Today, being July 1, is Canada Day.  I find it interesting — and a nice piece of symmetry on the calendar — that this year’s Canada Day falls on a Friday while America’s July 4 holiday falls on a Monday.  Because these holidays are marked by specific dates, in some years they fall in the middle of the week, which can make their celebration sometimes a little strange.  This year the holidays make for a splendid long weekend on both sides of our shared border — and I suppose for those few who are dual citizens, an even longer long weekend.  (For the diehard monarchists amongst us, there is even a possible future king and queen of the old British homeland in our midst on this side of the big pond this weekend!)

So, I thought a few quotes on Canada are in order for this day:

“Our hopes are high. Our faith in the people is great. Our courage is strong. And our dreams for this beautiful country will never die.” — Pierre Trudeau

“Canadians have an abiding interest in surprising those Americans who have historically made little effort to learn about their neighbour to the North.” — Peter Jennings

“In any world menu, Canada must be considered the vichyssoise of nations, it’s cold, half-French, and difficult to stir.” — Stuart Keate

“I had no idea Canada could be so much fun.” — Bruce Willis

The above quotes and a variety of others on Canada can be found at a wonderful compilation that is available at the following link:  http://www.indefual.net/canada/quotes.html

(Photo Credit:  Ikluft, Wikimedia Commons)