Canada
- Language
- English
- Anthem
- O Canada
- Duration
- 1:13
- Status
- “O Canada” remains the national anthem of Canada, with its English lyrics last updated in 2018 to be gender-inclusive.
Canada National Anthem History
O Canada
“O Canada” began as a French patriotic song in 1880, with English lyrics evolving separately over decades before the song was formally adopted as Canada's national anthem in 1980.
Canada
O Canada
History timeline
-
1880
Adolphe-Basile Routhier wrote the original French lyrics, set to music by Calixa Lavallée, first performed on June 24 in Quebec City.
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Early 1900s
Robert Stanley Weir wrote the popular English lyrics, which differed significantly in meaning from the original French.
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1936
King Edward VIII saluted the English lyrics during his visit, signaling its growing unofficial recognition.
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1967
Parliament approved “O Canada” as the national anthem, moving towards official status.
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1980
The National Anthem Act officially made “O Canada” the national anthem of Canada on July 1.
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2018
The English lyrics were updated, changing 'in all thy sons command' to 'in all of us command' for gender neutrality.
The current official English lyrics of "O Canada" have a completely different meaning from the original French lyrics, despite being set to the same melody.