Anniversary Of The Statute Of Westminster
The Statute of Westminster is an act of the Parliament of the UK that established the relationship between the Commonwealth realms and the Crown. This act affirmed Canadian autonomy and recognized the independence of dominions that had existed since the Treaty of Versailles.
Canada (Observance)It is seen by many Canadians as the foundation of the present-day Commonwealth and the day on which Canada received its voice. The Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster commemorates this event and is observed annually on December 11th across Canada.
This is a day on which the Canadian flag and the Royal Union flag are flown together, and Canadians can feel proud of their place in their country and the world.
The History of the Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster
The Royal Union flag, otherwise known as the Union Jack, was first raised in Canada at a British settlement after 1610 in Newfoundland. Two hundred and sixty years later, the flag would be incorporated into the flags of the Governor-General and the Lieutenant Governors of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec.
The flag would be used as a Canadian symbol and would even be used by Canadian troops during the First World War. After WWI, however, Canada sought its independence from the British Crown or rather wanted its own voice. In 1931, the Statute of Westminster was passed in Great Britain, and this gave Canada the autonomy it so desperately wanted.
In 1964, Canada approved the Union Jack to be used as a symbol of Canada’s membership in the Commonwealth of Nations. It is now flown alongside the Canadian flag for holidays such as this one, as well as Commonwealth Day and Victoria Day.
Observing the Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster
On this day, both the Canadian flag and the Union Jack are flown from government offices and some businesses all over Canada. They are also raised at military bases and other government-controlled entities.
Canada (Observance)
