Discovery Day

Discovery Day is held in Canada in the Yukon Territory. On this day, many institutions are closed, giving employees a break. The third Monday of August is a great date to learn something new.

History

The origin of the holiday goes back to 1896. George Washington Carmack accidentally discovered gold in Bonanza Creek while fishing there. The event led to the beginning of the gold rush – miners and merchants came to the area in the hope of striking it rich. In 1899, interest in the Yukon subsided, as gold was also found in other areas.

In 1911, the holiday was at the state level as a special event that led to the formation of Yukon as an independent territory. The mining industry remains strong here to this day.

Interesting Facts

Interestingly, during the gold rush, more than one billion dollars’ worth of gold was found. Gold resources have not dried up here; large corporations are still engaged in their extraction.

Carmack was not a gold digger but went to Alaska in 1881 to try his luck in the search. His journey was not successful, so he soon returned.

How to Take Part

• Visit various festivals, which include dances, competitions, sports tournaments, etc.;
• Have a fun party with friends;
• Watch movies about the gold rush.

Usually, the main events take place in the Yukon capital Whitehorse and Watson Lake.

Important: if you are going to the festival, you must leave earlier because the traffic on this day is intense.

When is Discovery Day in 2024?

Discovery Day is observed on the third Monday of August each year.

Observations