Logo of Canada's 1967 Centennial celebrations

The Canadian Centennial was a year long celebration held in 1967 when Canada celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. Celebrations occurred throughout the year but culminated on Dominion Day, July 1. 1967 coins were different from previous (or forthcoming) years' issues, with animals on each - the cent, for instance, had a dove on its reverse.

Communities and organizations across Canada were encouraged to engage in "Centennial projects" to celebrate the anniversary. The projects ranged from special one-time events to local improvement projects, such as the construction of municipal arenas and parks. A Centennial Train traversed the country and school children across the country were able to see exhibits raising their consciousness as to Canadian history and nationalism and enlivening their enthusiasm to visit Expo.

Children born in 1967 were declared "Centennial babies", one of which was future model and actress Pamela Anderson, born on July 1 (Canada Day).

In Toronto, the Caribana parade and festival was launched as a celebration of Caribbean culture and became an annual fixture of city life.

In November, the "Confederation of Tomorrow" conference was held at the newly built Toronto-Dominion Bank Tower. Called by Ontario Premier John Robarts, the summit of provincial premiers led to a new round of federal-provincial negotiations to amend the Canadian Constitution.

Queen Elizabeth II conducted a royal visit of Canada including a visit to Expo 67, which was a spring to fall event held in Montreal to celebrate the centennial.

The Expo 67 site on Île Notre-Dame with the Canada, Quebec and Ontario pavilions in view.

Expo 67, in particular, was a signifier of the nation's mood of extreme optimism and confidence on heading into its second century. In retrospect, the centennial is seen by many as a high point of Canadian aspirations prior to the anxious decade of the 1970s that saw the nation divided over issues relating to inflation, an economic recession, government budget deficits and Quebec separatism. Popular Canadian historian Pierre Berton has referred to the centennial as "the last good year" in his book of the same name.

[edit] See also

• Canada (song)
• 1967 in Canada
• The Canadian Centenary Series