Louis Riel Day
Louis Riel Day is observed as a public holiday in Manitoba where it’s observed on the third Monday in February. This provincial statutory holiday was given its name to honor Louis Riel, a Canadian politician and the founder of the province of Manitoba. Because this is a provincial holiday and not a federal one, some federal employees may not have the day off.
Canada (Common local holidays) - ManitobaWith that being said, it is a day off for most people and is also a day when some businesses may decide to close. This holiday is the equivalent of Family Day — a holiday that’s observed in some provinces in Canada.
The History Of Louis Riel Day In Manitoba
This holiday was first observed in February of 2008 after Manitoba’s Legislative Assembly passed the act that enabled it the following year. The name of this provincial holiday was suggested by students of Manitoba schools, who felt that the day should honor a man who is considered to be the Father of Manitoba. The holiday was given the name despite the fact that Louis Riel is one of Canada’s most controversial figures in Canadian history.
Fun Facts About Manitoba
We wanted to leave our readers with some facts that they (probably) didn’t know about Manitoba, so we did a little bit of research and came up with the following list of facts. We hope that they are not only a source of entertainment but are also very informative as well.
- Winnipeg is not only the capital of Manitoba but it’s also the geographic center of Canada.
- Winnipeg is also one of the coldest cities in the world.
- Manitoba is home to over 100,000 lakes.
- Manitoba is home to Folklorama, the Manito Ahbee Festival, and the Winnipeg Folk Festival.
- Winnie the Pooh was named after Winnipeg. The commemorative statue is at Assiniboine Park.
- The word Manitoba comes from a native Cree word that means “the narrows of the Great Spirit.”
- The Plains Bison is the official mammal of Manitoba and the Great Grey Owl is the official bird of the province.
- The White Spruce is the official tree of Manitoba.
Observing Louis Riel Day In Manitoba
This holiday is observed in much of the same way as Family Day is observed in other provinces. People spend time with their families, go out and enjoy nature, and/or simply enjoy their three-day weekend. People also spread the news about this day online using the hashtag #LouisRieldDay. Because this is a provincial holiday, some businesses and offices may be closed, but some may remain open for the day.
Canada (Common local holidays) - Manitoba
