British Columbia joined Confederation as a province of Canada on July 20, 1871. Before that, it was a colony of the British Empire. The decision to join Confederation was made by the colonial government of British Columbia, and it was approved by the British government. At the time, British Columbia was experiencing a severe economic downturn and was seeking the support of the more populous and prosperous provinces of Canada. Joining Confederation allowed British Columbia to access the resources and markets of the rest of the country.

British Columbia Confederation refers to the process by which the colony of British Columbia joined the Dominion of Canada as a province on July 20, 1871. This event marked the culmination of a long and complex process of negotiations and political maneuvering between the colonial government of British Columbia, the government of Canada, and the British government.

Prior to Confederation, British Columbia was a British colony with a largely independent government. However, it faced several challenges, including economic difficulties and a lack of military protection in the face of potential threats from the United States. As a result, the colonial government began to consider joining Confederation as a way to address these issues.

Negotiations between the colonial government and the government of Canada began in the late 1860s and were finalized in 1871. The terms of Confederation were agreed upon in the British Columbia Terms of Union, which were signed by the colonial government and the government of Canada on July 20, 1871.

On July 20, 1871, British Columbia officially joined the Dominion of Canada as its sixth province. The event was marked by celebrations and ceremonies in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, and across the province.

The day began with a 100-gun salute and a parade through the streets of Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia.

A formal ceremony was held in the Legislative Council Chamber, where British Columbia's governor, Sir Joseph William Trutch, signed the proclamation that officially made British Columbia a province of Canada.

A reception was held in the evening at the government house, where the governor hosted a dinner for invited guests, including representatives from the Canadian government, the British Royal Navy, and the local business community.

A regatta was held in Victoria harbor, which included races and other festivities to celebrate the occasion.

In Vancouver, there were similar celebrations, including a parade and a reception at the city hall.

Across the province, many communities held their own festivities and events to mark the occasion, including dances, picnics, and other social gatherings.

Overall, the ceremonies and activities that took place when British Columbia joined Canada were intended to celebrate the province's entry into the larger Canadian federation and to signal a new era of cooperation and unity between British Columbia and the rest of the country.