Events

August 15: National Acadian Day
Since 1881, August 15 has been recognized by Acadians as National Acadian Day. The federal and provincial governments officially recognized National Acadian Day in 2003 and in 2004 respectively. August 15 is celebrated with community festivals and family events.

July 28: Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval
In 2003, a Royal Proclamation recognized the wrongs suffered by the Acadians during the Great Upheaval and declared July 28 as the Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval. The declaration came into effect in 2005, on the 250th anniversary of the Grand Dérangement. In Nova Scotia, commemoration activities are held predominantly in Grand-Pré. For more information, visit Société Promotion Grand-Pré.

March 20: Journée Internationale de la Francophonie
Created in 1998, this day celebrates the French language on an international scale. According to a report prepared by the Organisation internationale de la francophonie, there are approximately 200 million francophones worldwide. Seventy countries and states celebrate the Journée internationale de la Francophonie.

Congrès mondial acadien
Every five years Acadians gather from around the world to celebrate their culture and history. The first Congrès mondial acadien (CMA) was held in 1994 across nine municipalities in south-eastern New Brunswick. The CMA 1999 was held in southern Louisiana and the CMA 2004 was held in Nova Scotia, the ancestral homeland of the Acadians. The latter coincided with the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first French settlers in Canada in 1604. During CMA 2004, more than 100 families held reunions in communities ranging from Pubnico to Chéticamp to celebrate their common heritage. The CMA 2009 took place in 80 communities across the Acadian Peninsula of New Brunswick and hosted more than 70 family reunions. The CMA 2014 Acadie des terres et des forêts will take place collaboratively in Québec, New Brunswick and Maine.