The fostering of patriotism and loyalty to the British Empire was thought to be integral to the civilizing nature of education. It therefore needed to be cultivated in the minds of Ontario's youth to ensure that they became good citizens.

In 1899, Empire Day was officially incorporated into the Education Department's calendar. Held on the school day following Queen Victoria's birthday, Empire Day was devoted entirely to celebrating the British Empire and the "cultivating of feelings of loyalty and attachment to our country and to the institutions in which we live".
(Report of the Minister, 1898, p. xxvii)

All schools at every level were required to participate. Special lessons on the British Empire were held in the morning with activities for friends and family of the students in the afternoon.

The activities could include theatrical productions such as the tableau below, the singing of patriotic songs, recitations of poetry and essays, and addresses from school board trustees and clergy.

"Our Empire" tableau at Alexandria High School, December 1900
Duncan Donovan fonds
Glass plate negative
Reference Code: C 128-5-1-40-1
Archives of Ontario, I0002438

The Education Department also issued teaching aids and advice in colourfully published in Empire Day pamphlets, many of which are in the Archives' library collections.

Click to see a larger image (104K)
Ont. Department of Education. Empire day in the Schools of Ontario, May 23, 1952.
Reference Code: Govt Doc Ed/Em 1952
Library Collections, Archives of Ontario

When the Canadian flag was adopted as our national flag on February 15, 1965, it marked the slow but steady evolution of a new Canadian identity. By the 1970s, the strong patriotism for the British Empire that was demonstrated through Empire Day celebrations had fallen by the wayside. Though patriotism isn't as prominent as it once was in the classrooms across Ontario, the presence of the Canadian flag and the singing of the national anthem, "O Canada", for the daily opening or closing exercises remain a part of the school experience.

Click to see a larger image (154K)
School children display the Canadian flag, April 1967
Mildred Young Hubbert fonds
Transparency
Reference Code: F 4369-1-8-0-38
Archives of Ontario, I0012276

Military Training and the Ontario Farm Service Force

Encouraging the formation of strong character was seen as one of the defining characteristics of a patriotic spirit. Military training required discipline, obedience and good form, and was therefore thought to be the best means of developing "manliness" and strong character.

The Ontario Farm Service Force was a manifestation of patriotic zeal, particularly during World War II. Farm Service Camps employed students, male and female, to assist with the war effort by providing farm labour. By assisting with the shortages in agricultural labour, students were not only serving their local communities, but they were also supporting the Canadian and British troops with much-needed crop production.

Laying the Groundwork | A Centre for Learning | Public School Boards | Schoolhouses
Raising the Standards | Curriculum | Fostering Patriotism and Good Citizenship
Education for Life | From Blackboard to Web | Sources and Resources | Ministries and Ministers

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