Celebrated world-wide for thousands of years across hundreds of cultures, May Day is one of the oldest holidays ever...

Each year, students from across Canada ages 5 to 18 are invited to take part in the Canada Day Poster Challenge by designing a poster that illustrates their pride in Canada and in being Canadian. This year's theme is A Portrait of Canada: Celebrating 140 Years.

The 13 provincial and territorial finalists won a trip to Ottawa to celebrate Canada Day on Parliament Hill. In addition, the winning entry becomes the official poster of Celebrate Canada! which includes:

* National Aboriginal Day, June 21
* Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, June 24
* Canadian Multiculturalism Day, June 27
* Canada Day, July 1

From June to September, the Canadian Children's Museum at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec, exhibits the artwork of all 13 provincial/territorial finalists.

This year, the overall winner was 15-year old Sharon Huang of British-Columbia

My poster shows the technological developments Canada has evolved through. I have also drawn the natural beauties and the multicultural society across our country. They all contribute to Canada's independence throughout history, and shape the nation that symbolizes freedom and unique diversity we know as Canada today.

View her winning entry:


It was incorporated into the official poster:


And the artwork of the 13 provincial and territorial finalists:

* Bridget Penny, 16 years old, Springfield, Manitoba (2nd place)
* Jenna Mortemore, 17 years old, Edmonton, Alberta (3rd place)
* Sonya Haas, 17 years old, Brent's Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador
* Daniel Yu, 17 years old, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
* Jessie Kang, 17 years old, Bedford, Nova Scotia
* Zacharie Robert, 8 years old, Moncton, New Brunswick
* Dominique Paquet, 14 years old, Pont-Rouge, Quebec
* Jane Wu, 16 years old, Toronto, Ontario
* Morgan McKellar, 15 years old, Outlook, Saskatchewan
* Camila Lopez, 10 years old, Whitehorse, Yukon
* Caleigh Matheson, 9 years old, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
* Trisha Campbell, 13 years old, Iqaluit, Nunavut

was placed upon the back of the poster:

Canada's official national anthem is "O Canada"

History:

"O Canada" was proclaimed Canada's national anthem on July 1, 1980, 100 years after it was first sung on June 24, 1880. The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, a well-known composer; French lyrics to accompany the music were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The song gained steadily in popularity. Many English versions have appeared over the years. The version on which the official English lyrics are based was written in 1908 by Mr. Justice Robert Stanley Weir. The official English version includes changes recommended in 1968 by a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons. The French lyrics remain unaltered (read a longer version).

Official Lyrics (English):

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Originally, "O Canada" was a patriotic poem by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier, a Quebec judge:

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love thou dost in us command.
We see thee rising fair, dear land,
The True North, strong and free;
And stand on guard, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.

Refrain
O Canada! O Canada!
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.

O Canada! Where pines and maples grow.
Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow.
How dear to us thy broad domain,
From East to Western Sea,
Thou land of hope for all who toil!
Thou True North, strong and free!

Refrain
O Canada! O Canada! etc.

O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies
May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise,
To keep thee steadfast through the years
From East to Western Sea,
Our own beloved native land!
Our True North, strong and free!

Refrain
O Canada! O Canada! etc.

Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our dominion within thy loving care;
Help us to find, O God, in thee
A lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the Better Day,
We ever stand on guard.

Refrain
O Canada! O Canada! etc (see alternate and previous versions)

Downloads: instrumental version (mp3 - 1,595 Kb), English version (mp3 - 2,174 Kb), French version (mp3 - 2,166 Kb), Bilingual version (mp3 - 2,182 Kb), sheet music.

Source: Heritage Canada.