Like every year, 2025 will be an opportunity to highlight various significant historical anniversaries that have marked the history of Quebec and its inhabitants. As the new year begins, here is a list of some of the significant events that will be important to remember…
1775: the invasion of Quebec by the Americans!
During the Siege of Quebec, the battle of December 31, 1775 led to the death of American General Richard Montgomery, depicted in this painting by John Trumbull.
As President-elect Donald Trump talks about making Canada 51e State of the United States, this year we will mark the 250e anniversary of the American invasion of Quebec, which began in September 1775. During this period, Americans in revolt against Great Britain occupied Montreal and besieged Quebec for several months. While some Canadians were favorable to the American insurgents and lent them a hand, others joined Governor Guy Carleton’s militias to defend the colony. However, the majority of the Canadian population remained neutral and refrained from interfering in the conflict. Eventually, the insurgents were forced to lift the siege and return to their lands. They obtained their independence, but Province of Quebec remained British.
30 years of the 1995 referendum
On October 30, we will mark 30 years of the 1995 referendum.
Photo provided by NATIONAL FILM OFFICE
On October 30, it will be 30 years since Quebecers voted for a second time on their constitutional future. At the time, it was a question of knowing whether the government of Quebec was given the mandate to negotiate with Canada for Quebec’s accession to sovereignty. In 1980, the Parti Québécois, led by René Lévesque, was rejected, while 59.6% of Quebecers voted no.
In 1995, the Parti Québécois, led by Jacques Parizeau, made a second attempt, buoyed by the rise of the idea of independence following the failure of the Meech Lake and Charlottetown accords. For months, the Yes camp, led by Parizeau, and the No camp, led by Daniel Johnson Jr., will clash to get as many citizens as possible to adhere to their position. After an intense referendum campaign lasting several months, Quebecers decided on the evening of October 30, 1995: No won with a slim majority of 50.58% support, compared to 49.42% for Yes.
-March 13, 2025: five years since the establishment of the state of emergency and the start of the great confinement!
One of the many press conferences held by the trio formed by François Legault, Christian Dubé and Horacio Arruda. From March 13, 2020 and until June 1, 2022, Quebec was under a state of health emergency.
Photo d’archives, STEVENS LEBLANC
All this seems a long way away, but we must remember that for two years, to counter the COVID-19 virus, Quebec was under a state of health emergency. Democracy was put on hold and the government ruled by decree, advised by international private firms, such as McKinsey. During this period, the State closely defined the rights and freedoms of citizens, and various measures and restrictions followed one another. At times, it was necessary to distance ourselves from each other, wear masks in public, respect a curfew or have a health passport to access certain public places. Remember: Quebec was temporarily divided into colored zones, and it was even forbidden to get together with family to celebrate Christmas! The trend was towards teleworking, remote schooling or happy hours on Zoom. Digital technology has taken an increasing place in the lives of citizens. By staying at home, they were entrusted with the mission of saving lives.
To get out of these health measures, the vaccine was seen as the panacea that would immunize the population, flatten the curves, unclog hospitals and allow citizens to regain their freedom. This is why billions of public money were granted to pharmaceutical companies, and why the Legault government considered for some time imposing a health tax on people who refused the vaccine.
If, during the first weeks, Quebecers seemed unanimous in agreeing to restrictions in the face of an unknown virus, a few discordant voices began to be heard over the months. However, dissent and criticism of the official narrative were very frowned upon, and even repressed in certain cases. Doctors, lawyers, journalists, columnists and ordinary citizens have been blamed, and some have even lost their jobs for refusing the vaccine or daring to question health and government strategies.
In short, until now, no real assessment of these two strange years has been made. The chandelier that we will highlight on March 13 would be a great opportunity to do so…
Other anniversaries to mark in 2025:
- On February 26, it will be 100 years since June 24 was designated a public holiday by the National Assembly of Quebec.
- 50 years since the inauguration of Mirabel airport, October 4, 1975.
- 200 years since the official opening to navigation of the Lachine Canal on October 6, 1825.
- We will also mark, in 2025, the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the Jesuits in Quebec.
