Oh, Canada! Here’s the history of the Canadian flag & the designs that were rejected

February 15th is known as National Flag Day in Canada! It marks the 1965 inauguration of the flag we know and recognize in Canada, but did you know several flags came before the white and red maple leaf design? Let’s dive in.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement on Thursday saying, “Today we celebrate the 59th anniversary of one of our country’s greatest symbols – the National Flag of Canada.”

“On February 15, 1965, the maple leaf was raised on Parliament Hill for the first time. Decades later, the symbol remains central to our identity – embodying the values of peace, diversity, and unity that define us as Canadians.”

The history of the Canadian flag dates all the way back to the 1800s, starting with the Royal Union flag known as the Union Jack.

The Royal Union flag (Union Jack)

According to the Government of Canada, since the first days of the European presence on Canadian soil, the flags of the European homelands, such as France, were displayed in Canada.

Both before and after the Confederation in 1867, Canada used the United Kingdom’s Royal Union Flag, commonly known as the Union Jack. The flags of British North America showcased ties to the British Empire.

The Canadian Red Ensign

Another British flag used in Canada was the Red Ensign.

While it was officially a naval flag used by Canadian ships starting in the 1890s, the Canadian Red Ensign is a combination of the Union Jack and the shield of Canada and had been used unofficially both at sea and on land since the 1870s.

Searching for a new flag

In 1960, Lester B. Pearson, then Leader of the Opposition, declared that he was determined to solve what he called “the flag problem,” an issue he said was critical to defining Canada as an independent country.

A committee was created to help determine what the new flag would be. After considering a few thousand concepts submitted by Canadians, the flag committee shortlisted 3 finalists:

The “Pearson Pennant”

Lester B. Pearson proposed a concept for a new flag featuring a sprig of 3 red maple leaves on a white background bordered by 2 blue stripes. The heraldic expert and artist Alan Beddoe took Pearson’s concept and created the “Pearson Pennant.”

Central maple leaf, the Union Jack, and the historic royal banner of France 

Another concept that was created featured a central maple leaf, the Union Jack, and the historic royal banner of France.

Single maple leaf concept

The single maple leaf concept was proposed by George Stanley, Dean of Arts at the Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston, Ontario.

On October 22, 1964, the committee voted in favour of Stanley’s single-leaf concept and the new maple leaf flag was made official by a proclamation from Queen Elizabeth II on January 28, 1965.

On February 15 of that year, it was inaugurated in a public ceremony on Parliament Hill, now known as National Flag Day in Canada.

Now you know the story of our country’s flag! Happy National Flag Day, Canada!