
The sixth
Convention took place on August 19 and 20, 1908. Acadians from the
Maritime Provinces, Îles de la Madeleine, Labrador, New England,
Louisiana, and other places were present at Saint-Basile of Madawaska.
Cyprien Martin was president, the Senator Pascal Poirier was secretary
and Prudent Mercure, assistant secretary. Each parish was allowed
three or four delegates. A special train from Moncton bringing 300
delegates came in late, but nevertheless the convention was a success.
About 5000 people gathered and strolled around the grounds between
the church and the Hôtel-Dieu. The reporter from Le Moniteur
Acadian wrote that the Acadian flag was flying and towered above
everthing. (August 27, 1908). They even had fireworks the first
evening, with patriotic speeches in between. On the second day,
a Requiem mass was celebrated in memory of the ancestors.
***
1881
First Acadian national congress in Memramcook. Delegates choose
August 15 as the Acadian national holiday. At this congress, the
Société nationale de l'Acadie was created.
1884
+ Second Acadian national congress at Miscouche, Prince-Edward-Island.
Acadians adopt their flag which constitutes the Franch flag to which
a gold-coloured star to commemorate the Virgin Mary was added to
the blue section. Also adopted was the Ave Maris Stella as the national
anthem. August 16, 1884.
+ The Acadian flag is raised for the very first time. The Acadian
flag was chosen in Miscouche, PEI in 1884 at the second national
Acadian Convention. To honour the French heritage of Acadians, the
Acadian flag is based on the blue, white and red flag of France.
The yellow star, symbol of the Virgin Mary, was added to the upper
left corner of the blue band to represent the Catholic faith. This
star of the sea, Stella Maris, provides Mary's light and protection
to guide mariners through storms and around shoals, toward the future.
It was designed by Father Marcel-François-Richard and sewn
by Marie Babineau, from Saint-Louis-de-Kent (NB). You can find the
original flag at the Musée acadien de lUniversité
de Moncton.
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