National Patriots' Day (Journe nationale des patriotes) is a statutory public holiday in Quebec, observed annually on the Monday preceding May 25. The day commemorates the Lower Canada Rebellion of 18371838, a pivotal event in the province's history. It specifically honors the memory of the Patriotes, who fought against British colonial rule for democratic reforms, responsible government, and the national recognition of the French-Canadian people. The core term, "National Patriots' Day," functions as a proper noun, referring to this specific commemorative holiday.
The historical context is rooted in the political conflict between the elected, French-speaking legislative assembly and the appointed, English-speaking executive and legislative councils controlled by the British Crown. The Parti patriote, led by Louis-Joseph Papineau, sought greater autonomy and democratic control over the colony's affairs, culminating in an armed uprising. The establishment of this holiday in 2003 by the Quebec government was a deliberate act to replace the pre-existing celebration of Victoria Day, thereby shifting the focus from celebrating a British monarch to commemorating a key episode of Quebec's struggle for self-determination.
The significance of observing this day lies in its powerful symbolism of Quebec's distinct historical narrative and national identity. By commemorating a rebellion against the very colonial power celebrated by the rest of Canada on the same weekend (Victoria Day), the holiday underscores a foundational theme of Quebec nationalism: the pursuit of political and cultural sovereignty. It serves as an annual public remembrance of the democratic ideals and principles for which the Patriotes fought, connecting a 19th-century struggle to contemporary Quebec society and its political consciousness.
