Quebec

:This article describes the Canadian province. For other usages, see Quebec (disambiguation).

Symbols and emblems

The motto of Quebec is Je me souviens (I remember), which is carved into the Parliament Building façade in Quebec City (Ville de Québec) and is seen on the coat of arms and licence plates.

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The graphic emblem of Quebec is the fleur-de-lis, usually white on a blue background, as on the flag of Quebec (above), the Fleurdelisé. As indicated on the government of Quebec's Web site, the flag recalls the Royal banner said to have accompanied the army of General Montcalm, Marquis de Saint-Véran during the victorious battle of Carillon in 1758.

Related Topics:
Fleur-de-lis - Flag of Quebec - General Montcalm, Marquis de Saint-Véran

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The floral emblem of Quebec is the blue flag iris (Iris versicolor). It was formerly the Madonna lily, to recall the fleur-de-lis, but has been changed to the iris which is native to Quebec.

Related Topics:
Blue flag iris - Lily

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The avian emblem of Quebec is the snowy owl.

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The patron saint of French Canada is John the Baptist. La Saint-Jean-Baptiste, June 24, is Quebec's national day, and is officially called the Fête nationale du Québec since 1977. The song "Gens du pays" by Gilles Vigneault is often regarded as Quebec's unofficial anthem.

Related Topics:
John the Baptist - June 24 - Fête nationale du Québec - Gens du pays - Gilles Vigneault

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Quebec is sometimes referred to as "La Belle Province" which means "The Beautiful Province". Until the late 1970s, this phrase was displayed on Quebec licence plates. It has since been replaced by the province's official motto: "Je me souviens" which means "I remember". A common debate in popular Canadian culture (both French and English) is to what is being remembered.

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