Today in history: On July 1, 1980 – "O Canada" officially becomes the national anthem of Canada.

 

Today in history On July 1, 1980 – "O Canada" officially becomes the national anthem of Canada.

In 1980, "O Canada" was officially adopted as the national anthem of Canada, marking the culmination of a long journey for the beloved song. Although it had been widely used as Canada’s unofficial anthem for decades, it was not legally recognized until July 1, 1980, Canada Day, when the National Anthem Act received royal assent. The song’s origins trace back to 1880 when Calixa Lavallée composed the music and Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier wrote the original French lyrics for Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations in Quebec. Over time, various English versions were penned, with the most popular lyrics finalized in 1908 by Robert Stanley Weir. Before this official recognition, Canadians often sang both "O Canada" and "God Save the Queen," with the latter remaining the royal anthem.

The decision to formally adopt "O Canada" as the national anthem reflected the country's growing sense of identity and unity, particularly amid its diverse linguistic and cultural landscape. Since its official designation, "O Canada" has continued to evolve, including minor lyrical changes to make it more gender-inclusive, such as the 2018 amendment from "in all thy sons command" to "in all of us command." Today, the anthem stands as a proud symbol of Canadian heritage, resilience, and shared values, sung at schools, sports events, and national ceremonies, strengthening the bond among Canadians across provinces and generations.

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