National Patriots' Day, or Journe nationale des patriotes, is a statutory holiday observed in the Canadian province of Quebec. It is held annually on the Monday preceding May 25th. This date coincides with the Victoria Day holiday that is celebrated in most other provinces and territories across Canada.
The holiday was officially established by the government of Quebec in 2002 to commemorate the Patriotes' Rebellions of 18371838. This conflict, also known as the Lower Canada Rebellion, was led by a movement of predominantly French-Canadian reformers (the Patriotes) who sought significant political and democratic reforms, including responsible government. They opposed the authority of the British colonial power and its appointed officials, fighting for greater control over the colony's governance.
By observing this day, Quebec provides a distinct historical commemoration that contrasts with the celebration of a British monarch on Victoria Day. National Patriots' Day serves to honour the memory of the individuals who fought for democratic ideals and the recognition of the Quebec nation's political identity. It is a specific provincial observance and not a federal or national holiday in Canada.
