Learn about how the national flag of canada was created, why and when it is flown at halfmast, its elements and dimensions, as well as flag etiquette. The process began in 1895 when heraldry enthusiast edward m. Since confederation in 1867, canadas been changing both from the outside and from within. A joint committee of the senate and house of commons voted for the present flag in 1964 against formidable odds. Our flag a symbol of canada level 1 the purpose of is to provide wellstructured and interesting reading texts and other classroom activities. National flag of canada day, or just flag day is a holiday observed annually on february 15 the day right after valentines day. National flag of india images, history of indian flag. Jul 01, 2015 since confederation in 1867, canada s been changing both from the outside and from within. The canadian red ensign was unofficially used since the 1860s and approved by a 1945 order in council for use wherever place or occasion may make it desirable to fly a distinctive canadian flag.
National flag of canada day in 20202021 when, where, why. This flag of canada can be printed from your web browser or the adobe acrobat pdf reader and is provided free for your personal use. It was adopted in its present form during a meeting of the constituent assembly held on 22 july 1947, and it became the official flag of the dominion of india on 15 august 1947. Canada s national flag is instantly recognizable as a proud symbol of our country. The national flag was designed by a former south african state herald, mr fred brownell, and was first used on 27 april 1994. This holiday is celebrated on february 15th in canada. In accordance with a formal proclamation by queen elizabeth ii of england, a new canadian national flag is raised above parliament hill in ottawa, the capital of canada. The flag is a british red ensign, featuring the union jack in the canton, adorned with the shield of the coat of arms of canada. Canadians are not characterized as passionate people but passions ran high during the summer and fall of 1964. The department of canadian heritage lays out protocol guidelines for the display of flags, including an order of precedence. Additionally, it is used as an official flag in some of the smaller british overseas territories.
The crowd sang the national anthem o canada, followed by the royal anthem, god save the queen. He wrote a book promoting his flag, called project of a distinct national flag for canada it seems like most of the submissions were based on the red ensign, but this is different. And to commemorate canada s 148 years, heres the history of canada. The flag of newfoundland and labrador was introduced in 1980 and was designed by newfoundland artist christopher pratt. Today, it is a world leader in agricultural production, telecommunications and energy technologies. Oct 28, 2015 the first flag known to have flown in canada was the st georges cross carried by john cabot when he reached newfoundland in 1497. The canada flag consists of a red field with a white square in the middle. On this day the inauguration of the current canadian flag is remembered. The union flag also appears in the canton upper flagstaffside quarter of the flags of several. The flag of canada was officially adopted on february 15, 1965. The flag design was approved by the house of assembly of the province of newfoundland, canada, on may 28, 1980.
No flag, banner or pennant should be flown above the canadian flag. The central theme of the flag is a maple leaf, which refers to the indigenous population that has been using the. The canadian red and blue ensigns and royal canadian navy use of the white ensign go out of official use. Flag of canada image and meaning canadian flag country flags. Jun 05, 2016 a national flag for canada was discussed in detail dating back to 189596 by heraldry enthusiast edward m. They remain some of the most important emblems of the nation, easily recognized and much beloved canadas national flag is the red and white maple leaf flag, seen on the right. The canadian parliament debated the flag issue for 33 days. The maple leaf was first officially flown on february 15, 1965. It received 2,409 designs from the public and was addressed by the director of the historical section of the canadian army, fortescue. Canada is home to a wide variety of flags representing different aspects of the countrys geography, history and culture.
The flag may be flown at night on special occasions, but it should be illuminated. Pearson, pitched a very controversial speech in which he proposed creating a new maple leaf flag. National flag of canada day in canada time and date. This document is intended to bring awareness to the process, people and institutions which were involved in the national. In the midnineteenth century, a newstate, called the canadian dominion of the british empire and, therefore, created a new national flag. Before the adoption of this flag, canada had a couple of different flags which had flown over its country. Flag and heraldry experts also call the design of the flag a canadian pale. The national flag of india is a horizontal rectangular tricolour of india saffron, white and india green.
It combines the provincial shield with the western red lily, the floral emblem of the province. Chadwick recommended to the government that canada should have its own national flag featuring a maple leaf. The flags of british north america used in colonial canada showcased ties to the british empire. The colours of the flag are the official national colours of canada, red and white. It has an 11point red maple leaf canadas national symbol in a broad white center stripe, with a broad vertical red stripe at each end. But it may surprise you to learn that the national flag is relatively young and a few different flags were flown before it was adopted. The national flag of canada, also known as the canadian flag or the maple leaf flag lunifolie in french, consists of a red field with a white square at its centre in which sits a stylized, 11pointed red maple leaf. The flag also has official status in canada, by parliamentary resolution, where it is known as the royal union flag. Before this, canada used the british red ensign with canada s coat of arms on it.
