A Canadian Family

Happy St-Jean Baptiste to all of us here in Quebec!

June 24th was originally just the religious Feast Day of St John the Baptist (St-Jean Baptiste), Quebec’s patron saint but now it is also Quebec’s national holiday (fete nationale). It’s one of the most important days in modern-day Quebec – somewhat like July 1st for Canadians and July 4th for Americans.

The holiday is somewhat controversial – especially in other parts of Canada – because it has become associated with Quebec nationalism and the struggle for the preservation of the French language, but it is ultimately every Quebecker’s holiday – whatever their language or ethnic origin.

Montreal always celebrates la St-Jean Baptiste with a big parade and a big show. This is a video of one such show back in the mid-1970s.

June 23, 2009 - Posted by Evelyn Yvonne Theriault | . | Quebec, Quebec nationalism, St-Jean-Baptiste