Every year-end is an opportunity to look back on the past few months. It's also the perfect time to look forward to the beginning of the new year.
In this regard, from a historical perspective, there will be some notable anniversaries in Quebec in 2024. Here is a non-exhaustive overview.
The 250e of the Quebec Act
On June 22, we mark the 250th anniversary of this law, which represents one of the first great moments in Quebec's constitutional history. Fourteen years after the fall of New France into the hands of the British and eleven years after the royal proclamation aimed at assimilating the Canadian population of French origin, the Quebec Act of 1774 embodied a temporary abandonment of assimilation goals by the British authorities. It should be placed in the context of the revolutionary movement in the American colonies. London then wanted to win the sympathy of the French-speaking population, especially its elites, by abolishing the test oath and, in particular, recognizing the Catholic religion, French civil law and thus the manorial regime: three important institutional and cultural peculiarities of the Canadian population at that time.
In 2024 we will mark the 250th anniversary of the Quebec Act, passed on June 22, 1774. In the document in the photo, Governor Guy Carleton introduced the provisions of the new law to the residents of the province of Quebec in 1774. Canadian History Museum
The 50the of the Official Languages Act
The Official Languages Act (Act 22), passed by the National Assembly and approved on July 31, 1974, declared French the sole official language of Quebec for the first time. It is this last aspect that gives all its importance to this law, which will not last long…
Proposed by the government of Robert Bourassa to put an end to the language crisis that Quebec has been going through since the late 1960s, but it is unanimously opposed. Francophones find it less caustic, while Anglophones find it discriminatory. It is replaced by Bill 101, passed by the Parti Québécois in 1977.
50 years of Superfrancofête
Also in the linguistic field, 1974 was the scene of an important cultural event that demonstrated the excitement of the time and the dynamism of the affirmation of Quebec's youth. It was the Superfrancofête, which took place in Quebec from August 13 to 24, 1974 and was attended by representatives of several French-speaking countries. The opening show brought together none other than Félix Leclerc, Gilles Vigneault and Robert Charlebois on stage for a concert on the Plains of Abraham. At that time they put on a now iconic show called “I Saw the Wolf, the Fox and the Lion” which was attended by more than 100,000 people!
Following the looting of the James Bay construction site by FTQ agents, Robert Bourassa's government established the Cliche Commission on March 27, 1974. She was responsible for investigating freedom of unions in the construction industry. Judge Robert Cliche chairs the commission, assisted by Brian Mulroney and Guy Chevrette. BAnQ
Some more important birthdays in 2024
- March 21 marks the 50th anniversary of the sack of James Bay by an FTQ agent. This coup will lead to the creation of the famous Cliché Commission on Freedom of Association in the Construction Industry that same year.
- August 19th marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Montreal patriot leader and politician Denis-Benjamin Viger.
- The 150th birthday of journalist Olivar Asselin, November 8th.
- The 350th anniversary of the founding of Pointe-Aux-Trembles.
On November 8th we celebrate the 150th birthday of the fiery journalist Olivar Asselin. BAnQ
In short, there are many great projects waiting to be revisited by historians in the coming year. At the same time, there are great opportunities to remember and better understand these events and people who have shaped our shared history.
In the meantime, I wish everyone a Happy New Year 2024!