Did you know
1. National Flag of Canada Day was officially proclaimed on February 15, 1996.
2. Canada is the only country with a maple leaf on its flag.
3. The maple leaf has been used historically as a decorative and ornamental symbol in Canadian art, medals, badges and coat of arms. It has often served to distinguish Canadians abroad.
4. The stylized maple leaf on the flag has eleven points.
5. Red and white were proclaimed Canada's official colours in the proclamation of the Royal Arms of Canada in 1921 by King George V.
1The Canadian flag is twice as long as it is wide. The white square and its maple leaf make up half the surface of the flag equal to the two red bars combined.
6. Vexillologists (flag experts) often cite the National Flag of Canada as one of the world’s most beautiful based on its compelling design and measured use of colour.
7. Every province and territory in Canada has its own flag. The one symbol that represents us all at home and abroad is the red and white National Flag of Canada.
8. In 1982, Canadian mountaineer Laurie Skreslet brought the national flag with him to the highest point in the world, Mount Everest.
9. In 1984, the Canadian flag reached new heights when it was launched into space on the flight along with the first Canadian astronaut on the NASA space shuttle Challenger.
10. The role of flag-bearer for Canadian teams attending international sporting events is a special honour for those like Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir who proudly represented Canada at the PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2018.
11. When the National Flag flies along with the flags of the 10 provinces and three territories, the flags of the provinces and territories follow in the order that they entered Confederation
The maple leaf
The maple leaf has been a recognizable and important symbol for Canada for over 300 years. It has been used to symbolize Canada, the land and its people. It is also used in the coat of arms and the flags of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Red and white – Canada’s national colours
Canada’s national colours have a deep foundation in history. The colours, red and white, can be traced back through France and England.
The national anthem
“O Canada” was proclaimed Canada’s national anthem on July 1, 1980, one century after it was first sung in the City of Québec on June 24, 1880.
The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, a well-known composer born in Verchères, Canada EastFootnote 4. French lyrics to accompany the music were written by Adolphe-Basile Routhier, a poet and judge born in Saint-Placide, Lower Canada. Many English versions have appeared over the years. The version on which the official English lyrics are based was written in 1908 by Robert Stanley Weir, a poet born in Hamilton, Ontario.
The national flag
With its distinctive maple leaf, Canada’s red and white flag is easily recognized around the globe.
The adoption of the national flag in 1965 was the result of many years of discussion, thousands of designs and a heated debate in Parliament. The search for a new Canadian flag began in 1925, when a committee of the Privy Council began to look into potential designs. In 1946, a parliamentary committee examined more than 2,600 submissions – but members could not agree on a new design. As the Centennial of Confederation approached, Parliament increased its efforts to choose a new flag.
On February 15, 1965, the National Flag of Canada was raised for the first time over Parliament Hill. The red-white-red pattern is based on the flag of the Royal Military College of Canada and the ribbon of the Canada General Service Medal of 1899, a British decoration given to those who defended Canada in 19th-century battles.
The anniversary of our flag’s adoption is observed across the country on February 15, which is known as National Flag of Canada Day.
The national horse
While the Canadian horse was declared by Parliament to be Canada’s national breed in 1909, it was not until May 2002 that it was recognized as the national horse of Canada by Act of Parliament.
The origins of the Canadian horse date back to 1665. At that time, the King of France sent horses from the royal stables to New France – the Norman and Breton horses were of mixed origin and included Arabian, Barb and Andalusian horses. Over the next century, the horse population of New France developed in isolation from other breeds, gradually becoming a breed of its own – the Canadian horse.
The Canadian horse is known for its great strength and endurance, resilience, intelligence and good temper. Threatened with extinction in the late 19th century, efforts were made in the late 1800s and throughout the 20th century to preserve the distinctive Canadian horse.
