Canada’s flag turns 50
Posted Feb 15, 2015 11:19 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
On February 15th, 50 years ago, Canada’s national flag as we know it, was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill.
The date in 1965 marks the anniversary when the red and white maple leaf design was made official by royal proclamation.
Its components, however, were in the making much earlier.
The maple leaf symbol itself was used by Canadians representing the country since the mid-18th century and King George V had already proclaimed Canada’s official colours to be red and white back in 1904.
Putting the pieces together was the design of Professor George Stanley, who grew up in Calgary. He based on the flag of the Royal Military College of Canada. That inspiration featured a much more intricate three leaf design.
Fast forward five decades, and people are sharing their pictures and thoughts on the flag online with the #flag50.
