"O Canada" (French: Ô Canada) is the national anthem of Canada. The song was originally commissioned by Lieutenant Governor of Quebec Théodore Robitaille for the 1880 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day ceremony; Calixa Lavallée composed the music, after which, words were written by the poet and judge Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The original lyrics were in French; an English translation was published in 1906. Multiple English versions ensued, with Robert Stanley Weir's version in 1908 gaining the most popularity, eventually serving as the basis for the official lyrics enacted by Parliament. Weir's lyrics have been revised three times, most recently when An Act to amend the National Anthem Act (gender) was enacted in 2018. The French lyrics remain unaltered. "O Canada" had served as a de facto national anthem since 1939, officially becoming the country's national anthem in 1980 when Canada's National Anthem Act received royal assent and became effective on July 1 as part of that year's Dominion Day (today's Canada Day) celebrations.
1980Jul, 1
"O Canada" officially becomes the national anthem of Canada.
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Events on 1980
- 26Jan
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Israel and Egypt establish diplomatic relations. - 2Feb
United States Congress
Reports surface that the FBI is targeting allegedly corrupt Congressmen in the Abscam operation. - 10Jun
Nelson Mandela
The African National Congress in South Africa publishes a call to fight from their imprisoned leader Nelson Mandela. - 29Jul
Islamic Revolution
Iran adopts a new "holy" flag after the Islamic Revolution. - 9Oct
14th Dalai Lama
Pope John Paul II shakes hands with the Dalai Lama during a private audience in Vatican City.