Victoria Day 2019 History, Significance, Facts & Celebrations: Victoria Day is a national Canadian public holiday that is celebrated on the last Monday preceding May 25, in honor of Queen Victoria’s birthday. So, it falls on Monday between 18th and 24th May. This date is sometimes casually considered as the beginning of the summer season in Canada. This day is recognized on which the current Canadian ruler’s official birthday falls.
There are many complications about this day as many people have different reasons to celebrate this day. In Montreal, Victoria Day means the official start of spring, and that you could finally plant flowers in your garden without having to worry about them dying of frost. In Ontario, many people call the holiday as ‘May 2-4’ and like spending the weekend with friends such as going camping, opening up the cottage, and drinking beer around the campfire. In Victoria, there is a massive parade with marching bands, floats, and military marches. In Richmond, the holiday is a nice bonus that many people spend their time with family.
Victoria Day History
The theory is that it started with King George III, during the 1780s. At that time, the way of celebrating this day was by the Trooping the Colour in which military parade was done where each troop’s flags were displayed highly. Since then, this custom has been continued to this day and every year Queen Elizabeth attends the Horse Guards’ “The Queen’s Birthday Parade”.
In 1845, the Ruler’s Birthday was declared a public holiday. It is now known as the Queen’s Birthday, in honor of Queen Victoria.
Victoria Day Facts
- May 24 is considered a very important day in Canada. On May 24, 1918, parliament passed the Statistics Act.
- On Victoria Day in 1854, there was a huge crowd of nearly 5,000 Canadian residents. The crowd was there only to cheer for Queen Victoria in front of Government House in Toronto.
- Victoria Day is also known as May Two-Four, May Long Weekend, May Long, and May Run.
- On Victoria Day, a 21-gun salute is given at the national capital city of Ottawa and in every provincial capital city.
- On Victoria Day 1881, a large boat referred to as ‘Victoria’ sank in Thames River near London. About 182 people lost their lives and due to this, the day is known as the Victoria Day disaster.
- For several years, Empire Day in Great Britain and Victoria Day in Canada were celebrated on the same day.
- Empire Day was renamed Commonwealth Day in 1958. The date remained the same until 1977 when it was moved to March.
- There were more than five assassinations attempt on Queen Victoria during her lifetime.
Canada’s Best Victoria Day Celebrations
This year, Victoria Day is going to be celebrated on Monday, May 20, 2019. In some cities, fireworks displays or parades are held to mark Victoria Day. On this day, one of the famous and outstanding parades is held in the city of Victoria. On Victoria Day, many people gather in the park and enjoy watching firework displays which take place in Hamilton and Toronto. Many people celebrate it by going out on a picnic or spending time with their family.
Upper Canada Village, Morrisburg, Ont.
This authentic 1860s village calls everybody to their special festivities on both Saturday, May 17 as well as on Sunday, May 18. Spectate the costumed villagers toast Queen Victoria’s birthday along with historical speeches, military maneuvers as well as a rousing rendition of ‘God Save the Queen.’
Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alta.
The Victoria Day weekend (May 17) kicks off the park’s periodic program which comprises of such amazing events are must-see. Enjoy the Explorers’ Bus Tour, or discover turtle, mammal, and dinosaur remains on the popular Fossil Safari.
Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend, Clarington, Ont.
Go complete check with a weekend of exciting on-track action. Canadian Tire Motorsport Park accomplishes your requisite for speed with its jam-packed program of NASCAR, Trans-Am, Canadian Touring Car, Porsche GT3, as well as Canadian Supercar races from May 16 to 18. The traditional Victoria Day fireworks are going to cover off Saturday evening’s celebrations. Advance tickets are starting from $50.
Paddlefest, St. Andrews, New Brunswick
Welcome to Paddlefest, this is a yearly celebration of music as well as water-bound adventures. For the duration of the Victoria Day weekend, the charismatic resort town of St. Andrews wakes up from its winter rest to salute the coming of sun-filled days and excited tourists. Some other fun activities such as Hiking, craft vendors, and a children’s program which also features music, BBQs, and face painting round out the celebratory holiday weekend.
Kaslo May Days, Kootenay Rockies, B.C.
Since the year 1892, in every single Victoria Day weekend, Kaslo hosts May Days, which is a three-day jamboree that features music, sport, helicopter tours, vintage cars, and delectable food. Crowds gather every year to marvel at North America’s suitable Logger Sports athletes as they contend in axe throwing, log rolling, springboard chopping as well as tree climbing and many such events.
