Canadian history · Drawing 13 of 43
Canada is born
July 1, 1867
On July 1, 1867, Canada was born with four provinces: Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In Ottawa, people celebrated with games, music and fireworks.
Look together
How many fireworks can you count in the sky?
An idea to try
Draw fireworks together: start with a dot, then draw lines going out in every direction. Talk about a celebration your family enjoys.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
On July 1, 1867, the British North America Act (now the Constitution Act, 1867) came into force. It united the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick into the Dominion of Canada, with four provinces; the new country was still part of the British Empire. In Ottawa, people welcomed it at midnight with a bonfire and church bells, then enjoyed a lacrosse tournament, races and games; after dark, families across the river in Hull picnicked while watching fireworks.
Not everyone celebrated. Indigenous peoples were not invited to, or represented at, the conferences that led to Confederation, and about 65 per cent of Nova Scotians opposed it. Talk with your child about big decisions: who should have a say when a decision affects everyone?
Sources and illustration notes (3)
An imagined scene: the family is fictional, clothing and fireworks are simplified, and no real person is portrayed.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- The Canadian Encyclopedia — ConfederationUnion of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada on 1 July 1867 as a Dominion of four provinces; Indigenous peoples not invited to or represented at the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences; 65 per cent of Nova Scotians opposed Confederation.
- Government of Canada — The history of Canada DayJuly 1, 1867: the British North America Act (today the Constitution Act, 1867) creates Canada; 1868 proclamation and 1879 statutory holiday.
- Historical Society of Ottawa — Canada’s Birthday 1 July 1867Ottawa celebrations: midnight bonfire and church bells, lacrosse tournament, races and games, evening fireworks watched by people picnicking in Hull; the new Dominion stayed within the British Empire.
Page prepared on September 24, 2026. Illustrations simplify places and scenes; they are not historical documents.
This drawing is from the book Canada’s Great Moments to Colour
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