A Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval Date in the current year: July 28, 2024

During the French and Indian War the British began a military campaign against New France. Acadians (present day Canadians from Nova Scotia Maritime provinces) were deported to the Thirteen Colonies. After 1758 even more Acadians were transported to France and Britain. Approximately 11,500 Acadians were deported from 1755 till 1763.

Thousands of Acadians died in the expulsions from the diseases and drowning when ships were lost. 78 Acadian families found an asylum at the French Belle-Île-en-Mer off the western coast of Brittany. Louis XV offered Acadians 2 acres of land in the province Poitou, France, but the land was infertile, that is why most had to abandon the province. Around 3,000 Acadians fled to Louisiana, which then was controlled by the Spanish. Many of them took oaths of allegiances to Spain and soon formed the largest ethnic group in Louisiana.

The expulsion was acknowledged by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, representing Queen Elizabeth II, but didn't apologize for it. July 28 was designated as A Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval.