Victoria Day in Canada ― Date, History, and Details
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History of Victoria Day in Canada and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Victoria Day is a Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the last Monday before May 25, in honour of Queen Victoria’s birthday. As such, it is the Monday between the 18th and the 24th of May inclusive. The date is simultaneously that on which the current Canadian sovereign’s official birthday is recognized. It is sometimes informally considered the beginning of the summer season in Canada.
The holiday has been observed in Canada since at least 1845, originally falling on Victoria’s actual birthday. It was renamed in 1901 after the death of Queen Victoria. The holiday was initially established to mark the end of the long winter and the beginning of planting season.
In Quebec, Victoria Day is known as “Fête de Dollard” and is a celebration of the victory of the Battle of Long Sault.