It all began in Canada!
The Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval is observed in Canada on July 28 each year. It commemorates the Great Upheaval (French: Le Grand Dérangement), the forced deportation of thousands of Acadian settlers by British authorities between 1755 and 1763.
Acadians were French-speaking people who had settled in what are now Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Beginning on July 28, 1755, British authorities ordered their deportation because they were viewed as a security risk during conflicts between Britain and France. Families were separated, homes and farms were seized, and many people died from disease, shipwrecks, and hardship during the deportation. Others were scattered across North America, Europe, and the Caribbean; many eventually settled in Louisiana, where their descendants became known as Cajuns.
In 2003, Canada issued a Royal Proclamation acknowledging this history and designated July 28 as the annual Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval, with the first official observance beginning in 2005, marking the 250th anniversary of the deportation order.
Today, the day is marked with:
- Memorial ceremonies and moments of reflection.
- Educational events about Acadian history and culture.
- Commemorations, particularly in Acadian communities across Atlantic Canada, including at Grand-Pré National Historic Site.
This is a commemorative day, not a statutory public holiday. It is intended to remember the suffering of the Acadian people and recognize their lasting contributions to Canada’s history and culture.
Source: ChatGPT Story idea: Jerry Katz
