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New Year’s Eve
New Year's Eve falls on December 31, the day before the first day of the calendar year. In Canada and many other countries around the world, New Year's Eve is a festive occasion marked by boisterous celebrations to welcome in the new year. Many people go to New Year's Eve parties; some are formal black tie affairs, others encourage guests to wear glittery party hats, use noise makers and throw streamers and confetti. The clock is monitored and as midnight draws near, everyone counts down the final ten seconds aloud. At the stroke of midnight, everyone shouts “Happy New Year!" and often couples kiss. Outdoors, bells, sirens and firecrackers are sometimes heard. People also drink a toast to the new year and often sing Auld Lang Syne.
New Year’s Day
People around the world celebrate the new year on different dates, but in Canada, January first is New Year’s Day. The early Roman calendar used March 1 as New Year's Day. Later, the ancient Romans made January first the beginning of the year. During the Middle Ages, most European countries used March 25th, a Christian holiday called Annunciation Day, to start the year. By 1600, many Western nations had adopted a revised calendar called the Gregorian calendar. This calendar, the one used today, restored January first as New Year's Day. Great Britain and its colonies, including Canada, adopted it in 1752. Many Canadians spend New Year’s Day recovering from traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations. It is a statutory holiday and often marks the day before people return to work after the Christmas season.
Valentine’s Day
February 14th is Valentine's Day and is celebrated as a lovers' holiday by the giving of flowers, candy or other gifts. It originated in fifth Century Rome as a tribute to St. Valentine, a Catholic bishop. For eight hundred years prior to the establishment of Valentine's Day, the Romans practiced a pagan celebration in mid-February, commemorating young men's rite of passage, to the god Lupercus. The celebration featured a lottery in which young men would draw the names of teenage girls from a box. The girl assigned to each young man in that manner would be his sexual companion during the remaining year.
In an effort to do away with the pagan festival, Pope Gelasius ordered a slight change in the lottery. Instead of the names of young women, the box would contain the names of saints. Both men and women were allowed to draw from the box, and the game was to emulate the ways of the saint they drew during the rest of the year. Instead of the pagan god Lupercus, the Church looked for a suitable patron saint of love to take his place. They found an appropriate choice in St. Valentine who, in AD 270, was beheaded by Emperor Claudius. Claudius determined that married men made poor soldiers, so he banned marriage from his empire. Valentine would secretly marry young men that came to him and, when Claudius found out about Valentine, he tried to convert him to paganism. Valentine reversed the strategy, trying instead to convert Claudius: when he failed, he was stoned and beheaded. During the days that Valentine was imprisoned, he fell in love with the blind daughter of his jailer. His love for her and his great faith managed to miraculously heal her blindness before his death. Before he was led to his death, he signed a farewell message to her, "From your Valentine"; the phrase has been used on his day ever since.
Although the lottery for women had been banned by the church, the mid-February holiday in commemoration of St. Valentine was still celebrated by Roman men to seek the affection of women. It became a tradition for men to give the ones they admired handwritten messages of affection, containing Valentine's name. The first Valentine card grew out of this practice. The first true Valentine card was sent, in 1415, by Charles, Duke of Orléans, who was imprisoned in the Tower of London ,to his wife.
Cupid, another symbol of the holiday, became associated because he was the son of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty.
St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th. St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, travelled across Ireland for 30 years converting the native pagans to Christianity. He died on March 17th, AD 461 and the day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.
Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day evolved into a more secular holiday. One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock An Irish tale tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity; he used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.
In Canada, it is customary to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day and those who don’t are punished with a pinch. Canadians often go to pubs on the evening of March 17th to drink green beer (regular beer coloured with green food colouring), listen to Celtic music and sing Irish songs.
April Fool’s Day
In Canada, on April first, only pranksters celebrate April Fool’s Day. In sixteenth-century France, the start of the new year was observed on April first and was celebrated with parties and dancing into the late hours of the night. Then, in 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world and the new year fell on January first. There were some people, however, who had not heard or did not believe the date change, so they continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April first. Others played tricks on them and called them April fools. They sent them on a fool's errand or tried to make them believe that something false was true.
Today, Canadians play small tricks on friends and strangers on April first. Whatever the trick, if the innocent victim falls for the joke, the prankster yells, “April Fools!”. Some practical jokes are maintained throughout the day, before the victim realizes what day it is. Most April Fool jokes are in good fun and not meant to harm anyone. The most clever joke is the one which makes everyone laugh, especially the person upon whom the joke is played.
Easter
In Christian countries, Easter is a religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God, but celebrations of Easter have many customs and legends that are pagan in origin and have nothing to do with Christianity.
The Christian celebration of Easter embodies a number of converging traditions with emphasis on the relation of Easter to the Jewish festival of Passover. Passover is an important feast in the Jewish calendar which is celebrated for eight days and commemorates the flight and freedom of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
Easter is observed by the churches of the West on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or following the spring equinox. It can occur as early as March 22nd or as late as April 25th.
Easter is at the end of the Lenten season, which covers a forty-six-day period that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter. Lent is a period of penitence in preparation for the highest festival of the church year; Easter.
Holy Week, the last week of Lent, begins with the observance of Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday takes its name from Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem where the crowds laid palms at his feet. Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, which was held the evening before the Crucifixion. Friday in Holy Week, known as Good Friday, is the anniversary of the Crucifixion, the day that Christ was crucified and died on the cross. Holy week and Lent end with Easter Sunday, the day of resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Monday following Easter Sunday is a statutory holiday in Canada and Easter dinner is traditionally served on either Sunday or Monday. Baked ham or roast turkey is common.
Of all the symbols associated with Easter, the egg, the symbol of fertility and new life, is the most identifiable. The customs and traditions of using eggs have been associated with Easter for centuries. Originally, Easter eggs were painted with bright colours to represent the sunlight of spring and were used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. After they were coloured and etched with various designs, the eggs were exchanged by lovers and admirers. In medieval times, eggs were traditionally given to the servants. Different cultures have developed their own ways of decorating Easter eggs and today, in Canada, egg decorating is usually an activity done with children at school or home and the eggs are simply displayed for decorative purposes. The traditional Easter egg hunt dates back to Roman times. The Romans celebrated the Easter season by running races on an oval track and giving eggs as prizes.
The Easter Bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. The rabbit was the most fertile animal known and it served as symbols of new life during the spring season. The bunny, as an Easter symbol, seems to have its origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings of the 1500’s. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800’s and were made of pastry and sugar. The Easter bunny was introduced to North American folklore by German settlers who arrived during the 1700’s.
Today, on Easter morning, children join in a search to locate chocolate eggs and other candies, hidden during the night by the Easter Bunny. Easter egg hunts are also part of community celebrations with large Easter egg hunts in public places.
Victoria Day
Victoria Day is celebrated in Canada on a Monday on or prior to May 24th. It is the official celebration of the birthdays of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of India, was born on May 24th, 1819. She ascended the throne after the death of her uncle George IV, in 1837, when she was only 18. She ruled until her death in 1901, when her son Edward VII became king of England.
Victoria Day was established as a holiday in Canada West (now Ontario) in 1845, and became a national holiday in 1901. Before Victoria Day became a national holiday, people celebrated Empire Day, beginning in the 1890’s as Victoria approached her Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The City of Victoria celebrates its namesake with an annual Victoria Day parade. The Victoria Day Parade is one of the largest parades in the Pacific Northwest and features floats and marching bands from across British Columbia, Washington and Oregon. Afterwards, family picnics or afternoon teas are common.
National Aboriginal Day
In 1996, the former Governor General of Canada proclaimed June 21st National Aboriginal Day. All Canadians recognize the diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. Activities differ across the country, but may include pow-wows, presentations and guest speakers on Aboriginal culture, Aboriginal foods, arts and crafts, dancing, drumming and singing. This year in Victoria, a major sculpture, Four Winds, by artist Chris Johnson was unveiled in celebration of National Aboriginal Day. Johnson, also known as Ice Bear, is a member of Chippewas of Nawash from Cape Croker, Ontario. The sculpture is approximately 4 metres tall, contains faces representing the Four Winds and represents an environmental warning to respect Mother Earth and to help her heal. Our own health and future and that of all her creatures depends on what we do in future years.
Canada Day
In Canada, July first celebrates the creation of the Canadian federal government by the British North America Act in 1867. It is a statutory holiday and traditional activities across the country include hanging the Canadian flag on homes, community picnics and BBQ’s, cake cuttings, red and white decorations and fireworks. The focal point for many Canadians on July first is Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario. Its ceremonies and celebrations are broadcast on national television and radio into the homes of Canadians from coast to coast. Canada Day in Canada's Capital Region would not be complete without the traditional flag-raising, the Changing of the Guard ceremony, the RCMP Musical Ride, the breathtaking fly-past of the Snowbirds and the noon-time show featuring Canadian artists from across the country. In the evening, Parliament Hill becomes centre stage for a spectacular show featuring top Canadian performers and the Canada Day fireworks display.
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Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a day for giving thanks for blessings received during the year. The holiday is celebrated in Canada on the second Monday in October and people give thanks through feasting and prayer. Thanksgiving is usually celebrated, in family groups, at a traditional dinner including: roast turkey, cranberries, potatoes, yams and pumpkin pie. Decorations follow a harvest theme in oranges, yellows, reds and browns, and scarecrows, turkeys, corn, pumpkins and other gourds decorate front doors, windows and tables.
Thanksgiving is adapted from a holiday celebrated in America. The first Thanksgiving observance in America was entirely religious and did not involve feasting. In 1619, a group of 38 English settlers arrived at Berkeley Plantation, on the James River near what is now Charles City, Virginia, and the group's charter required that the day of arrival be observed yearly as a day of thanksgiving to God.
The first Thanksgiving feast took place in New England and was celebrated in Plymouth less than a year after the Plymouth colonists had settled in America. The first winter in Massachusetts killed almost half the members of the colony. New hope, however, arose in the summer when settlers expected a good corn harvest, despite poor crops of peas, wheat and barley. The governor arranged a harvest festival in early autumn to give thanks to God for the progress the colony had made. The festival lasted three days. The men of Plymouth shot ducks, geese and turkeys and the menu also included clams, eel and other fish, wild plums, leeks, corn bread and watercress. The women of the settlement supervised cooking over outdoor fires. About 90 Aboriginals also attended the festival, bringing deer meat. Everyone ate outdoors at large tables and enjoyed games and a military review. Similar harvest festivals wwere held in Plymouth during the next several years and Thanksgiving was born.
Hallowe'en
Hallowe'en, celebrated on October 31, originated among the Celts. They worshiped both a Sun God and Samhain, the lord of the dead and of the cold, dark winter season. They believed that, on October 31, Samhain would call together the dead and their souls would wander the Earth. The Druids, Celtic priests, performed ceremonies and built fires on hilltops, believing the large fires would help to strengthen the Sun God and give him enough power to overcome Samhain.
When the Celts were conquered by the Roman Catholics, the Romans brought their own customs and traditions. They had an established All Saints Day or All Hallows Day on November first, when all saints who did not have their own declared holiday were honoured. The church hoped that, by establishing this holiday, it would do away with the vigil of Samhain and the other ceremonies held on October 31.
Soon, witchcraft came about and October 31 was renamed Night of the Witch. It was believed that the devil and his followers, including demons and witches, came out on this night to perform unholy acts and to make a mockery of the All Hallows Day celebration. October 31st was then called All Hallows Even and through the years the name was shortened to Hallowe'en.
Today in Canada, Hallowe'en is celebrated by dressing up in costumes that range from traditional ghosts and witches to anything creative. Adults attend Hallowe'en parties and children go trick-or-treating, a practice of going door-to-door in costume to collect candy. At each door, the children shout “Trick or Treat!” and, unless the homeowner wishes to have a trick played on him, the children are rewarded with a treat. Children are rarely refused treats and tricks are not actually carried out. Decorations include: witches, ghosts, bats, black cats and, of course, pumpkins and Jack-o’-lanterns.
The Jack-o'-lantern originates in Ireland. It is said that Jack was a legendary, stingy drunkard. He tricked the Devil into climbing an apple tree for a juicy apple and then quickly carved the sign of the cross into the tree trunk, preventing the Devil from coming down. Jack made the Devil swear that he wouldn't come after his soul in any way and the Devil promised. Jack eventually died and when he arrived at the gates of heaven, he was turned away because he was a stingy, mean drunk. Desperate for a resting place, he went to the Devil, but the Devil, true to his word, turned him away. The night was dark and the way was long, so the Devil tossed him a coal lit from the fire of Hell. Jack, who was eating a turnip at the time, placed the coal inside and used it to light his way. Since that day, he has travelled the world over with his Jack-O'-Lantern in search of a place to rest. Irish children carved out turnips and potatoes to light the night on Halloween. When the Irish came to North America, they found that a pumpkin made an even better lantern, and so the tradition began.
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day, November 11th, marks the signing of the armistice at 11 am on November 11th, 1918 to signal the end of World War I. The dead of World War II and of all other wars are also remembered. In Canada, and in most of the Commonwealth and parts of Europe, it is observed by two minutes of silence. Memorial processions and ceremonies are carried out across the country at war memorials. Military leaders and veterans read aloud the poem In Flanders Field, music is played and colourful flower wreaths are laid. Red paper poppies are sold, the proceeds going to war veterans, and are worn on coat lapels. In Canada, government and banks typically close for the day.
Christmas
Christmas is a festive time filled with great spiritual significance. Next to Easter, Christmas is the most important holiday of the Christian year and celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is observed on December 25th. On this day, many observants go to church, where they take part in special religious services. During the Christmas season, gifts are exchanged and homes are decorated with holly, mistletoe and Christmas trees.
The word Christmas comes from cristes maesse, an early Latin phrase that means Mass of Christ. The first mention of December 25th as the birth date of Jesus occurred in AD 336 in an early Roman calendar. The celebration of this day as Jesus' birth date was probably influenced by pagan festivals held at that time. Various cultures in northern Europe held festivals in mid-December to celebrate the end of the harvest season. As part of these celebrations, the people prepared special foods, decorated their homes with greenery and joined in singing and gift giving. These customs gradually became part of the Christmas celebration.
In the 1800's, two more Christmas customs became popular: decorating Christmas trees and sending Christmas cards. Many well-known Christmas carols were also composed during this period. The Christmas tree most likely developed in part from the Paradise Tree, an evergreen decorated with apples used in a popular play about Adam and Eve held on December 24th in medieval Germany. By 1605, some Germans decorated their homes with evergreens for Christmas. They trimmed the trees with fruits, nuts, lighted candles and paper roses. Later, decorations included painted eggshells, cookies and candies. The first Christmas trees in North America were used in the early 1800's by German settlers in Pennsylvania. During the mid-1800's, the custom of trimming Christmas trees spread rapidly throughout the world. Today, some form of Christmas tree is part of every Christmas celebration. Decorations include lights, bright ornaments and tinsel. A star or angel is mounted on top of many Christmas trees, representing how the wise men and other followers were led to the stable in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. Christmas is a statutory holiday in Canada and Christmas dinner with family is traditional; roast turkey is most common.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is the night before Christmas, December 24th. Businesses usually close early and some families attend their Christmas church service on this evening, rather than on Christmas Day. Others wait to decorate their Christmas tree on Christmas Eve and children sometimes open a gift. Children hang stockings, in which to receive gifts from Santa Claus, and leave a letter and snack for Santa (typically milk and cookies).
Belief in Santa Claus leads back to a bishop named Nicholas who lived in what is now the country of Turkey. Not much is known about him, but stories tell that he often helped children who were in need. Many years after his death, Nicholas was made a saint; in time, he became the patron saint of children. Saint Nicholas was depicted as a bishop, of course, wearing a red or white robe and a tall, pointed hat. The date of his death, December 6, is an important date in some countries in Europe. On the night before, children put out their shoes and hang up their stockings. Early the next morning, they rush to see what gifts Saint Nicholas left for them. Dutch settlers brought this custom to North America, but their name for Saint Nicholas was Sinterklaas. In English, the name became Santa Claus. Today, Santa Claus visits towns and cities, leads parades, talks to children and is the symbol of gift giving.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights or Feast of Dedication. The Hebrew word Hanukkah (also written Hanukah or Chanukah) means dedication. The Hanukkah holiday begins on the eve of the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev (approximately December) and lasts eight days. During Hanukkah, gifts are exchanged and contributions made to the poor. On the first evening, one candle is lit in a special eight-branched candelabrum called a menorah or hanukkiyah. Beginning on the second night, one candle is added every night until all eight candles are lit. The candles are lit by a separate candle called a shamash.
The two books of Maccabees in the Apocrypha tell the story of Hanukkah. In 165 BC, after a three-year struggle led by Judah Maccabee, the Jews in Judea defeated the Syrian tyrant Antiochus IV. They celebrated by holding festivities in the Temple in Jerusalem, and dedicated it to God. According to the Talmud, written many centuries after the event, when the Jews cleaned the Temple of Syrian idols, they found only one small cruse of oil with which to light their holy lamps. Miraculously, the cruse provided them with oil for eight days. Other sources tell of a torchlight parade in the Temple, which may also have contributed to the tradition of lighting candles on Hanukkah. Today, most Jewish-Canadians celebrate Hanukkah.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a holiday observed in Canada. It is the day after Christmas, December 26, which is also St. Stephen's Day. The traditional celebration of Boxing Day included giving money and other gifts to charitable institutions, needy individuals and people in service jobs. The holiday may date from the Middle Ages (A.D. 400's to 1500's), but the exact origin is unknown. It may have begun with the lords and ladies of England, who presented Christmas gifts (in boxes) to their servants on December 26th, or it may have begun with priests, who opened the church's alms (charity) boxes on the day after Christmas and distributed the contents to the poor. Today in Canada, Boxing Day is not celebrated in a traditional manner. It is usually synonymous with Boxing Day sales, where retail stores offer extreme discounts on Christmas merchandise. Often, many people relax on Boxing Day, after the excitement of opening presents, enjoying new things and preparing a large dinner on Christmas Day.
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