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Because many Quebecois did not wish to celebrate Canada's ties to the British monarchy, a competing celebration was set up on Victoria Day. In 1918, almost two decades after the first celebration of Victoria Day, the ''Fête de Dollard '' was set up by Lionel Groulx , in honour of a 17th century French settler who was killed trying to defend a French settlement against Iroquois attackers. The day later became a statutory holiday under both federal and provincial legislation.

The celebration was changed to ''Journée nationale des Patriotes'' in 2002, in part because the myth of Dollard des Ormeaux lost its appeal to Quebec youth over the generations, and because of questions over its historical accuracy.


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