Welcome to the Encyclopedia of French Cultural Heritage in North America! As you browse the site, you will learn about the heritage of French-speaking North America, as well as about its history and diversity. Get to know the people who preserve and cherish it, discover the places where it finds expression and become familiar with the trends that have shaped and influenced its evolution throughout history.

Article Summary

Sheet music - O Canada (1927)

By Gauthier, Serge

O Canada: From French Canadian Patriotic Song to National Anthem

Every country has a national anthem, and Canada—with its O Canada—is no exception. National anthems are symbols meant to bring people together, crystallizing their sense of belonging and collective identity. Played or sung at official ceremonies and on solemn occasions, they are supposed to encapsulate what is best in a country or nation. That, in theory, is their purpose. But the destiny of an anthem may change over time to reflect transformations in a country or nation. Such is the surprising story of O Canada. A French Canadian patriotic song before becoming Canada’s national anthem...

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The English version of the Encyclopedia of French Cultural Heritage in North America is online since December 15th, 2009. It features an ever growing number of articles, documents and resources on the heritage of French-speaking North America.

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