St. Jean Baptiste Day in Canada

St. Jean Baptiste Day, also known as La Fête de la Saint-Jean, La Saint-Jean, or Quebec's National Holiday, is celebrated on June 24th each year. It is particularly significant in the province of Quebec, where it has been a statutory holiday since 1925.

History

The day is named after Saint John the Baptist, a Jewish preacher who baptized Jesus in the River Jordan. The celebration has roots in European midsummer festivals and was brought to Canada by French settlers. Over time, it evolved to become a patriotic holiday for French Canadians to celebrate their heritage and culture.

Traditions

Traditional activities include:

• Public parades, with floats and musicians.
• Bonfires, reminiscent of the ancient midsummer fires.
• Singing of traditional songs and dancing.
• Religious services in honor of Saint John the Baptist.
• Award ceremonies recognizing contributions to Quebecois culture.

Modern Celebrations

Today, people across Quebec and other Francophone areas in Canada:

• Attend concerts featuring French-Canadian artists.
• Enjoy family-friendly activities like face painting and games.
• Participate in community feasts with traditional foods like poutine and tourtière.
• Watch fireworks displays at night.

St. Jean Baptiste Day is a time for Francophones in Canada to express their cultural pride through festivity and community events.