From Susan Munroe,
Your Guide to Canada Online.
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Canada is having another birthday on July 1, marking the anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 1867 and the birth of Canada as a nation.

Here's some useful information to help you celebrate Canada Day.

The Canadian Flag

We all wave the Canadian flag on Canada Day, but it wasn't until 1965 that Canada had a flag of her own. Find out about the history, symbolism and protocol for flying the Canadian flag.

English words to "O Canada!"

There's no need to just hum along to the Canadian anthem on Canada Day. Here are the official English lyrics to "O Canada." There have been different versions of the English words over the years, but these official English lyrics were finalized in 1968 by a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons.

French words to "O Canada!"

There's no better time than Canada Day to try your voice on the French lyrics to the national anthem. Unlike the English, the French words of "O Canada!" have stayed unchanged.

Fathers of Confederation

The Canadian Fathers of Confederation were the representatives of the British North America colonies who attended the three major conferences on Canadian Confederation. How many can you name?

Entry of Provinces Into Confederation

Only four provinces - Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec - were included in Confederation at the beginning on July 1, 1867. Now Canada has 10 provinces and three territories. Here are the dates they officially entered Canadian Confederation.

Sir John A. Macdonald

Sir John A. Macdonald became the first Prime Minister of Canada on July 1, 1867. Not only was he a Father of Confederation, he drafted two-thirds of the provisions of the British North America Act creating the Dominion of Canada.

Origin of the Name "Canada"

The name Canada was first used by Jacques Cartier in 1535, but there were plenty of other names considered at the time of Confederation. If things had gone a little differently, we could be celebrating Tuponia Day not Canada Day!

Fireworks Safety

While fireworks are an integral part of a Canada Day celebration, they can be dangerous. The Explosives Regulatory Division of Natural Resources Canada regulates the sale, transportation and use of fireworks and gives these important safety procedures to follow. Your municipal government also has its own restrictions on fireworks.

Join the Crowd on Parliament Hill

Festivities on Parliament Hill in Ottawa usually start around noon on Canada Day and carry on well into the evening. The National Capital Commission has a Web cam right across the street so you can check in through the course of the day and watch the crowd grow.

Have a Happy Birthday, Canada!