Commonwealth Day 2021 in Canada

Commonwealth Day 2021 in Canada will fall on 8 March, but it will not be commemorated as a public holiday in the country.

Let’s talk about Commonwealth Day from the list of Holidays 2021. If you are unsure of when or how Commonwealth Day 2021 should be observed in Canada, keep reading this article. You will get detailed insights about the commemoration, when and why it is honoured, and all that it entails.

Commonwealth Day in Canada raises a toast to the Union of the Commonwealth of the Nations which used to be a part of the British Empire. It is celebrated by an Anglican service in Westminster, which is usually addressed by Queen Elizabeth II, as the head of Commonwealth, along with the General Secretary.

When is Commonwealth Day in 2021?

8

March, 2021

(Monday)

Commonwealth Day	in Canada

Is Commonwealth Day A Public Holiday In Canada?

Commonwealth Day in Canada is not a public holiday in the country but merely an observance, according to Holidays 2021. It occurs on the second Monday of March each year, and businesses, schools, retail stores, etc. follow their usual schedule for the day. This year, the celebration will fall on 8 March 2021.

Commonwealth Day Holiday History in Canada

After the demise of Queen Victoria in 1901, her birthday was celebrated as Empire Day, even though it was not a formally recognized affair. But in 1916, the commemoration was declared to be an official event, and this was extended throughout the Commonwealth nations. Empire Day holds a symbol of unity of feeling honour in the ideals of freedom, justice and forbearance for which the British stood in front of the world.

The Commonwealth Day was founded on 11 December 1931. The second Monday of March was chosen as the date because it had no previous historical connotations. Thus, it was a day exclusive to the British Empire and the Commonwealth union. The principal idea was to remind the children that they are a part of the British Empire. This was so that they realized, along with others that formed the unity of Commonwealth Nations, what it meant to be the sons and daughters of the famed, renowned Empire.

However, after the Constitution Act, 1982 as Canada gained independence from Britain, the country drifted from this feel. Therefore, in 1958, Harold Macmillan, then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, declared the renaming of the Empire Day to Commonwealth Day. Every year Commonwealth Day holds a different theme, and according to that, the people of Canada mark their celebrations. Commonwealth Day serves to promote the issues and core values of the countries that are a part of the unity of the Commonwealth nations.

Public Life on Commonwealth Day In Canada

The public life on Commonwealth Day in Canada involves no uniform manner of a convention for the celebration. Throughout the day, people contribute to marking the work, dedication, and gratitude of the Commonwealth of Nations to the creation of an amicable international atmosphere. On Commonwealth Day in Canada, the Royal Union Flag is raised alongside the Canadian national flag from sunrise to sunset. However, they are flown together only where two flagpoles are available at establishments including federal buildings, military bases, airports, and more.

When the official Maple Leaf flag was resolved by the parliament in 1964, they decided to retain the Union Jack. It was a symbol of the country’s inclusion in the Union of the Commonwealth, as well as their allegiance to the Crown. Other activities on the day include listening to the Queen’s speech for the day, special programs, ceremonies, and assemblies.

Commonwealth Day Observances

Year Weekday Date Name Holiday Type
2019 Mon 11 March Commonwealth Day Observance
2020 Mon 9 March Commonwealth Day Observance
2021 Mon 8 March Commonwealth Day Observance
2022 Mon 14 March Commonwealth Day Observance
2023 Mon 13 March Commonwealth Day Observance
2024 Mon 11 March Commonwealth Day Observance
2025 Mon 10 March Commonwealth Day Observance

FAQs

1. Who are the Commonwealth nations?

There are 53 members of the Commonwealth system to the extent. Few nations are realms, meaning the Queen is Sovereign, some are independent Republics, while others are the Monarchies, i.e., they have their own monarch as Head of State.

2. Which countries celebrate Commonwealth Day along with Canada?

Commonwealth Day is celebrated by the oldest members of the Union, which are Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia as they all joined in 1931.

3. Is there a Commonwealth flag?

The flag of the union of the Commonwealth of Nations is considered to be an official flag which includes the symbol of the Commonwealth in gold on a blue background. It’s a golden globe surrounded by 34 sunrays forming the letter C.

Tl;dr For those who only wish to know When is Commonwealth Day in 2021? The date is 8 March, Monday.

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Quick Facts

This year: Mon, 8 March 2021
Next year: Mon, 14 March 2022
Last year: Mon, 9 March 2020
Type: Observance

Commonwealth Day - Names in Other Languages

English: Commonwealth Day
French: Jour du Commonwealth
Irish: Lá an Chomhlathais
Italian: Giornata del Commonwealth
Spanish: Día de la Commonwealth
Scottish: Latha a ’Cho-fhlaitheis
German: Commonwealth-Tag