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Flags Mart Posting Page
Sunday, February 17, 2008
![]() National Canada Flag Size: 3'x5' most popular size The National Flag of Canada, popularly known as the Maple Leaf and l'Unifolié (French for "the one-leafed") , is a base red flag with a white square in its centre featuring a stylized, 11-pointed, red maple leaf. Before this flag, Canada used variants of the British Red Ensign with the shield of Canada charged in the fly. The Red Ensign that took familiar shape in Canada was introduced by Prime Minister Mackenzie King after the First World War. From the 1940s until 1965, Canada made several attempts to create its own flag by holding national contests, but the Red Ensign still flew for Canada. A serious debate about a flag change did not occur until 1964, when a committee was picked by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. Out of three choices, the maple leaf design by George F.G. Stanley was chosen as the winner. The flag made its first appearance on February 15, 1965, which is now celebrated annually as Flag Day. Capital: Ottawa Largest City: Toronto Official languages: English, French Status: world's second largest country by total area Anthem: "O Canada" Motto: A Mari Usque Ad Mare (Latin) "From Sea to Sea" Origin of the Name: The name Canada comes from a St. Lawrence Iroquoian word kanata, meaning "village" or "settlement." In 1535, inhabitants of the present-day Quebec City region used the word to direct explorer Jacques Cartier toward the village of Stadacona. Cartier used the word 'Canada' to refer to not only that village, but the entire area subject to Donnacona, Chief at Stadacona. By 1545, European books and maps began referring to this region as Canada. Related topics US State Flags America Flag Canada Flag Rebel Flag Historical Flag by: Flags Mart |
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