Canada Day celebrates the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the Constitution Act, 1867 (then called 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 take place throughout Canada as well as among Canadians internationally.
Canada's Capital Region buzzes with activity, as Canadians from across the country flock to the Capital to show their national pride. The festivities take place on Parliament Hill, in downtown parks and on the streets.
In Newfoundland and Labrador somber ceremonies are held in observation of Memorial Day. Memorial Day has been observed annually since July 1st 1917 to recall the losses of approximately 700 soldiers of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment from the Dominion of Newfoundland at Beaumont-Hamel during the Battle of the Somme of the First World War.
During the First World War, Beaumont-Hamel was close to the front line.
The Battle of the Somme was the regiment's first major engagement, and during an assault that lasted approximately 30 minutes the regiment was all but wiped out.
On 1 July 1916, 780 men who went forward. Only about 110 survived, of whom only 68 were available for roll call the following day. There was a casualty rate of approximately 80%.