1980: Quebec Votes to Stay or Go

The province of Quebec, with a history that goes back to France in the early 1600s, has always had a "distinct society" with its language and cultural roots.

Beginning in the 1960s, there grew a political movement in the province of Quebec to separate from Canada and establish a Frenchspeaking nation. This eventually led to a referendum (vote) in Quebec in 1980 and a second one in 1995. The question was about "sovereignty" for Quebec, that is, whether or not the province should separate and create a new economic and political partnership between Quebec and the rest of Canada. The vote in 1995 was narrowly defeated by 1 percent, or fewer than 55,000 votes.

The motto, Je me souviens! continues to be seen in Quebec, specifically on license plates, as a reminder of the province's distinct roots.