In 2025, National Patriots' Day (Journe nationale des patriotes) will be observed on Monday, May 19. This statutory holiday in the province of Quebec, Canada, is legislated to occur annually on the Monday preceding May 25. The date is determined by this rule rather than a fixed calendar day. The holiday commemorates the Patriote Rebellion of 18371838, which was an armed conflict in Lower Canada (now Quebec) advocating for political and constitutional reform.
The establishment of National Patriots' Day in November 2002 by the Government of Quebec serves to highlight a distinct historical narrative. It officially replaced the former holiday, Fte de Dollard, and provides a regional alternative to Victoria Day, which is celebrated on the same date throughout the rest of Canada. The Patriote movement, led by figures such as Louis-Joseph Papineau, sought to establish a responsible government accountable to the elected legislative assembly rather than a British-appointed governor. The commemoration focuses on the assertion of political rights and the democratic principles fought for during the rebellions.
For practical purposes, the observance on May 19, 2025, signifies a public holiday for residents of Quebec. Consequently, federal, provincial, and municipal government offices, financial institutions, and many private sector businesses will be closed. The date is often associated with the beginning of the summer season in Canada, but in Quebec, its official significance is rooted in the political history and republican ideals of the Patriote movement, reflecting the province's unique cultural and historical identity.
