National Flag of Canada Day

If Fassnacht isn't enough for you and you need something else to celebrate, why not celebrate National Flag of Canada Day? February 15th commemorates the day, in 1965, that the Canadian maple leaf flag first flew over Parliament Hill in Ottawa (the capital of Canada).


Until 1965, Canada's official flag was the Union Jack (the flag of the United Kingdom), although the Canadian Red Ensign (see below) was sometimes used as a more uniquely Canadian flag. The decision to change the flag was extremely controversial, but today most Canadians are fond of our flag and proud of what it represents!


I have taught a couple of classes on Canada's changing flag, but if you want to know more, you can read about the "Great Canadian Flag Debate" here.