The Canadian government has designated August 15 as National Acadian Day in honour of the Acadian people who were forced to flee Eastern Canada in the 18th century. Despite the destruction of their settlements and the dispersion of their families, the Acadians and their culture survived?and survive still. Click through these links for a taste of Acadian history and culture.
What’s the real story behind Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s epic poem Evangeline? Although It’s uncertain whether the poem is factually accurate, it shot Longfellow to fame and created a lasting cultural impact. The Maine Historical Society explains some of its effects.
What were the circumstances surrounding the Acadian expulsion? What was the culture of the time? History books offer answers, but It’s hard to beat a look at the original sources. Here, the Nova Scotia Archives offers an online collection of ?primary source documents relating to the Deportation of the Acadians from Nova Scotia.? The page also links to portraits and drawings from the time.
What happened after the Acadians were forced out of their homes and villages? They were dispersed to several different locations, but many were unhappy and migrated south toward Louisiana. The Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site in Louisiana has both preserved and recreated buildings and farmsteads to show what life was like for Acadian refugees centuries ago. Check out the other photo gallery for more images.
