Continuing my contributions to my workplace newsletter I did a little research on Victoria Day.
Victoria Day is a Canadian statutory holiday (although technically not a stat holiday for Nova Scotian’s but we are lucky enough to work for an employer who recognizes it) celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25th in every province and territory. It honors Queen Victoria's birthday which was May 24th 1819.
Below are some fun facts on Victoria Day
- In Quebec it’s called "National Patriotes Day" (In French- Journée nationale des patriotes or Fête des Patriotes).
- Victoria Day is also known as "May 2-4 weekend" or the "May long weekend" and it marks the unofficial start of the summer festivities.
- Victoria Day is Canada's oldest non-religious holiday.
- Today, Canada is the only country who still has a holiday on the day… Though ironically she never actually visited Canada during her reign.
- Queen Victoria was the ruler of the UK & British Empire from June 20th 1837 until her death in 1901.
- Victoria reigned for 63 years and seven months, a record for a British monarch that was only beaten in September 2015 by one of my favorite humans Queen Elizabeth II.
For my group of friends this definitely marks the start of summer festivities and it is spent camping (there may be beer involved)…(yes it’s freezing).
For my parents, it’s the weekend they de-winterize the pool so again an unofficial start to summer.
Unlike the other holidays in Canada which have very focused in tradition in ceremony Victoria Day leaves a little more to the imagination of an individual.
Leave your favorite May long weekend traditions in the comments below!
Sources:
https://www.statutoryholidays.com/victoriaday.php
https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/canada/victoria-day
Photo of Queen Victoria from Wikepedia