CANADA HISTORY

July 1st, 1867


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July 1, 1867, dawned as a clear and sunny day across what was now, for the first time, the Dominion of Canada. The air was filled with anticipation and excitement, as the long-awaited moment of Confederation had arrived. As midnight passed on June 30th, a signal was given that set off a wave of celebration across the newly formed country. Church bells, housed in towers across Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick, began to ring out, their peals echoing through towns and cities as they heralded the birth of a new nation.

In the major centers, the Queen’s proclamation—formally establishing the union of these provinces—was read aloud to gathered crowds, marking the momentous occasion. In Ottawa, the capital of the new Dominion, the proclamation was received with great ceremony. Following the reading, parades filled the streets, as people from all walks of life came together to celebrate this historic day. Soldiers in crisp uniforms, schoolchildren, and dignitaries marched through the streets, accompanied by brass bands playing patriotic tunes, their music adding to the joyful atmosphere.

In Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, and other key cities, people poured out into the streets to join in the festivities, waving flags and cheering. Confederation was not just a political event but a profound national milestone, symbolizing a new beginning for the former British North American colonies. The cities were draped in the colors of the Union Jack, and the newly adopted Canadian symbols, as shopfronts and homes were festooned with banners and decorations.

At Ottawa, the political heart of the young Dominion, the celebrations reached their peak. A grand 101-gun salute reverberated through the capital, shaking the ground around Parliament Hill and the surrounding areas. The booming sound was a tribute to the sovereignty of Canada and a reflection of the aspirations that lay ahead. The people of Ottawa, joined by politicians, military personnel, and local dignitaries, looked on in awe as the cannons fired in unison, each blast resonating with the significance of the day.

Across the provinces, speeches were delivered by leaders who had worked tirelessly to make Confederation a reality, including John A. Macdonald and Georges-Étienne Cartier, who spoke of unity, prosperity, and the future of the nation. Their words inspired the crowds, who cheered for the new government and the bright future they believed lay ahead for Canada.

Though the celebrations varied from town to town, the spirit of the day was consistent: Canada, on this first day of July 1867, had taken its first steps as a united and independent nation, a milestone that would shape its identity and destiny for years to come. The day closed with fireworks lighting up the evening sky, a fitting end to a day that would forever be remembered in Canadian history as Dominion Day—the birth of Canada.



July 1st, 1867 - Canada

Ottawa was the site which witnessed the birth of a new country as the ceremonies were initiated in the new capital of Canada, an old logging operation along the Ottawa River which took the name of the River as it's own. The location was a compromise choice which signalled a new beginning for the four provinces which now formed Canada. The location which was in the Northwest part of the four provinces may have indicated the immense expansion which was to take place over the next 10 years to the Pacific Coast.



The New Parliament Buildings

Lord Monck became the first Governor General of Canada and as his first official duty he swore in John A Macdonald as the first Prime Minister, William McDougall, E.P. Howland, Tilley, Cartier and Galt as Finance Minister. Macdonald was made a Knight Commander of Bath by order of Queen Victoria and the other were made Companions of the Bath. By noon the official part of Canada on the day of its birth. The celebrations went on well into the evening with lights, lamps, bonfires and fireworks lighting the parties and the sky. The great deal had been done and the colonies had been brought together as one state with responsible government in the form of the Canadian Parliament.



George Cartier



John A Macdonald

The new country consisted of approximately 3,300,00 million citizens. mainly in Ontario, with about 42% being of the Catholic faith. (Mainly of French and Irish descent) Most of the others were of English Protestant descent. About 81% of the people lived on farms or in the countryside with industry being only a minor part of the overall economy. Montreal was the largest city with about 100,000 people and then came Toronto and Quebec City with about 60,000 each and Ottawa at about 17,000.



Ottawa 1867

John A. Macdonald became the first Prime Minister of Canada due to his tireless efforts in uniting the former British Colonies and his unerring ability to glean a compromised solution from the process of creating Canada as he pushed the union along. He was also Knighted by Queen Victoria and took his seat in Parliament as the leader of the party with the majority of members. This was the beginning of Canada and the jumping off point in what was to become known as the Macdonald era in Canadian politics.



A time to Celebrate

Actual elections were held on September 18th, 1867 and on November 7th, 1867 Parliament convened with John A Macdonald as the victorious Prime Minister.



Governor General Monck


Cite Article : www.canadahistory.com/sections/documents



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