Why do we celebrate Victoria Day?
May
Warm up:
1. What do know about Victoria Day?
2. When is it?
3. Why do we celebrate it?
For some people, Victoria Day is a sign that summer is just around the corner.
The holiday, which is only celebrated in Canada and Scotland, began as a celebration to honour Queen Victoria’s birthday. She is known as the “Mother of Confederation.”
When is it celebrated?
Who does it celebrate?
Are libraries open?
How is it celebrated?
Do other countries celebrate this day?
Can I go to the museum on this day?
How long did she reign as queen?
reign (v.) = to rule as king or queen
(n.) = the period which a sovereign rules
Happy birthday, Queen Victoria!
The British queen was born on May 24, 1819. She was a reigning monarch (Queen) for 63 years, seven months and two days.
Victoria Day was declared a Canadian holiday by the government in 1845.
At that time, it was celebrated with picnics, parades, sporting tournaments, fireworks and cannon salutes.
When Queen Victoria died in 1901, Canada’s parliament officially named the holiday Victoria Day.
It was decided that the day would be celebrated on May 24th annually (or on May 25th if the 24th fell on a Sunday).
In 1952, the government made the decision to begin celebrating Victoria Day on a Monday. It would be on May 24th if that worked out, or, it would be on the Monday immediately before it.
Today, Victoria Day is a holiday throughout most of Canada and the day is marked in most cities with parades, outdoor events and activities like camping and elaborate firework displays.
VOCABULARY MATCH
WRITING PRACTICE
* Choose 3 words from above and write a sentence
d
e
f
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c
a
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