Why do Canadians celebrate our July 4th, Independence Day on July 1st ?

That's perhaps one of the most commonly posed questions by Americans to information counselors when we Canadians celebrate our Canada Day on July 1st. This statutory federal holiday recognizes the anniversary of the uniting of three colonies into a single country called Canada on July 1, 1867.

It appears U.S. citizens are not as aware about the history of our country as we are about theirs.

Here are a few more facts about Canada.

• Canada has a population of 34.5 million.
• The Maple Leaf and Beaver are Canada's National Symbols.
• Canada has the longest coastline of any country in the world at 151,600 miles.
• Half of Canada is covered in forests and 10% of the world's forests are located here.
• Canadians consume more Kraft Dinner per capita than any other nationality on earth. After all, J.L. Kraft was born in Niagara along with 13 other siblings in the small Niagara community of Stevensville.

To celebrate both Canada Day and Independence Day a huge fireworks display takes place over the falls at 10 pm on both these dates.

The attached photo of a Canadian Flag at the brink of the Canadian Horseshoe Fall was taken from inside Table Rock House.