Canadian Honours, the Victoria Cross and National Public Holidays
Canada honours those who have served it — in battle, in public life, and in their communities — through a formal system of awards and recognition. This subchapter also covers the national public holidays that mark Canada’s civic and cultural calendar, many of which connect directly to people and events covered in earlier chapters of this guide.
The Order of Canada and Canada’s Honours System
All countries have ways to recognise outstanding citizens. Official awards are known as honours Official awards bestowed by a country to recognise exceptional service or achievement, consisting of orders, decorations, and medals. , and consist of orders, decorations, and medals.
For many years, Canada relied on British honours to recognise its citizens. In 1967 — the centennial of Confederation — Canada established its own national honours system with the creation of the Order of Canada. Any Canadian citizen may nominate a fellow citizen they believe worthy of this recognition.
The Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross The highest military honour available to Canadians, awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. (V.C.) is the highest honour available to Canadians and is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. The V.C. has been awarded to 96 Canadians since 1854.
Notable Canadian Victoria Cross Recipients
Canadian Victoria Cross Recipients
Then Lieutenant Alexander Roberts Dunn — Born in present-day Toronto, he served in the British Army in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava in the Crimean War (1854). He was the first Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross.
Able Seaman William Hall of Horton, Nova Scotia — His parents were American slaves. He was awarded the V.C. for his role in the Siege of Lucknow during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, making him the first Black man to receive the award.
Corporal Filip Konowal — Born in Ukraine, he showed exceptional courage at the Battle of Hill 70 in 1917 and became the first member of the Canadian Corps not born in the British Empire to be awarded the V.C.
Flying ace Captain Billy Bishop — Born in Owen Sound, Ontario, he earned the V.C. in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War and was later made an honorary Air Marshal of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Captain Paul Triquet of Cabano, Quebec — He earned the V.C. leading his men and a handful of tanks in the attack on Casa Berardi in Italy in 1943 during the Second World War. He later became a Brigadier.
Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray — A navy pilot born in Trail, B.C., he was killed while bombing and sinking a Japanese warship in August 1945, just days before the end of the Second World War. He was the last Canadian to receive the V.C. to date.
National Public Holidays and Important Dates
Canada’s national public holidays mark moments of civic, cultural, and historical significance. Several connect directly to people and events covered in this study guide — Vimy Day commemorates the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Victoria Day honours the Sovereign’s birthday, and Remembrance Day marks the sacrifice of those who served in Canada’s wars.
- January 1 — New Year’s Day
- January 11 — Sir John A. Macdonald Day
- Good Friday — Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday — Monday immediately following Easter Sunday
- April 9 — Vimy Day
- Victoria Day — Monday preceding May 25 (Sovereign’s birthday)
- June 24 — Fête nationale (Quebec) — Feast of St. John the Baptist
- July 1 — Canada Day
- Labour Day — First Monday of September
- Thanksgiving Day — Second Monday of October
- November 11 — Remembrance Day
- November 20 — Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day
- December 25 — Christmas Day
- December 26 — Boxing Day
Remembering Those Who Served
The awards and holidays in this subchapter are not just test material — they are expressions of Canadian values. The Victoria Cross recipients represent the extraordinary courage of ordinary Canadians. The Order of Canada reflects a commitment to recognising excellence in civilian life. And the public holidays — from Vimy Day to Remembrance Day — ensure that the sacrifices of the past are never forgotten by the generations that follow.
- Official awards in Canada’s honours system consist of orders, decorations, and medals.
- The Order of Canada was established in 1967, the centennial of Confederation, as Canada’s own national honours system.
- The Victoria Cross is the highest honour available to Canadians, awarded for conspicuous bravery or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.
- The V.C. has been awarded to 96 Canadians since 1854.
- Alexander Roberts Dunn (Toronto-born) was the first Canadian to receive the V.C., at Balaclava in 1854.
- William Hall (Nova Scotia) was the first Black man to receive the V.C., for the Siege of Lucknow in 1857.
- Filip Konowal (born in Ukraine) was the first Canadian Corps member not born in the British Empire to receive the V.C., at Hill 70 in 1917.
- Billy Bishop (Owen Sound, Ontario) earned the V.C. with the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War.
- Paul Triquet (Cabano, Quebec) earned the V.C. at Casa Berardi, Italy, in 1943 during the Second World War.
- Robert Hampton Gray (Trail, B.C.) was the last Canadian to receive the V.C. to date, killed in August 1945.
- Canada Day is July 1; Remembrance Day is November 11; Vimy Day is April 9; Victoria Day is the Monday preceding May 25.
- Sir John A. Macdonald Day is January 11; Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day is November 20.