How Canadians Plan to Celebrate Canada Day
Historians often compare Canada Day to July 4 in America, but besides the festivities, the two national holidays do not have much in common. Americans fervently fought to gain their independence, which is the meaning behind July 4. Canada Day is a celebration of the formation of the British North America provinces, not a day that recognizes the separation from the British Crown. Governor General Lord Monck, on June 20, 1868, signed a proclamation that formed the union of North American provinces. The Governor declared July 1 as the official day of celebration for the new country.
Canada Day has gone through numerous transformations since 1868. For decades, the country vacillated between a national celebration and more regional celebrations that varied by province.
In 1980, government officials developed a new formula that charged the National Committee with the promotion of local celebrations all across Canada. The government provides seed money to help bolster the operations of thousands of volunteers who work to produce Canada Day festivities. The types of festivities vary as widely as the types of cultures that flourish within each province.
While fireworks and parades receive the most media attention, Canadians have other ways they celebrate their most treasured holiday. A recent online survey asked 1,211 Canadians what they planned to do on Canada Day, 2012.
23% of male respondents and 21% of female respondents said they plan to watch a fireworks display. Firing up the grill is the second most popular way for Canadians to celebrate the day, with 15% of females and 20% of males planning to attend a barbeque this July 1. Surprisingly, only 4% of both women and men will be watching a Canada Day parade.
Men and women have similar preferences for how to spend Canada Day. However, the same cannot be said about age brackets. As expected, older age groups plan to spend Canada Day in a more traditional setting, such at a fireworks display or parade. The younger age brackets plan to socialize in backyards and at carnivals and fairs.
Despite the trend towards alternative ways to celebrate Canada Day, Canadians still enjoy attending firework displays. According to the same poll, an overwhelming percentage of Canadians either like or love firework displays. The poll broke down the respondents by gender, so we do not know if the 34 Canadians who dislike or strongly dislike firework displays came from one or more of the younger age groups.
Canadians celebrate Canada Day in other ways. Schools, banks, government offices, and most businesses close on July 1. The businesses that remain open include the restaurants and hotels that bustle because of the tourists that travel to soak in the holiday from as far as Europe and the United States.
Jwallace10 - About Author:
Jesse Wallace writes for a digital marketing agency. This article on online survey has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
Article Source:
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