The British queen was born on May 24, 1819. She was a reigning monarch (Queen) for 63 years, seven months and two days. Victoria Day was declared a Canadian holiday by the government in 1845. At that time, it was celebrated with picnics, parades, sporting tournaments, fireworks and cannon salutes.

When Queen Victoria died in 1901, Canada’s parliament officially named the holiday Victoria Day. It was decided that the day would be celebrated on the second last Monday in May. In 2021, that's May 24th.