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Canada dicarded the British flag from their flag and replaced it with the distinctive maple leaf. The maple had been used in colonial French Canada along with the beaver to represent Canada. It is interesting that during this time Canada was distancing itself from Britain (and would in 18 years declare independence) and the change of flags to one without the British flag in the corner represents this change in thinking. Were any of you alive for this historic moment? What was it like? Were people angry or was there fanfare? Do you like the new flag or do you prefer the traditional one?
It was February 1965, exciting and a big deal. Many were against it, but everyone came around. I remember the contests to design the new flag, and raising the new flag at school.
It was February 1965, exciting and a big deal. Many were against it, but everyone came around. I remember the contests to design the new flag, and raising the new flag at school.
The die hard Royalists were outraged along with many veterans. The most commonly repeated disclaimer being "I fought for Canada under that flag." or "it was good enough to fight two world wars under."
As you say most, veterans included, came around to embrace the idea and soon referred to the new flag with pride.
A big moment when all RCN ships flags were changed. Imagine the paint and labour required to change out all monograms and plaques etc..
I've never been a fan of the flag. It may have started when I was a kid and we were forced to draw the thing and could never get the maple leaf right (I assume drawing the Red Ensign was something school kids never had to do). Some blue could have been included somehow, too. To be honest I never knew the story behind its selection until a few years ago, and I was dismayed to learn that it was based on the NDP's proposal... I really hope that one day the Red Ensign will be restored.
I've never been a fan of the flag. It may have started when I was a kid and we were forced to draw the thing and could never get the maple leaf right (I assume drawing the Red Ensign was something school kids never had to do). Some blue could have been included somehow, too. To be honest I never knew the story behind its selection until a few years ago, and I was dismayed to learn that it was based on the NDP's proposal... I really hope that one day the Red Ensign will be restored.
A recent CBC news article told about the woman who was asked to sew up the prototype of the new flag. Her Father was a civil servant in a section called Procurement Canada, and he needed it made over night. She went to his office with her Singer portable sewing machine and some scissors, and in about an hour she had it done. The sewing machine is now in the Archives of Canada, as a historical artifact.
There are millions of Canadians alive today...who have never known any other Canadian flag. Any time that I see a group of national flags ( such as out side the UN building in New York City ) I can immediately pick out ours. It does NOT look like any other, and that is a good thing. We are unique , and so is our national flag.
As one of our past PM's used to say ............"Apphy Britday, Canada ". He could murder BOTH official languages, that little guy from Shawinigan. (grin).
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