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It was first performed on June 24, 1880 at a Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day banquet in Quebec City, but did not become Canada's official national anthem until July 1, 1980. The official English version is based on a poem written by Robert Stanley Weir in 1908; it is not a translation of the French. Changes to the English version were recommended in 1968 by a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons. The National Anthem Act of 1980 added a religious reference to the English lyrics.
From 1867 to 1980, "O Canada", " God Save the Queen" and " The Maple Leaf ForeverThe Maple Leaf Forever was written in 1867 by Alexander Muir ( 1830- 1906), the same year as Canada's Confederation. Muir was said to have been inspired to write this song by a huge maple tree which stood on his property: Maple Cottage, a house at Memory" competed as unofficial national anthems, but by the 1960s "O Canada" had emerged as the clear favourite. When it was made the official anthem, most Canadians were surprised to learn that it did not already have such status. "God Save the Queen" is now Canada's royal anthemA royal anthem is a patriotic song, much like a national anthem that recognizes the nation's monarch. It is usually performed during events of royal importance, such as a public appearance by the monarch. Examples " God Save the Queen" is the royal anthem, while "The Maple Leaf Forever" is virtually forgotten.
N.B.: the line is true patriot love in all thy sons command, with no apostrophe; otherwise put, "command (inspire) true patriot love in all thy sons." Also, the first word is "O" (used as a vocative, to apostrophizeAn apostrophe is a rhetorical device consisting of speech directed in an abstract direction (as "O Death, where is thy sting?"), to a person not present, or to a thing (as "Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness" in "Ode on a Grecian Urn"). It is usuall Canada), not the exclamation "oh."
The line "The True North strong and free" is based on Alfred Lord Tennyson's description of Canada as "That True North whereof we lately heard." [1] In the context of Tennyson's poem, true means loyal or faithful.
Two provinces have adopted Latin translations of phrases from the English lyrics as their mottos: ManitobaThe first part of the coat of arms of the province of Manitoba, Canada, officially The Arms of Her Majesty in Right of the Province of Manitoba was the shield, which was assigned by royal warrant of King Edward VII on May 10, 1905. On the white chief is t--Gloriosus et liber (glorious and free)--and AlbertaAlberta Coat of Arms The Coat of Arms of Alberta, a Province of Canada was granted by Royal Warrant on May 30, 1907 by King Edward VII of the United Kingdom. On July 30, 1980, the Armorial Bearings (the Crest, Supporters and Motto (see heraldry for more d--Fortis et liber (strong and free). Similarly, the motto of Canadian Forces Land Force CommandCanadian Forces Land Force Command LF is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Armed Forces. LF maintains bases across Canada and is responsible for the largest component of the Canadian Forces Reserves the "militia". LF is the descendant of is Vigilamus pro te (we stand on guard for thee).