Victoria Day in Canada (English. Victoria Day, fr. Fête de la Reine is celebrated on the Monday before May 25 (long weekend) and was established in honor of the birthday of Queen Victoria of England (May 24, 1819). It was once the main holiday of the entire British Empire. Now it has been forgotten even in the UK.
As a national holiday and public holiday, Victoria Day began to be celebrated in Canada after the Queen's death in 1901, when the Parliament of Canada passed an Act establishing an official holiday on May 24 under the name Victoria Day Holiday. An amendment to the Status of Canada resolution in 1952 established the celebration of Victoria Day on the Monday preceding May 25.
This is the day when tribute is paid to Queen Victoria, who played a very important role in Canadian history. A telling indication of Canadian recognition of this role is that cities and towns across Canada are named after Victoria, and rarely does any Canadian locality have a street or avenue named after her.
But in fact, no magnificent celebrations are usually planned for Victoria Day in Canada. Only a few cities host festive parades and ceremonial events. Official protocol requires that on Victoria Day the British flag be raised from dawn to dusk on all federal government buildings. In the capital of each province, a royal salute (a 21-gun salute) thunders at noon.
Traditional for Canada these days is the opening of summer resorts and recreation parks, where regular action of fountains and attractions begins, and spring gardening work is in full swing in the courtyards and summer cottages of Canadians.