Why Do We Celebrate Canada Day? (A Kid-Friendly Look at July 1st)

July 1st is a day filled with fireworks, parades, red-and-white clothes, and maple leaf everything… but have you ever wondered why we celebrate Canada Day?

Let’s take a fun and easy look at what makes July 1st so special!


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What Is Canada Day?

Canada Day is kind of like Canada’s birthday! It’s the day we celebrate the beginning of our country — when Canada officially became a country on July 1st, 1867.

Back then, it was called Dominion Day. On that day, three colonies (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia) joined together to create one big country: Canada. Over time, more provinces and territories joined, and now we have 10 provinces and 3 territories across this beautiful country.

In 1982, the name was officially changed to Canada Day, and we’ve been celebrating with pride ever since.


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How Do People Celebrate?

On July 1st, you might see:

Fireworks lighting up the sky

Parades with music and dancing

BBQs and picnics with family and friends

People wearing red and white or waving Canadian flags

Fun community events at parks or beaches


It’s a day to have fun, celebrate our country, and show Canadian pride.


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10 Fun Facts About Canada for Kids

1. Canada has two official languages — English and French.


2. The maple leaf has been a symbol of Canada since the 1700s.


3. Hockey is one of Canada’s favorite sports (but lacrosse is our national summer sport).


4. Canada is the second largest country in the world by land size (Russia is number one).


5. There’s a town called Dildo in Newfoundland. (Yes, really!)


6. Over 2.5 million lakes are found in Canada — that’s more than anywhere else on Earth.


7. Beavers are a national symbol, and they were once used on Canadian coins.


8. “Eh” is something Canadians are known for saying — even though we don’t always notice it.


9. The name Canada comes from the Indigenous word “Kanata,” which means village or settlement.


10. The world’s longest skating rink — the Rideau Canal — is in Ottawa, our capital city.




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Want to Teach About Canada Day in the Classroom or at Home?

You can turn this blog post into a mini-lesson. Try these ideas:

Have students design their own Canada Day flag or poster

Create a red-and-white scavenger hunt

Write a journal entry: “If I Could Plan the Perfect Canada Day…”

Use Canada-themed coloring pages, writing prompts, or printable puzzles.



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Final Thoughts

Whether you’re watching fireworks, waving a flag, or just enjoying some maple syrup pancakes, Canada Day is a wonderful reminder of how lucky we are to live in such a big, beautiful, and diverse country.

Happy Canada Day from The Pottie Spot.

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