Jour du drapeau national du canada, commonly shortened to flag day, is observed annually on february 15 to commemorate the inauguration of the flag of canada on that date in 1965. The national flag of canada, though simple with its red and white colours and a single maple leaf, symbolizes pride and strength throughout canadian history. This twosided flag can be printed from your web browser or the adobe acrobat pdf reader and is provided free for your personal use. The name of the province was changed to newfoundland and. After months of debate, the final design, adopted by. The national flag of canada, which is sometimes called the maple leaf was adopted as such in 1965.
Amid much controversy, the maple leaf flag replaced the canadian red ensign, which had been, with various successive alterations, in conventional use as a canadian national flag since 1868. Fifteen politicians were appointed to a confidential committee to choose a new emblem for canada. This holiday commemorates the first time the canadian national flag. Canadian national flag acadian genealogy historical. Affordable and search from millions of royalty free images, photos and vectors. National state symbols of state of canada each country of the world adopts some signs or emblems, which they regard as the representative of their country straits. Many schools often hold special lessons on the canadian national flag and its history around this time of the year. The central theme of the flag is a maple leaf, which refers to the indigenous population that has been using the maple sap for centuries, and which still is a. Several different flags were used in canada before our current national flag. First it was the flag, previously used as a governor general of the british flag was depicted in the middle panel, which was divided into four sections. A major change in symbols took place in 1921, when canada was granted a distinctive new coat of arms. The canadian red ensign, bearing the union jack and the shield of the royal arms of canada, was lowered and then, on the stroke of noon, the new maple leaf flag was raised. Jun 08, 2001 the national flag was designed by a former south african state herald, mr fred brownell, and was first used on 27 april 1994. National flag of canada act 159 kb act current to 20200116.
The imperial union jack and other british flags were considered sufficient, although a coat of arms in the form of a heraldic shield was granted. In the gruelling 1964 quest for a national flag, the redandwhite and maple leaf motifs found their way onto numerous submissions from organizations and citizens across canada notably the pearson pennant the pms own design, which used the more traditional threeleaf design seen on the coat of arms, sided by blue strips that represented the pacific and atlantic oceans. Flag of canada simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This is a copy of the flag proposal put forth in 1939 by ephrem cote. The function of a national flag of canada is to convey a message.
The red and white used in the national flag of canada were proclaimed the official colors of canada in 1921 by king george v. Although the maple leaf did not have official status as an emblem of canada until 1965, it had historically been used as a canadian symbol and was employed in 1860 in decorations for the visit of the prince of wales to canada. National flag of canada canada national flag history. The most famous of them have become the widely known symbols and country brands, recognized in every corner of the world. The design and colours are a synopsis of principal elements of the countrys flag history.
The canadian flag is result of the contribution of many, extending over a century. The process of choosing the design, was a long one that stirred national debate. I should also note there was for much of our history another flag tradition, that of the union jack as the flag of canada, particularly prior to the second. A national flag is designed with specific meanings for its colours and symbols.
The day shown for national flag of canada day is based off how much chitterchatter and buzz there was on feb. Flag of canada, canada flag, national flag of canada. The flag made its first official appearance on february 15, 1965. A national flag is a flag that represents and symbolizes a country. The history of the indian national flag over the years. They remain some of the most important emblems of the nation, easily recognized and much beloved. The imperial union jack and other british flags were considered sufficient, although a coat of arms in the form of a heraldic shield was. The flag of canada consists of two vertical bands of red hoist and fly side, half width, with white square between them. It was suggested again in 1919 after the first world war with input from expert individuals such as majorgeneral later sir eugene fiset.
This flag became the official flag of canada on feb. The union jack, or union flag, is the national flag of the united kingdom. Every country has its own national symbols, national heroes and some other things known as national canadian identity. George stanley, who intended to capture several important elements of canadian history. But it may surprise you to learn that the national flag is relatively young, and a few different. A royal proclamation establishes the national flag of canada, the current maple leaf flag. Individual colours, or colour combinations have different meanings for different people and therefore no universal symbolism.
The maple leaf flag became canadas flag on 15 february 1965 before this, canada used the british red ensign with canadas coat of arms on it. National flag of canada day marks the day on which the canadian flag was raised for the first time on parliament hill in ottawa. In 1534, jacques cartier planted a cross in gaspe bearing the french royal coat of arms with the fleursdelis. In canada, the national flag of canada day is on february 15. And to commemorate canadas 148 years, heres the history of canada. Canadas national flag is the red and white maple leaf flag, seen on the right. Four flags that almost became canadas national flag. The birth of canadas flag is a story of the longest debate in canadian history. The red and white used in the national flag of canada were proclaimed the official colors of canada in 1921 by king george. Being an important symbol of the sovereign state, the national flags describe in their colors and design the history and the present day of the countries. The green is representative of the forests in northern saskatchewan, and the yellow represents the grain field of. Our algorithms examine all of the references to national days across social media and updates hourly, with our. This infographic gives a history of the famous national flag of canada.
