Flag Day of Canada
Description:
As you can see, the maple leaf, with which Canada is associated, probably, most of the inhabitants of the Earth, settled on the Canadian flag relatively recently.
In the first decades of the development of the settlers of Canada (from the end of the XV century to the 1520s), the flag of this territory was the English flag with the image of the cross of St. George. Later, when the northern lands of the American continent became the possession of the King of France, the flag of the French Orléans dynasty with royal lilies was used.
In the 1620s, Canada again came under British influence and used its flag as its flag. In 1707, the flag of Canada became the Red Ensign (red naval flag with the British flag in the canton), later renamed the Canadian Red Ensign. This flag continued to serve as a "calling card" Canada even after the formation of the dominion in 1867: it was used by Canadians until the middle of the XX century, despite the fact that since the formation of the confederation, Canada 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.
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 coat of arms, which included both of these colors, symbolizing, respectively, England and France. A new coat of arms was added to the Red Ensign flag in 1924, and the combined flag was recognized as the official flag of Canada on January 26, 1924. Under this flag, Canadians fought in World War II.
The official commission for the development of its own national flag was created in Canada in 1925, and after the end of the Second World War, the question of an unborrowed, unique flag of the country that would represent Canada, regardless of its dependence on the British flag, became especially acute. But it wasn't until 1964, three years before Canada's 100th birthday, that Prime Minister Lester Pearson organized a 15-member "flag committee" to find a distinctive design for the future Canadian flag that would not confuse it with any other country's flag.
The National Flag Act was passed by the House of Commons of the Canadian Parliament on December 15, 1964, after lengthy debate. Disagreement was caused by the fact that the original sugar maple leaf (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 the Canadian territory, this type of maple is not found almost at all. After 15 days of lively discussions, Maple Leaf still received an overwhelming majority of votes, now in Parliament. Three days later, the Senate sent a motion to the Queen, and on December 31, 1964, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain (and Canada) expressed her highest approval. Canada received its own flag, which was first raised on February 15, 1965.
The flag is made in two colors - red and white, and with a ratio of its sides 2: 1, it represents three vertical different stripes. 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 side reds and has the shape of a square.
This composition of the flag symbolizes the two oceans, on both sides washing the shores of Canada – the 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. 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 of birth of perhaps the world’s most recognizable flag: “...a simple-to-design, Canadian flag reflects the shared values our country holds dear, 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 us consider it a privilege to live in Canada, a magnificent country that holds our history, our hopes, our future.