Heritage Day in Alberta
In Alberta, Canada, the first Monday of August is observed as Heritage Day. This is a day that celebrates the different cultures of the citizens of this province. It was first declared during the mid-1970s and has been celebrated ever since. However, this day isn’t a public holiday but is instead an optional holiday.
That means that most businesses and government offices are open, but people can choose to take this holiday as one of the holidays they take during the year. It also means that businesses can choose whether they want to recognize this holiday or not.
The History Of Heritage Day In Alberta
This holiday was created in 1974 by the Alberta Government. The purpose of this holiday was to give citizens an opportunity to take a holiday to celebrate their heritage, no matter what that heritage might be. Originally, this holiday was a statutory holiday, as outlined in the 1974 Heritage Act. However, its holiday status was downgraded to an optional civic holiday with the introduction of Family Day in 1990.
Observing Heritage Day In Alberta
On this day, post offices and provincial government offices are closed in Alberta, but many other businesses remain open. Other public businesses, however, remain open and this includes museums, delivery services, and other businesses. Transit services may also operate on a holiday schedule on this day.
Of course, there are also a number of Heritage Day festivals and events that occur across Alberta. It’s also a day when many Canadians in the province enjoy fishing, hiking, or camping trips. It’s also a good day for people to visit museums, which are also open on this day. This is a holiday on which Canadians in this province can take pride in their communities and their unique heritage. It’s also a good time for them to spend with friends and family members.