Red ensign canadien served as the civil ensign for canada from 1892 to 1965, and as an informal flag of canada from the late19th century to 1965. The vast majority of canadas exports go to the united states. The flag of canada often referred to as the canadian flag, or unofficially as the maple leaf and. Flag experts say that the red ensign was defaced by the coat of arms. Since the first days of the european presence on canadian soil, the flags pdf download, 1. Saskatchewan flag description the flag of saskatchewan was officially adopted in 1969. It was the request of the father of our flag the honourable john ross matheson that we ensure credit is provided to each and every individual or group who made it possible to bring a national flag of canada to fruition. Follow this timeline for a brief history of the flags used in canada and learn about some of the major moments in the creation of our national flag.
Letter c flag of canada national canadian flag download here the national canadian flag in a very modern and design view. Therefore, the flag is one of the most important graphic symbols. It is one of the most recognizable flags in the world, and perhaps the. Image description national flag of canada day february 15. Flag experts say that the red ensign was defaced by the coat of arms flag and heraldry experts also call the design of the flag a canadian pale. The green is representative of the forests in northern saskatchewan, and the yellow represents the grain field of the south. The national flag is flown by the government of a country, but can usually also be flown by citizens of the country. The history of the indian flag dates back to preindependence era. Under the leadership of prime minister lester pearson, resolutions recommending the new flag were passed by the house of commons on december 15, 1964, and by the senate. Canada has provided fish, furs and other natural resources to the world since the 1500s.
This is because the white stripe in the middle called a. A stylized red maple leaf is in the center of the square. It was proclaimed the official national anthem on july 1, 1980. The current canadian flag was raised up in 1965 for the first time. Our nation celebrates the anniversary of the flag every year on february 15th. The establishment of the canadian federation in 1867 was not accompanied by the creation of a special flag for the country. The canadian red ensign, which consisted of the canadian coat of arms with the union jack in the upper left corner, was first adopted during the second term of sir john a. The maple leaf flag became canada s flag on 15 february 1965. Feb 15, 2010 for much of canadas postconfederation history, canada flew the british union jack as its national flag, along with the canadian red ensign as an unofficial canadian flag.
As part of our 100 th anniversary celebrations, this friday, june 3 rd, nrc will donate the historic first colourstandardized canadian national flag to the canada science and technology museum his excellency the right honourable david johnston, governor general of canada, will deliver remarks and honour six nrc alumni for their. Prior knowledge of canadian history is not necessary to benefit from the reading. National flag of canada day in 20202021 when, where. Jul 04, 2016 in 1964 the flag committee chose the current flag, designed by george stanley and based on the flag of the royal military college of canada. The colours of the national flag may be worn by the people of a nation to show their patriotism, or related paraphernalia that show. Current flag image by martin grieve, 4 december 2005. It has an 11point red maple leaf canadas national symbol in a broad white center stripe, with a broad vertical red stripe at.
God save the queen remains the royal anthem of canada. The canadian flag, sometimes referred to as the maple leaf, is a true symbol of canada and shows how we love our land by having a maple leaf on the flag. It was between 1904 and 1906 that the first indian. The canadian flag history template example for brochure dd. See coming into force provision and notes, where applicable. The canadian national flag, also known as the maple leaf flag, is flown on many buildings, including private homes on national flag of canada day. Oct 19, 2019 the red and white used in the national flag of canada were proclaimed the official colors of canada in 1921 by king george v.
It was flown for the first time on discovery day, june 24, 1980. Our collection consists of vector files eps, ai, pdf, and svg, images jpg, png. Historical flags and the national flag of canada preface nothing makes the citizens of a nation prouder than. The maple leaf canadian flag officially replaced the original flag of canada the canadian red ensign on february 15, 1965. National flag of canada is a red flag with a white square in its center, inside which is a stylized red maple leaf with 11 points.
This holiday commemorates the first time the canadian national flag was ever flown, on february 15, 1965. Follow this timeline for a brief history of the flags used in canada and learn about. National flag of canada day 1850 canada when is national. On february 15, 1965, the national flag of canada was raised for the first time. This is because the white stripe in the middle called a pale in heraldry was not the usual. Canada flag national flag of canada, leave a comments. The day is marked by flying the flag, occasional public ceremonies, and educational programs in schools. The first national flag of the united states was the continental colors later known as the grand union.