New Brunswick Day
Celebrated in the Canadian province of the same name, New Brunswick Day is a holiday that celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of the people of this province. It is observed annually on the first Monday in August, and many towns in New Brunswick hold special birthday parties for the province.
It is a statutory holiday in which many residents have the day off, and many non-essential government agencies and businesses are closed. There are also large communal meals, live music, sporting events, and other activities that are historically or culturally significant.
The History of New Brunswick Day in Canada
For over 6,000 years, the area that is now the New Brunswick province has been populated by indigenous peoples of the First Nations community. Then, during the 17th and 18th centuries, the area was colonized — first by the French and later by the British.
It would become one of the four provinces of Canada that formed the Canadian Confederation in 1867. This day was created as a holiday in 1976 and has been celebrated in the province ever since. In 1991, the New Brunswick Day Awards were added to the official holiday celebrations.
Observing New Brunswick Day in Canada
Many communities throughout the province hold birthday parties to celebrate this day. These parties can include live music and entertainment, a huge birthday cake, face painting booths, and large communal meals. In some places, this is a breakfast meal, and in others, it is more of a dinner meal.
Other events that occur on this day include storyteller readings, sporting events, and festivals. It is a day for the community to come together and enjoy their shared heritage with one another. It is also a day to have a bit of fun and a day off for the general public.