I’ve been absent from this blog for a long while (again!), and thought it was high time to keep in touch. What better way than by sharing this uniquely Canadian holiday with my international friends?
It’s our first long weekend since Easter and Canada’s “unofficial start to summer”. So, what exactly is Victoria Day and why do we celebrate it? Here’s a brief history:
Most people celebrate with BBQs and beer, fireworks and cheer. As a dog mom, I could live without that noise, but we sure love hanging out on the back deck!
The holiday is colloquially known in parts of Canada as “May Two-Four”, a double entendre that refers both to the date around which the holiday falls (May 24) and the Canadian slang for a case of twenty-four beers (a “two-four”), a drink popular during the long weekend. – WIKIPEDIA
And what’s a holiday celebration without music? We recently lost iconic Canadian musician Gordon Lightfoot, who was revered across the world. R.I.P. 🍁 Here’s a selection of some of his greatest tunes, along with other Canadians of note:
So, what have you been up to? Looking forward to summer (or winter, if you’re down under)?
Before you go, visit my BOTB site to see what’s been happening. ▼
Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
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Hi Debbie, …as the sun is blasting my green garden into gasping, give me water plants, …I’m sitting in the shade, …and typing this, … Hoping your Victoria Day celebrations went well, …(I know, …I’m late but I’ve been travelling around your lovely blog etc….) …take care and be good, ..or at least be good at whatever you enjoy, …✨🦋✨💕✨
Hi Debbie – have a lovely weekend – I remember my one and only Victoria Day I enjoyed a few years ago … enjoy yours – and I loved Gordon Lightfoot’s music – lots of great Canadian musicians – cheers Hilary
So much here! I’ll have to look up the Guess Who Lightfoot song… love April Wine, and Down By The River used to be a great way to pass the time while… well, under the influence of something that don’t come in a can (which I gave up Looooong ago). If George III had thought like the Queen, America might yet be a dominion! Hope you have a great time!
I didn’t remember the Guess Who song about Lightfoot, but found it by chance. 🙂 Down By The River is a favourite Neil Young tune – the music itself being my drug of choice. Yeah, Americans are fond of beer, too. 😀 Hope you had a good Memorial Day weekend!
Nice to see you pop in with a lovely tribute to our Canadian holiday and legends of music Deb. It may not be warm, but at least it won’t be another rainy Two Four, lol. <3
I am glad you told me this. Despite having lived in the country next doors (USA) for almost 30 years I have never heard of Victoria Day, which based on video seem like a great holiday. Over the last month I’ve brewed three types of beer and the first one is just ready. I also have some other good beers. I know what I am doing tomorrow (Monday).
It’s funny how Canadians know so much about America, but the reverse doesn’t apply! 😆 Victoria Day weekend is a big deal in Canada, heralding the onset of warmer weather and yes, beer is generally featured. I hope you enjoyed yours! 🍻 Then, you had another opportunity this past weekend for Memorial Day celebrations. Cheers!
Yes thank you Debbie I enjoyed my beer. Americans don’t know anything about typical Swedish holidays such as Valborg (April 30), May 1st, Midsummer feast (June 21), St. Lucia day (December 13). On the other hand I found out about Memorial Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving only after I arrived in the US. I had never heard of the Super bowl and American football, which based on how it was played I thought should be called hand-egg, but I certainly knew that Canada was the best at Ice hockey. I also did not know about the Imperial system, inch, pounds, ounce, gallons, Fahrenheit, etc. I had never heard of it. This was kind of a shock since I was an engineering student and had to catch up very quickly. Canadians though, they know all about American holidays, quite a lot about the Imperial system, despite not using it, and even American politics based on what my Canadian friends are saying on Facebook. Canadians are experts on two countries instead of just their own. I have wondered about that.
I had never heard of the Super bowl and American football, which based on how it was played I thought should be called hand-egg” 🤣🤣🤣 I love that, Thomas! Yes, proper football is played with a round ball, and using hands is an automatic foul. I was born in Germany and my grandfather was a soccer team sponsor for Bochum of the Bundesliga, plus, my Italian husband played the game for over 40 years.
Canada’s hockey prowess is known worldwide, especially since they just won gold again at the World Hockey Championships. Sweden also has a wonderful hockey tradition, and some of my favourite team’s (The Toronto Maple Leafs) best players came from there. It was heartbreaking to lose the legendary Börje Salming last November! 😥
Canada only switched from Imperial to Metric in 1975, so many of us over 50 are familiar with both systems. We find it important to keep up with American politics due to our close proximity. Almost everything that happens in the U.S. has a residual effect, here. You might be interested in this article I wrote:
I am impressed that you knew about Börje Salming. I am wondering if you know about Peter Forsberg and Henrik and Daniel Sedin (Vancouver Canucks) and perhaps Markus Näslund. They are all from my hometown Örnsköldsvik in northern Sweden. Yes Canada is without question the Hockey King among countries of the world. Soccer (normal Football) and Hockey are the two most popular sports in Sweden.
Like most of us here, I’m a serious hockey fan, especially of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Börje was such an important player on that team for many years and beloved by all! 💖 I also know the other Swedish players you mentioned. Interesting that they are all from your hometown! The Sedin twins are especially well thought of in the Canadian hockey world.
26 thoughts on “HAPPY VICTORIA DAY, EH!”
Hi Debbie, …as the sun is blasting my green garden into gasping, give me water plants, …I’m sitting in the shade, …and typing this, … Hoping your Victoria Day celebrations went well, …(I know, …I’m late but I’ve been travelling around your lovely blog etc….) …take care and be good, ..or at least be good at whatever you enjoy, …✨🦋✨💕✨
Thanks for sharing. Victoria Day looks like such fun!
