Probably the best thing ever, another day off work or school! Do you actually know what Victoria Day is all about? In brief, it is Queen Victoria’s birthday.

Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819. Although her birthday was celebrated either on May 24 (or May 25 if May 24 fell on a Sunday) since 1845, it only became a national holiday when the Queen died in 1901.

It is interesting to note that the birthday of King Edward VII, who born on November 9th, was also celebrated on Victoria Day.

During the 1900s, Canadians celebrated this day as Empires Day, later known as Commonwealth Day. From 1957, Victoria Day is the sovereign’s official birthday, celebrated on the Monday before May 25. Therefore, Victoria lands on May 19 in 2003.

In United Kingdom, Queen’s birthday is celebrated in June.

Since it is usually warm by this time of the year, Canadians enjoy a long weekend at cottages or a picnic with the family. It is also one of the most popular days to let off fireworks, saves Canada Day. Besides, Victoria Day also marks the beginning of the summer season when gardens are planted, and summer resorts and parks are opened. In Newfoundland, it has traditionally been the occasion of first big outdoor camping and trout-fishing trip of the year. It would be a great fishing day too!