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The Royal Union Flag, which is also the flag of the United Kingdom, was used as the official flag of Canada until 1965. Various designs of the Canadian Red Ensign were used between 1868 and 1965 but Canada’s Parliament never officially adopted them. The National Flag of Canada’s current design results from a period of discussion, debate and political maneuvering in the early 1960s.
George F.G. Stanley designed the current flag, which is inspired by the Royal Military College of Canada’s flag. The multi-party parliamentary committee formed to select a new flag unanimously chose the design on October 29, 1964. The House of Commons passed the design on December 15, 1964. Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed the new flag on January 28, 1965, and it was inaugurated on February 15 in the same year.
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. Some people wear pins in the form of the flag. Many schools often hold special lessons on the Canadian national flag and its history around this time of the year.
Special public events are held in some years. For example, one million flags were distributed in the "One in a Million National Flag Challenge" in 1996 so Canadians could display them on Flag Day in 1997. Celebrations were held in 2005 for the 40th anniversary of the flag’s inauguration. Some businesses distributed flags or decorated buildings with large versions of the red and white maple leaf flag. There has been a movement to make Flag Day a national statutory holiday recently.
George F.G. Stanley designed the current flag, which is inspired by the Royal Military College of Canada’s flag. The multi-party parliamentary committee formed to select a new flag unanimously chose the design on October 29, 1964. The House of Commons passed the design on December 15, 1964. Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed the new flag on January 28, 1965, and it was inaugurated on February 15 in the same year.
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. Some people wear pins in the form of the flag. Many schools often hold special lessons on the Canadian national flag and its history around this time of the year.
Special public events are held in some years. For example, one million flags were distributed in the "One in a Million National Flag Challenge" in 1996 so Canadians could display them on Flag Day in 1997. Celebrations were held in 2005 for the 40th anniversary of the flag’s inauguration. Some businesses distributed flags or decorated buildings with large versions of the red and white maple leaf flag. There has been a movement to make Flag Day a national statutory holiday recently.