Canada Day is Canada's national holiday, on July 1, or July 2 if July 1 is a Sunday.
It celebrates the creation of a Canadian Confederation through the British North America Act, on July 1, 1867, by uniting the Province of Canada (Quebec and Ontario) with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
The holiday itself was formally established in 1879 and was originally called "Dominion Day"; the name was changed to "Canada Day" on October 22, 1982.
It is a mandatory holiday across Canada for all federal institutions. It is also celebrated by all provincial governments and businesses across Canada. The Quebec provincial government formerly refused to recognize the celebration.