Holidays and Observances in Canada Quiz

Answer: Islander Day

This statutory holiday was created in 2009 as a day for most Islanders to take off work or school. The day is designed to allow everyone to celebrate family and community in PEI. It is similar to holidays in many other provinces at this time of the year, most of which go by the name "Family Day".

Answer: Day After New Year's Day

The "Day After New Year's Day" is an official bank and provincial government holiday in the province of Quebec. This is a day when people take one additional day of relaxation after the busy holidays that are typically celebrated during the week before in many families. Many who don't work for banks or the government do have to work on this day, though.

Answer: True

Newfoundland and Labrador citizens celebrate St. Patrick's day with a day off if they work for the provincial government. However, post offices, banks and many schools remain open. In Canada, the post offices and banks are typically governed by federal (national) holiday calendars when provinces have their own days off for holidays like this.

Answer: Vimy Ridge Day

Vimy Ridge Day is annually observed on April 9 to commemorate the Canadian victory at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in northern France during the First World War, and to remember those who died. It is not considered an official holiday (government offices and banks are open). However, many museums and schools will have special programs to honour Canada's contributions during that battle.

Answer: False

Neither All Saints' Day nor All Souls' Day are public holidays in Canada. However, they are observances made in many Christian religions in the country. All Saints' Day is a celebration of all Christian saints who do not have a special day of their own.

It is observed on November 1st. All Souls' Day is observed by most Christians on November 2nd. It is a day of prayer for the dead, especially for those in purgatory.

Answer: Armistice in World War One

World War One ended at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. Remembrance Day was created to honour the sacrifices of those who died during that War, and was later extended to remember people in all armed conflicts. Red poppies are typically worn by citizens in recognition of the day.

The tradition of wearing poppies goes back to the landscapes of WWI where they grew in many areas on the Western Front.

Answer: Canada Day

Canada Day is celebrated on July 1st each year to commemorate the confederation of the country on July 1, 1867. It is a time of fireworks, barbeques, and other celebrations that kick off the summer. Many border cities have co-celebrations with the United States, since the US national holiday is on July 4th.

Answer: October

Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October. This is a time when families and friends usually gather over large meals to be thankful for the people and things that they have in their lives. Traditionally, turkey is served, along with sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, fall vegetables such as corn and squash, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.

Answer: Yes

Labour Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September. It originally gave workers the chance to gather to campaign for better wages and working conditions. It is now a long weekend that often signals the end of summer for many.

Answer: In feudal times the lord of the manor would pay his servants with a box of goods.

There are a few theories about the history of the term "Boxing Day". Most stem from Great Britain, including this one about feudal lords paying their servants on the day after Christmas with tools, food and money that was placed in boxes. Another theory is that this was a day for servants to place leftovers from the Christmas dinner in boxes to take them home to their own families.

Others theorize that this was the day for distributing alms from church collection boxes to the poor.