In Canada, the proper noun Patriots' Day refers to a statutory holiday observed exclusively in the province of Quebec. Officially known in French as Journe nationale des patriotes, it is celebrated annually on the Monday preceding May 25. The holiday commemorates the Patriotes' Rebellion of 18371838, which was a fight for democratic reforms and an end to British colonial oligarchic rule in Lower Canada.
The establishment of this holiday involved a re-contextualization of a pre-existing date. The Monday before May 25 is recognized as Victoria Day in most of Canada, a federal holiday celebrating the birthday of Queen Victoria. In 2002, the government of Quebec officially replaced the observance of Victoria Day (or its informal predecessor, Fte de Dollard) with Patriots' Day. This act served to formally recognize the historical significance of the Patriotes, whose republican ideals stood in direct opposition to the British monarchical system that Victoria Day celebrates.
Consequently, while the date aligns with the Victoria Day long weekend across the rest of the country, its symbolic meaning in Quebec is entirely distinct. The holiday is a provincial commemoration that underscores Quebec's unique political history and democratic aspirations. It serves as a practical example of how different historical narratives are recognized and celebrated within the Canadian federation, with Quebec using the date to honor a movement for self-determination rather than its connection to the British Crown.
