Showing posts with label Canadian Flag. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canadian Flag. Show all posts

The History of the Canadian Flag

The History of the Canadian FlagThe current Canadian flag has only two colors, red and white. These were the official colors appointed by King George V in 1921. The flag has vertical stripes which are on the left and right sides and cover about one fourth of the flag. The center is white and has a stylized eleven point maple leaf. Canadians call this flag the "Maple Leaf flag". This is the only flag many Canadians, who were born after 1964, have known throughout the whole of their lives.

In 1964 the Canadian government decided to adopt a new and distinctive national flag. This endeavor has the appearance of the impossible dream. The sentiments of Canadians were hardly uniform. Canadians were divided among demographic and ethnic lines. English Canadians born before World War II wanted the flag to retain a visible symbol of Canada's British heritage. French Canadians were opposed to retaining colonial symbols such as the Union Jack. One third of the Canadians were neither French or British stock and they want a flag which is uniquely Canadian. Younger Canadians, who were born after World War II, were likely to select something new and different. They wanted something which symbolized a clean break from the past.

A House of Commons Committee was established to review potential designs for the new flag. Several designs were proposed, but three designs were presented to the committee for final approval. The three designs consisted of the following:

1. A flag with a red ensign with the fluer-de-lis and the Union Jack
2. A flag with three maple leaves between two blue borders
3. The current red and white flag design with the single maple leaf.

Canada's Flowers Flag

Canada's Flowers FlagLike other countries, Canada chooses official flowers to represent both the nation and each of its provinces. These are flowers generally indigenous to each province and are chosen for their beauty and significance to each region. Canada's lush, sweeping landscapes and high rainfalls make the country ideal for growing many lovely flowers.

Canada's Flowers FlagThe official flowers for each province are:

- Alberta: Wild Rose: The perfect choice for Alberta's wild plains, the wild rose was officially chosen in 1930 by schoolchildren and grows all over Canada.

- British Columbia: Pacific Dogwood. The Pacific Dogwood was chosen in 1956 and blooms in April and May.

- Manitoba: Prairie Crocus. Manitoba voted on the Crocus in 1906 and it blooms in early spring every year, often before the snow has completely melted.

- New Brunswick: Purple Violet. The beautiful, dark flower is usually found in forests and is common in New Brunswick. It become the official flower in 1936

- Newfoundland/Labrador: Pitcher Plant. Chosen in 1954, the pitcher plant looks like a pitcher.

- Ontario: White Trillium: Ontarians decided the Trillium was their flower of choice and made it official in 1937 and is in season in spring.