It’s a great Canadian tradition, Damyanti! 🍁😀 Thanks for coming by. I hope your stiff neck has eased up.
Happy Victoria Day, Debbie! 💖
Thanks, Eugi! 🙂 I hope you had a lovely Memorial Day weekend.
Hi Debbie – have a lovely weekend – I remember my one and only Victoria Day I enjoyed a few years ago … enjoy yours – and I loved Gordon Lightfoot’s music – lots of great Canadian musicians – cheers Hilary
Thanks, Hilary! 🙂 Yes, I remember, you were in B.C. for a while. Gordon Lightfoot’s music will live on. 💖
So much here! I’ll have to look up the Guess Who Lightfoot song… love April Wine, and Down By The River used to be a great way to pass the time while… well, under the influence of something that don’t come in a can (which I gave up Looooong ago). If George III had thought like the Queen, America might yet be a dominion! Hope you have a great time!
I didn’t remember the Guess Who song about Lightfoot, but found it by chance. 🙂 Down By The River is a favourite Neil Young tune – the music itself being my drug of choice. Yeah, Americans are fond of beer, too. 😀 Hope you had a good Memorial Day weekend!
Nice to see you pop in with a lovely tribute to our Canadian holiday and legends of music Deb. It may not be warm, but at least it won’t be another rainy Two Four, lol. <3
Thanks, Deb! 🙂 At least it wasn’t snowing, right? 😆
Happy Victoria Day and summer, Debbie.
Have a fabulous day and week. Hugs. ♥
Thank you, Sandee! 🙂 I hope you have a lovely summer too. 🛥️
Enjoy the holiday! I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like Gordon Lightfoot. Thanks for the tune 😉
Thanks, diedre! 🙂 Gordon Lightfoot’s music will live on. 💖
We have to wait another week for our “unofficial start of summer.” Have a good holiday!
Thanks, John! 🙂 I hope your “unofficial start to summer” was enjoyable as well.
I had never heard of this tradition, and I hope you have a wonderful celebration, Debbie.
Best wishes, Pete.
It is a uniquely Canadian tradition, Pete. 🙂 And the onset of warmer weather makes it doubly pleasant. Thanks for coming by!
I am glad you told me this. Despite having lived in the country next doors (USA) for almost 30 years I have never heard of Victoria Day, which based on video seem like a great holiday. Over the last month I’ve brewed three types of beer and the first one is just ready. I also have some other good beers. I know what I am doing tomorrow (Monday).
It’s funny how Canadians know so much about America, but the reverse doesn’t apply! 😆 Victoria Day weekend is a big deal in Canada, heralding the onset of warmer weather and yes, beer is generally featured. I hope you enjoyed yours! 🍻 Then, you had another opportunity this past weekend for Memorial Day celebrations. Cheers!
Yes thank you Debbie I enjoyed my beer. Americans don’t know anything about typical Swedish holidays such as Valborg (April 30), May 1st, Midsummer feast (June 21), St. Lucia day (December 13). On the other hand I found out about Memorial Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving only after I arrived in the US. I had never heard of the Super bowl and American football, which based on how it was played I thought should be called hand-egg, but I certainly knew that Canada was the best at Ice hockey. I also did not know about the Imperial system, inch, pounds, ounce, gallons, Fahrenheit, etc. I had never heard of it. This was kind of a shock since I was an engineering student and had to catch up very quickly. Canadians though, they know all about American holidays, quite a lot about the Imperial system, despite not using it, and even American politics based on what my Canadian friends are saying on Facebook. Canadians are experts on two countries instead of just their own. I have wondered about that.
I had never heard of the Super bowl and American football, which based on how it was played I thought should be called hand-egg” 🤣🤣🤣 I love that, Thomas! Yes, proper football is played with a round ball, and using hands is an automatic foul. I was born in Germany and my grandfather was a soccer team sponsor for Bochum of the Bundesliga, plus, my Italian husband played the game for over 40 years.
Canada’s hockey prowess is known worldwide, especially since they just won gold again at the World Hockey Championships. Sweden also has a wonderful hockey tradition, and some of my favourite team’s (The Toronto Maple Leafs) best players came from there. It was heartbreaking to lose the legendary Börje Salming last November! 😥
Canada only switched from Imperial to Metric in 1975, so many of us over 50 are familiar with both systems. We find it important to keep up with American politics due to our close proximity. Almost everything that happens in the U.S. has a residual effect, here. You might be interested in this article I wrote:
http://thedogladysden.com/canada-usa-differences/
Thanks for this lively conversation! It’s rare that blog comments extend beyond a few sentences. Much appreciated, Thomas!
I am impressed that you knew about Börje Salming. I am wondering if you know about Peter Forsberg and Henrik and Daniel Sedin (Vancouver Canucks) and perhaps Markus Näslund. They are all from my hometown Örnsköldsvik in northern Sweden. Yes Canada is without question the Hockey King among countries of the world. Soccer (normal Football) and Hockey are the two most popular sports in Sweden.
Like most of us here, I’m a serious hockey fan, especially of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Börje was such an important player on that team for many years and beloved by all! 💖 I also know the other Swedish players you mentioned. Interesting that they are all from your hometown! The Sedin twins are especially well thought of in the Canadian hockey world.
That is amazing. I was just checking. My brother is a real hockey fan. I like hockey too but he is crazy about. He knows a lot, like you.