Every province and territory in Canada has its own flag. The one symbol that represents us at home and abroad is the red and white National Flag of Canada.
The Canadian Red Ensign flies at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in Vimy, France.
The maple leaf has been used as an emblem in Canada since the eighteenth century. It has often served to distinguish Canadians abroad, as was the case with Canada’s first Olympians in 1904.
Red and white were proclaimed Canada’s official colours in the proclamation of the Royal Arms of Canada in 1921 by King George V.
Dr. George Stanley, a professor at Royal Military College in Kingston in 1964, suggested a red and white single maple leaf design for the flag because it could be seen clearly from a distance.
Vexillologists (flag experts) often cite the National Flag of Canada as one of the world’s most beautiful based on its simple design and limited number of colours.
In 2005, one of the original maple leaf flags that flew over Parliament on Feb. 15, 1966, was returned to Canada by its owner, Ms. Elisabeth Hoffmann-Lamoureux. The flag was presented to Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson during the Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill.
lolz...i didn't know that either...i had a blanket with maple leaf on it...well, that's the flag i was wrapping myself in...next, i'll have a 'lungi! :D
