On this day in 1867, the British North America Act brought into being the Dominion of Canada, which originally consisted of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Manitoba and the Northwest Territories followed in 1870, with British Columbia in 1871, Prince Edward Island in 1873, and the Yukon Territory in 1898. During the 20th Century, Saskatchewan and Alberta joined in 1905, Newfoundland in 1949, and the Nunavut Territory was admitted (from part of the Northwest Territories) in 1999. All told: ten provinces and three territories.
I tell many of my friends here that Canada is the closest thing we Americans have to a parallel universe. So much of Canada is like the United States, it’s amazing. Then again, there are critical differences too: “Peace, Order, and Good Government” being the driving force behind Confederation (which, BTW, is not to be confused with the Confederacy during our Civil War). Canada’s been there with us during two World Wars, and the Canadians helped smuggle some of our diplomats out of Iran when the Hostage Crisis ensued.
As an American, I am thankful we have Canada as our neighbors to the north. Long Live Canada!