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National Acadian Day !
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August 15 is National Acadian Day One of the highlights of the first National Acadian Convention in 1881 in Memramcook, New Brunswick was choosing this day. There were several suggestions, but the debate mainly focused on Saint-Jean-Baptiste, French Canada's national holiday, which is celebrated on June 24, and Our Lady of Assumption, celebrated on August 15. Supporters of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste agreed that a holiday common to all French Canadians would unite them around common objectives. They were hoping to strengthen the ties between Acadia and Quebec . Since the 1860s, priests and laymen in Acadia had introduced the idea to encourage Acadian parishes to celebrate Saint-Jean-Baptiste. The holiday was first held in Rustico, Prince Edward Island, in the early 1860s. The parish priest originally from Quebec, founded a temperance institute under the patronage of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, and each year members celebrated the birthday of their patron saint. Baie-Egmont , Memramcook , Miscouche and Bouctouche soon did the same.
Photo by Aline Cormier .
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