Today, the flag of Canada flies in celebration of Canada Day, the country’s national holiday! Canada Day celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation, which occurred on July 1, 1867, with the passing of the British North America Act, 1867, when the three separate colonies of the United Canadas, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united into a single dominion within the British Empire called Canada.
Though Canada’s maple leaf flag is ubiquitous today, the design was very controversial when it was selected. After months of debate, consisting of 308 individual speeches, the flag was approved by the House of Commons on December 15, 1964 and by the Senate two days later. Royal Assent was given by Queen Elizabeth II on January 28, 1965. Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper published the book “Flags of Canada” in 2005 which describes the history of the Canadian flag and other historical flags of Canada. Another good history of the Maple Leaf flag is “I Stand for Canada” by Rick Archbold.
The Maple Leaf flag also contained a vexillological innovation, the Canadian Pale. When looking at the flag, the white section in the middle occupies 50% of the flag and the two red stripes occupy 25% each. Previous to the Maple Leaf flag, the general design consensus was that vertical stripes should each occupy one third of the flag. The Canadian Pale has become more popular in the past 60 years.
Also flying are the flags of the Canadian provinces and territories which I am lucky enough to have.
The three flags which I am missing are Manitoba, Northwest Territories, and Yukon.
Cruesbreck Flags 