Canada : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

cards/flowers :

Culture :

Secular holiday : Anniversary of the union of the Canadian provinces under one government, which took place in 1867 under the British North America Act Not a paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday

Secular holiday : Anniversary of the union of the Canadian provinces under one government, which took place in 1867 under the British North America Act Not a paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday

Secular holiday : Civic/state holiday - Civic holiday in Ontario, Saskatchewan and the North West Territories. - Natal Day in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. - New Brunswick Day in New Brunswick. British Colombia Day in British Colombia. - Heritage Day in Alberta. NOT a holiday in Quebec, Yukon.

cards/flowers :

Culture :

Secular holiday :

cards/flowers : To honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.

cards/flowers : Jewish New Year

cards/flowers :

Banks only :

Secular holiday : The first formal celebration was held by an English explorer, Martin Frobisher, who attempted to establish a settlement on Baffin Island, after failing to discover a northern passage to the Orient in 1576. The Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock held their Thanksgiving in 1621 as a three-day thank you celebration to the leaders of the Wampanoag Indian tribe and their families for teaching them the survival skills they needed to make it in the New World. Canada established the second Monday in October as a national holiday, a day of general thanksgiving, in 1957.

cards/flowers : Halloween originated from a Celtic festival called Samhain, which was celebrated 2,000 years ago and revolved around lighting bonfires and wearing costumes to ward off spirits and fairies— yes, Halloween began because people truly believed that it was a time when dead spirits would rise again, and walk among them. Back then, costumes acted as protection, not just an excuse to show off your Pinterest skills. Not much is known about the ancient holiday since there are no written records, though per Encyclopedia Britannica, it was a time fraught with danger, charged with fear, and full of supernatural episodes.

Special Events : At 2:00 local time

Secular holiday : In tribute to the Canadian soldiers who died in various wars (61,082 in WW1, 42,042 in WW2, 516 in the Korean war, 119 in peace-keeping missions) only in Alberta, British Columbia, Labrador, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territories,

cards/flowers : The Light festival starts with festivities. The week celebrates 1.Dhanteras, 2.Kali Chaudas, 3.Deepavali, 4.Navu-Varsha (new year), 5.Bhai-beej. The Vai cast is mainly concerned. May last several days.

Banks only :

Special Events : Day of sales and bargains

cards/flowers : Commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt (2nd century BC)

Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day.

Banks only :

Secular holiday : The day after Christmas, the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is better known as Boxing Day. The term may come from the opening of church poor boxes that day; maybe from the earthenware boxes with which boy apprentices collected money at the doors of their masters' clients. Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Yukon