June 24th: « Fête Nationale des Québécois » and « Saint-Jean-Baptiste »

June 24th is an important date for Francophones in Canada. « Saint-Jean- Baptiste » aka « La Fête Nationale des Québécois » celebrates French language, culture(s), and the contributions of the Quebec Nation and of Francophones across the country as an official language community.

In 1977, under the Lévesque government, June 24th became a statutory holiday in Quebec. « La Saint-Jean-Baptiste » was then renamed « La Fête Nationale des Québécois ». Although the day continues to be recognized as a celebration of French Canadian culture, it has taken an inclusive turn, becoming a celebration of Québécois and all Francophones.

Whether you are celebrating « Saint-Jean-Baptiste » or « La Fête Nationale des Québécois » this important date is an affirmation of French culture as an integral part of our Canadian identity.

Francophones constitute a large diverse community united around the expression of the French language, one of the two official languages of Canada. This linguistic identity, while rooted in 400+ years of French Canadian and Quebec culture, also aims to be inclusive of immigrants who adopt French as their official language in Canada.

No matter where you are in this great country on June 24th, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation wishes a wonderful « Fête Nationale des Québécois » and « Saint-Jean-Baptiste » to Francophones outside Quebec.

Do you know the origin of Ô Canada?

In 1880, the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste founded by Duvernay organized the first "Congrès national des Canadiens français" to coincide with the festivities. That event marked the first performance of a new song composed by Calixa Lavallée and Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The composition was "O Canada," which was to become our national anthem in 1980, almost exactly a century later.

Source: Language Portal of CanadaLanguage Portal of Canada