At the stroke of noon on February 15, 1965, Canada’s red and white maple leaf flag was raised for the very first time on Parliament Hill. On the same day in 1996, National Flag of Canada Day was declared.
Did you know?
National Flag of Canada Day was officially proclaimed on February 15, 1996.
Canada is the only country with a maple leaf on its flag.
The maple leaf has been used historically as a decorative and ornamental symbol in Canadian art, medals, badges and coat of arms. It has often served to distinguish Canadians abroad.
The stylized maple leaf on the flag has eleven points.
Red and white are the national colours of Canada.
The Canadian flag is twice as long as it is wide. The white square and its maple leaf make up half the surface of the flag equal to the two red bars combined.
Vexillologists (flag experts) often cite the National Flag of Canada as one of the world's most beautiful based on its compelling design and measured use of colour.
Every province and territory in Canada has its own flag. The one symbol that represents us all at home and abroad is the red and white National Flag of Canada.
In 1984, the Canadian flag reached new heights when it was launched into space on the flight along with the first Canadian astronaut on the NASA space shuttle Challenger.
The role of flag-bearer for Canadian teams attending international sporting events is a special honour for those representing Canada as these events.
When the National Flag flies along with the flags of the 10 provinces and three territories, the flags of the provinces and territories follow in the order that they entered Confederation.
For those years when multiple provinces entered Confederation, their flags are arranged by size of population at time of entry. The order of precedence is therefore as follows: Ontario (1867), Quebec (1867), Nova Scotia (1867), New Brunswick (1867), Manitoba (1870), British Columbia (1871), Prince Edward Island (1873), Saskatchewan (1905), Alberta (1905), Newfoundland and Labrador (1949), Northwest Territories (1870), Yukon (1898) and Nunavut (1999).
Our national flag is a symbol that unites Canadians and reflects the common values we take pride in — democracy, inclusion and equity.
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