The story of Victoria Day dates back to about the early-1840s. After Upper and Lower Canada were united into the Province of Canada, the government wanted to create a holiday that could be celebrated by both English and French Canadians.
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This makes it Canada's oldest official holiday.
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By the 1890s, it was seen as a patriotic holiday.
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After her death in 1901, the holiday was made a statutory holiday in perpetuity.
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From 1910 to 1952, the day only honoured Queen Victoria's role as the "Mother of Confederation". The reigning monarch's birthday was celebrated in June.
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It was changed from the fixed day to the last Monday before May 25. This ensured that Canadians would always receive a long weekend to start the summer.
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