 [km.sup.2] (10% of its present size). The population was 3,816,680, slightly more than 23,000 of whom were Aboriginal peoples. Canadian Confederation--http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/2/18/index-e.html |
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