The Fourth of July and Canada Day

The world is filled with hundreds of different cultures. Some of which have similar practices. Culture is the ideas, customs and social behaviors of a particular people or society. Culture is very important to people and their way of life, it helps us define our identity. It’s in everyday life and on special occasions. It tells us where we are from, who our ancestors are and the traditions and customs to follow. Let’s look at the Fourth of July, Canada Day and comparing and contrasting them.

In American culture we celebrate the Fourth of July also known as Independence Day. Fourth of July celebrates the Declaration of Independence being ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, this created our country. Independence Day started on July 4, 1777, the people celebrated by having Congress adjourning, bonfires, bells and fireworks. Some of the ways the Fourth of July is celebrated are through fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, ceremonies and wearing red white and blue. Fourth of July was made a holiday when “congress passed a bill making Independence Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1870. In 1941, the law was amended to make it a paid holiday for federal employees.” (Walrath-Holdridge, Par.3). The celebration of Fourth of July has not changed much over the years, things have been added. People of the United States participate in this celebration whether it be block parties, fireworks and barbecues or fairs, concerts and baseball games. This is a day filled with “joy, patriotism, and gratitude” (How Americans spend 4th of July, Par. 13). Independence day is a federal holiday, all non-essential federal institutions are closed on the fourth. This holiday reinforces the collective identity of the United States, it also “reinforces the concept of nationalism and solidifies the bond between individuals and their nation” (A Sociological Analysis, Par. 3). For me Independence day is important because it created our country, it also reminds us that we are free. I chose this holiday because I love this country and what it stands for. My family and I celebrate this holiday alot.Something I learned from researching was about the  beginning of the fourth of July and how they celebrated it.

In Canadian culture they have a holiday called Canada day also known as the birthday of canada. Canada day is on July 1. The British North America Act, today it’s known as the Constitution Act, 1867, this created Canada on July 1, 1867. Canada day was first called Dominion day. In1879 a law made July 1 a holiday called Dominion day. Canada gained independence from Great Britain in 1982, the same year they changed the holiday’s name to Canada day. Most communities across the country host celebrations, some celebrations are typically outdoor public events, such as parades, carnivals, festivals, barbecues, air and maritime shows, fireworks, and free musical concerts, as well as citizenship ceremonies. The people who celebrate this are Canadians around the world and in canada. Most retail stores and shopping malls are closed on Canada day. Canada day is a day to “reflect on what it means to be Canadian, to share what makes us proud and to celebrate in our own way. This pride is reflected in as many ways as there are Canadians. Canada Day highlights the richness of our land, our diversity, our culture, our contributions, but above all, our people.” (History of Canada Day, Par. 1). Canada says they will “collectively celebrate this caring, inclusive and welcoming country that so many people from different cultures, religions and nationalities have made their home.” on Canada day (The best on Canada day, Par. 3).  Canada day “marks the country’s confederation, which brought together the three provinces into a single Dominion within the British Empire in 1867. The day is celebrated with excitement and joy on 1 July as on this date Canada became a self-governing nation and a Constitution was enacted.”(Devesh, Par. 1). Canada day is interesting to me because it is similar to the 4th of July. I chose this because the holiday sounded interesting and fun to learn about. I learned about what Canada day is and how they celebrate it.

The common theme between the Fourth of July and Canada day is that they both celebrate their independence on these days. Both Fourth of July and Canada day are celebrated in the same month. Fourth of July is celebrated on July 4th and Canada day is celebrated on July 1st. Some of the traditions that are similar include “barbecues, fireworks, parades, picnics and special sporting events.”(Canada Day + Fourth of July, Par. 1). Fourth of July and Canada day both gained their independence from the United Kingdom. The national anthem is played on their independence day and they display their flags. Canada sings “God Save the King” and “O Canada” and America sings “The Star-Spangled Banner”. They are a day to relax and enjoy the celebrations of independence with the creation of their country. There are many differences between the Fourth of July and Canada day. This year Canada will turn 157 years old. The United States of America will be 248 years old on the fourth of July. Canada is not fully independent from the UK. They got their independence 91 years apart. Canada and the United States have very different intensities while celebrating, “‘These two holidays are like everything else involving the two countries,’ said James Stein, a Canadian businessman operating in Montreal and Edmonton who has spent several Fourths of July in the United States commencing with his undergraduate years at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. ‘Here in Canada, we’re a little bit understated. It’s just our style.’”(Shribman). The United States of America fought for our independence with a war with the UK, we became our own country. Canada got their independence by the passing of the British North America Act that made Canada a self-governing dominion within the British Empire.

Although the Fourth of July and Canada day are different they share some of the same values, tradition, respect, and importance. Culture is important because it is a reflection of a community and nation. Culture is an extremely vital determining factor in how a particular community responds, reacts, and grows, both individually and together. Culture can be the traditions, customs, knowledge that’s passed down, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, habits and holidays we celebrate or practice. Some aspects of different cultures have similar practices. Celebrating the independence of your country has a significant impact on the culture you grow up in.

Work Cited

“A Sociology of the Fourth of July: A Sociological Analysis”, Applied Worldwide, https://appliedworldwide.com/a-sociology-of-the-fourth-of-july-a-sociological-analysis/?expand_article=1

“Canada day and the Fourth of July – Celebrate the Green way” (2014, June 27) Just energy https://justenergy.com/blog/canada-day-and-the-fourth-of-july-celebrate-the-green-way/#:~:text=We’re%20on%20the%20same,picnics%20and%20special%20sporting%20events.

“How americans spend 4th of july?” (2023, Jul 03). Al Bawaba Retrieved from http://168.156.198.98:2048/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/how-americans-spend-4th-july/docview/2832230728/se-2

Kumar, Devesh (2023, June 30) “Canada Day 2023: How is it Celebrated and the History Behind it.” Mint https://www.livemint.com/news/world/canada-day-2023-how-it-is-celebrated-and-the-history-behind-it-read-here-11688144010876.html

Shribman, D. (2017, Jul 03). “Canada day and july 4th: A tale of two national holidays.” The Globe and Mail Retrieved from http://168.156.198.98:2048/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/canada-day-july-4th-tale-two-national-holidays/docview/1915230449/se-2

“The history of Canada Day” (2023, June 29)  La Fete Du Canada Day   https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day/about.html

“Think of the best on canada day: Canada day.” (2015, Jun 30). The Spectator Retrieved from http://168.156.198.98:2048/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/think-best-on-canada-day/docview/1691979038/se-2

Walrath-Holdridge, Mary, “Feasting, drinking and blowing things up: The history of US Independence Day”, USA Today, 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/03/history-of-independence-day-usa/70371383007/