Today is Victoria Day, a statutory holiday in Canada, in honour of the Queen who signed off on that whole Confederation thing back in 1867. I start with photos originally taken for my photoblog back in 2019, taken on Victoria Day that year, when the traditional salute by artillery is done on Parliament Hill at noon. I shall see if it's still the same here today, as the work on the Hill itself means that this spot is not accessible. Perhaps out on the lawn?
At the stroke of noon, the cannons start, with soldiers manning the big guns. It's a lot of noise.
That same year, but some months earlier, I was inside for a tour of Centre Block. The Library of Parliament is behind that building, and inside is a statue of Queen Victoria as a younger woman. It is the most beautiful room in Ottawa- and presently inaccessible due to the ongoing rehabilitation work on the building.
I would not be me if I weren't taking the time to make some merriment of the occasion. Even if Her Majesty (Vicki to those who know her) would not approve. Happy Victoria Day! To my Yankee readers... well, you're working today.
All that noise and smoke while the rest of us are told to cut back on pollution. I love the kitten in the miniature deck chair.
ReplyDeleteIt's a cutie.
DeleteIt's not all that easy to get a good photograph of a cannon in mid-firing. The Queen would approve.
ReplyDeleteI got real lucky with a couple of them.
DeleteIt's okay that we can't share the holiday. We'll just take July 4th off.
ReplyDeleteOf course we get Canada Day off.
DeleteIn Chicago, we used to get Casimir Pulaski Day off. I had to research Pulaski so I could teach the kids why they were getting the day off.
ReplyDeleteI think Victoria Day sounds wonderful.
As traditions go, I like it.
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