OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General Michaelle Jean began Canada Day celebrations Saturday by taking part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial.

The event marked the 90th anniversary of the Battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel.

It was "very, very moving,'' Harper later said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

Between 4,000 and 5,000 people gathered to watch the ceremony under bright, sunny skies and a cool breeze. They offered applause as groups of veterans marched past.

Harper later spoke about the sacrifices being made by Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan, saying he wanted to pay tribute to them.

"We want a special remembrance for them today because, obviously, they're probably doing more to make Canada proud these days than any group of Canadians.''

Two Canadian soldiers in Kandahar were injured along with five Americans and three civilian contractors after insurgents fired rockets into their compound overnight.

One of the Canadians is in critical condition.

Canadian military officials said they wouldn't let the two rocket attacks dampen Canada Day celebrations at the Kandahar airbase in southern Afghanistan.

Back in Ottawa, Harper also talked about what Canada Day means to him and his family, particularly now that he is prime minister.

"Like most people we probably try and spend some family time, and we will get some later today,'' he said. "But obviously this is a special day for us as the first Canada Day as prime minister, so I'm going to enjoy it.''

This was the first time a remembrance ceremony was conducted at the National War Memorial on July 1.

The First World War Battle of Beaumont-Hamel was at the beginning of the Battle of the Somme, on July 1, 1916. About 780 men from the First Newfoundland Regiment were part of a British contingent that took part in the advance.

Only about 110 Newfoundlanders survived unscathed and many lost their lives in the opening minutes of the bloody battle.

In St. John's, N.L., dozens of wreaths were laid Saturday at a ceremony at the city's war memorial.

The Singing Legionnaires, a troupe of Newfoundland veterans, gave their traditional performance of hymns as about two dozen uniformed veterans watched.

"It's important for me to come here every year to show my respect,'' Reg Penney, 82, a veteran originally from Hant's Harbour, told the St. John's Telegram.

Baptiste Carre, a 16-year-old who lives just seven kilometres from Beaumont-Hamel in France, travelled to St. John's for the memorial ceremonies.

Carre, who won an essay contest at his school to join a French delegation in St. John's, laid a wreath on behalf of France's youth.

"I came here to attach a proof to the history of the young people who went to war, and to thank those who fought in the war and died,'' Carre told St. John's Telegram in French.

Meanwhile, the Governor General joined the prime minister at Parliament Hill to greet the crowds celebrating Canada's 139th birthday.