Canada Day

Today is Canada's 140th birthday. Canadians from across the nation sit back in their lounges, drink a celebratory beverage, generally will fire up the BBQ, and enjoy a restful day.

Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada) is Canada's national holiday, marking the beginnings of the present form of the country on July 1, 1867. It is a federal holiday celebrated on July 1, annually (see exception below), by all provincial governments and most businesses across the country.

Canada Day is often referred to as "Canada's birthday," particularly in the popular press. However, some of the constituents out of which the Canadian confederation was formed called themselves "Canada" prior to 1867, and most of the present provinces of Canada did not join the federation until well after that year. This demonstrates the evolutionary nature of Canada's road to independence, which did not actually end until the country became a sovereign kingdom through proclamation of the Constitution Act, by Queen Elizabeth II, in 1982. Thus, Canada Day is an anniversary of the granting of Royal Assent to the British North America Act, as opposed to a national birthday or a day marking Canada's independence.

Many of the country's newspaper's post Canada Quizzes to stump the collective minds of their readers. Later there will be articles deploring the fact that Canadians know little about their nation's history.

I'm sure that you could do better . . . .

1: What is the origin of the name "Canada"?

• French word meaning village or settlement
• Huron-Iroquois word meaning village or settlement
• Inuit word meaning village or settlement
• Cree word meaning village or settlement
• Norse word meaning village or settlement

2: Who was the first Prime Minister of Canada?

• Sir Wilfrid Laurier
• Sir Ronald MacDonald
• Sir Thomas Donnely
• Sir John A. MacDonald
• Sir Winston Churchill

3: What animal is on the Canadian quarter?

• Beaver
• Caribou
• Moose
• Chicken
• Loon

4: How many oceans touch Canada?

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

5: How many countries border Canada?

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

6: How many provinces are there in Canada?

• 6
• 8
• 10
• 12
• 13

7: What is the capital city of Canada (the national capital)?

• Mississauga
• Toronto
• Ottawa
• Vancouver
• Montreal

8: True or False? Canada is the world's second largest country, by land mass?

• TRUE
• FALSE

9: What is the Canadian $1 coin called?

• The Buck
• The Dollar
• The Loonie
• The Toonie
• Canadian Tire Money

10: How many territories in Canada?

• 2
• 3
• 4 

11: When was the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms included in the Constitution Act?

• 1867
• 1922
• 1949
• 1982
• 1983

12: True or False? Superman was created by a Canadian?

• TRUE
• FALSE

13: Who were the first people to live in Canada?

• Europeans
• Americans
• Aboriginals
• McCallions
• Norsemen

14: What is the leader of Canada called?

• The Premier
• The President
• The Jerk
• The Prime Minister
• The King/Queen

15: What leaf is on the Canadian flag?

• Birch
• Fig
• Poplar
• Marijuana
• Maple

16: What is the Canadian national anthem called?

• Oh Canada
• Oh Susanna
• O Canada
• Oh What a Beautiful Morning
• The Maple Leaf Forever

17: What is the big prize for the Canadian Football League (CFL) called?

• The Gray Cup
• The Stanley Cup
• The Grey Cup
• The Calder Cup
• The Athletic Cup

18: What rodent is described by the Canadian Encyclopedia as having had a greater impact on the history and exploration of Canada than any other plant or animal species?

• rat
• mouse
• chipmunk
• beaver
• Mickey Mouse

19: What measurement is used in Canada to measure temperature?

• fahrenheit
• decibels
• celsius
• litres
• kilograms

20: How many national languages does Canada have?

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• none

21: What was the name of the system of safe passages and safehouses that allowed American slaves to escape to freedom in Canada?

• The Bearing Strait
• Freedom Train
• Highway to Heaven
• The Underground Railroad
• The French Resistance

22: Name the first Canadian to win a Nobel Peace Prize?

• Lester B. Pearson
• Charlie Farqharson
• Wayne Gretzky
• Pierre Trudeau
• Banting and Best

23: What is Laura Secord famous for?

• Chocolates and Truffles in the early 1800's
• Warned Americans of Cuban Missile Crisis
• Warned the Canadians about the Free Trade Agreement
• Warned the British of the impending attack on Canada by the Americans during the war of 1812
• Guiness Book of World Records Pie-Eating Contest

24: How many time zones in Canada?

• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7

25: What is the name of the highest mountain in Canada?

• Mount Rushmore
• Mount Everest
• Mount Logan
• Mount Trudeau
• Mount Vesuvius

Comments

[sandi @ the whistlestop cafe]

Answers?
I think I know 5~ what do I win?

[Rose]

Happy Canada Day! Eat, drink and enjoy the day! I get an A+ on the quiz.

[Jerry]

Sandi - you win a martini in Savannah (as long as the martini purists promise that there will be NO lectures!)

Well done Rose - I shall provide you with your prize when you visit in August!