Today is National Flag of Canada Day. Every year on February 15th, Canadians take a little trip back to 1965, when the red and white maple leaf design was made official. The selection process for a new flag was started by then Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, who mandated a committee with choosing a replacement for the Canadian Red Ensign, which was used as a flag by the government before then.
That makes today the official 53rd anniversary of the red and white maple leaf flag of Canada. The final design, created by George Stanley, was chosen from among over 5,000 designs. Stanley is pictured below with an early prototype of his design.
Source: Thee Westerner (@theewesterner)
Ironically, Stanley’s design was not the preferred design of Lester B. Pearson. The Prime Minister would have preferred this design, known as the “Pearson Pennant”. It features blue sides and a triple maple leaf, as opposed to the single leaf that ended up on the final flag.
Source: Museum of History (@CanMusHistory)
Although the flag was once the subject of heated debate, there is a wide consensus about it today. It is celebrated yearly by federal governments of all allegiances, and is widely recognized around the world. Even though sugar maples only have a natural habitat covering a small portion of Eastern Canada, the red maple leaf has been widely accepted as a symbol for the entire country.
Lastly, have a look at the BIGGEST Canadian flag ever made! It measured 38m x 76m and cost over $15,000 to make, and was unveiled for the Toronto Blue Jays 2015 Home Opener at Rogers Center on April 13, 2015.