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A flag-raising ceremony, a performance by original cast members of the acclaimed Canadian musical, Come From Away, and an ice skating party after the ceremony, there was a lot of celebration to go around.
The flag was celebrated on Feb. 15 in honour of its 60 years of representing Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated on Flag Day to honour the country.
“Sixty years ago today, the Canadian flag was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill. From the First Nations who used the maple tree for its sweet sap and wood to its sightings on helmets and coins in the 19th Century and for generations ever since,” Trudeau said.
“The Maple Leaf has long been an emblem of Canadian identity and unity,” he said.
The National Flag was created by the late George Stanley on March 23, 1964. It was then made official with a proclamation from Queen Elizabeth II in 1965.
The flag debuted on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Feb. 15, 1965. Canada celebrated its 100th birthday in 1967, and the new flag was displayed to the world at Expo ‘67.
National Flag of Canada Day was officially declared on Feb. 15, 1996.
The maple leaf on the flag was created before the original flag was released to the world. The symbol was first created in 1834.
Trudeau said the importance of the flag that represents us across the world.
“The flag symbolizes Canada’s breathtaking beauty, the white of winter snow and the red of autumn maple leaves,” he said.
“It exemplifies our dreams and sacrifices; our hard work and our unyielding ambition to grow. It is an invocation of pride for Canadians who have hailed from every corner of the globe to forge a nation with a unique identity worth embracing and celebrating,” Trudeau said.
Canadian-born Peg Lahn said flag day falls on her birthday, but never really acknowledged it, but felt it was important to be heard this year.
“So, the flag is older than I am, I’m still happy to say, so I was always aware, but it was never a thing. It was just on the calendar that it was flag day, and I never celebrated but this year it seemed important to come out and wave the flag,” she said.
Lahn said she loves the direction the country is going and hopes it continues because a few years ago she did not feel safe.
“With a different spirit, like two years ago waving the flag felt a lot different and scarier, and that’s not the case right now, so I’m loving that,” she said.
Lahn’s partner, Anita Young said on the other hand, she has never been into learning the country’s history, but the recent threats from the United States changed that and she came to the event in support.
“I guess I’ve never had a nationalist pride, but feeling this threat from the States, I think we have to take it seriously and really commit to us as people together on this land,” she said.
Young said there have been a lot of crazy things happening in the past couple of years and it's time for the citizens of this country to be nice to each other.
“I’ve noticed coming out of COVID, there’s been a lot of short tempers in the city all around, and I really think its time to reboot that and to just be kind again,” she said.
Young said she attended the flag ceremony because all she wants to see in the world is peace and love.
“We should reach down and really feel what’s important in life and to put other people before ourselves and we should do this as a nation, and this is why I’m out today,” she said.
Interesting facts about the Canadian Flag:
One unique aspect of the Canadian flag is that it is the only national flag in the world to feature a leaf as its central emblem. The iconic maple leaf on the Canadian flag features eleven pointed tips. The flag’s bold red and white colours are deeply symbolic, representing Canada’s national identity.
The Canadian flag’s design follows a precise ratio. Its length is twice its width.
The design is divided into three equal parts, with the white square featuring the maple leaf occupying the central section, while the two red bars on either side take up the remaining space.
