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Victoria Day - A Sovereign's Birthday

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KINGS & QUEENS

Visit the official Web site of the British Monarchy.


The Sovereign's birthday has been celebrated in Canada since the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). May 24, Queen Victoria's birthday, was declared a holiday by the Legislature of the Province of Canada in 1845. After Confederation, the Queen's birthday was celebrated every year on May 24 unless that date was a Sunday, in which case a proclamation was issued providing for the celebration on May 25.

Photo: A young Victoria. After the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, an Act was passed by the Parliament of Canada establishing a legal holiday on May 24 in each year (or May 25 if May 24 fell on a Sunday) under the name Victoria Day.

An amendment to the Statutes of Canada in 1952 established the celebration of Victoria Day on the Monday preceding May 25.

From 1953 to 1956, the Queen's birthday was celebrated in Canada on Victoria Day, by proclamation of the Governor General, with Her Majesty's approval. In 1957, Victoria Day was permanently appointed as the Queen's birthday in Canada. In the United Kingdom, the Queen's birthday is celebrated in June.

 

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Image (of a boy in a swimming pool): Click to learn how to contribute to P.R.O. Kids.

By supporting P.R.O. Kids, you can 'level the playing field,' and help more young people take part in sport, culture, art and recreation activities.

Link (from the Kingston Blooms Logo): Click to learn more about the campaign.

Kingston's participation grows in the national Communities in Bloom competition.


This page last modified: May 15, 2006, at 10:41 a.m.