Canada National Flag Day (15/02)

National Flag of Canada Day — is an annual Canadian holiday (since 1996) celebrated on February 15 to commemorate the first time a flag with a red maple leaf was raised on this day in 1965.

As you can see, the maple leaf, with which Canada is probably associated among the majority of the world's inhabitants, settled on the Canadian flag relatively recently.

In the first decades of development by settlers of Canada (from the late 15th century to the 1520s), the flag of this territory was an English flag depicting the Cross of St. George. Later, when the northern lands of the American continent became the possessions of the King of France, the flag of the French Orleans dynasty with royal lilies was used.

In the 1620s, Canada again came under the influence of Britain and used its national flag as its flag. In 1707, the Red Ensign (a red naval flag with a British flag in the canton), later renamed the Canadian Red Ensign, became the flag of Canada. This flag continued to serve as Canada's «calling card even after the formation of the dominion in 1867: it was used by Canadians until the mid-20th century, despite the fact that since the formation of the confederation, Canada has adopted the British national flag Union Jack as a symbol of its connection with Great Britain. During the First World War, Canadian soldiers fought in Europe under this flag.

The two colors — red and white — became the official colors of Canada after their approval by King George V, who on November 21, 1921 granted Canada a new national emblem, which included both of these colors, symbolizing England and France, respectively. A new coat of arms was added to the Red Ensign in 1924, and the flag thus combined was recognized as the official flag of Canada on January 26, 1924. Canadians fought under this flag in World War II.

An official commission to develop its own national flag was created in Canada back in 1925, and after the end of World War II, the question of the country’s unborrowed, unique flag, which would represent Canada regardless of its dependence on the British flag, became especially acute. But it was only in 1964, three years before Canada's 100th anniversary, that Prime Minister Lester Pearson organized a «-flag committee» of 15 members of Parliament, whose task was to find a characteristic design for the future Canadian flag that would not allow confuse it with any flag of another country.

The National Flag Act was passed by the House of Commons of the Canadian Parliament on December 15, 1964, after lengthy debate. The disagreement was caused by the fact that the original leaf of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) was the emblem of Eastern Canada, where this type of tree grows, and where maple syrup is extracted from it. In the rest of Canadian territory, this type of maple is almost completely absent. After 15 days of lively discussions, the Maple Leaf did receive an overwhelming majority of votes, now in Parliament.

Three days later, the Senate sent the proposal to the Queen, and on December 31, 1964, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain (and Canada) expressed her highest approval. Thus, Canada acquired its own flag, the first raising of which took place on February 15, 1965.

The flag is made in two colors — red and white, and with a 2:1 aspect ratio, it consists of three vertical stripes of different sizes. A stylized image of a red maple leaf is placed on a central white field, which is framed on both sides by vertical red stripes. The middle white stripe is twice as wide as each of the lateral reds and is shaped like a square.

This flag composition symbolizes two oceans, washing the shores of Canada on both sides — Pacific and Atlantic — and the country enclosed between them, the national motto of which is «From sea to sea», that is, «From sea to sea». The maple leaf should emphasize the unity of the nation. The two colors — red, the color of the cross of St. George associated with Great Britain, and white, the traditional color of the French monarchy, symbolize the equality of the two official languages of Canada — English and French.

Here are some quotes from the 1965 decree, the year the flag was born: «...simple in design, the Canadian flag reflects the common values that our country values, such as freedom, peace, tolerance and the rule of law. He is a symbol that unites Canadians around the world and will always be the pride of Canada... Let's be proud of our flag! Let's consider it a privilege that we live in Canada — a magnificent country that contains our history, our hopes, our future...».

1210