Each country has its own state symbols. First of all, it is a flag and a coat of arms. In order to emphasize the strength, power and freedom of their territory and their people, many countries place images of birds, animals, weapons, defense equipment and military uniforms on these national symbols. There are also states whose emblem and flag are absolutely peaceful. These include Canada. This country is located in North America and borders on the USA in the south . The flag of Canada is easy to recognize from many others. It has a very memorable structure.
Dimensions
The flag of Canada, like many other countries, has a standard size, where the width is half the length. The sign is divided into three parts. The middle half is occupied by a vertical white line, which is two times larger than each of the side ones. Those, in turn, are colored red. At the very center of the white line is a maple leaf with eleven ends. Its color is similar to the shade of the side stripes - it is also red. The national flag of Canada gained its modern look in 1964. Before that, he had to go a long way for changes and additions.
The legacy of the "pioneers"
The history of the flag of Canada began when the leg of the French colonist first stepped on the territory of uncharted land. The land of the country began to divide and the British. At the end of the 15th century, the flag was hoisted for the first time over the vast expanses of the Canadian state. It was the pennant of the English kingdom. It depicted the cross of St. George, traditionally painted in red.
However, even in such a vast territory, the French and British could not find harmony. The struggle for fur production, ponds and forests grew into prolonged military battles. The result of the battles was the northern part of the colony conquered from the British. It was then that a new flag of Canada fluttered over this territory - the pennant of the then ruling Orleans house. On the canvas of the French symbol of power, golden lilies were depicted.
Union Jack and Red Warrant Officer
After some time, in 1620, the territory of the country again became the property of the British Empire. And again, in a peaceful sky before the colonists arrived, their banner was hoisted. The unity, strength, parallel and inextricable development of the country of the American continent and its colonists - that is what the flag of Canada of that time means. This pennant is called the Union Jack. This symbol of English power lasted almost ninety years.
He was replaced by the new flag of Canada. It was a red canvas, in the upper left corner of which was a pennant of Great Britain, and in the right part - a shield. The latter was attended by thumbnails of state symbols of Ireland, England, Scotland and France. It is noteworthy that this banner was the state symbol of the country until the beginning of the twentieth century. Already at that time, Canada was a country (dominion) that was virtually independent of the English throne, although it was under its tutelage. Obtaining almost complete autonomy occurred in 1867, and since then it has been considered the year of the emergence of a new state. “Red flag”, or “Red ensign” - this is the name of this flag of Canada. Photos of the pennant are preserved in many historical guides and military encyclopedias.
National colors of the country
In the early twenties of the 20th century, the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland announced the new state symbol of Canada - a red and white coat of arms. The presence of these colors on an element is by no means accidental. They symbolized the first European countries that became Canadian "pioneers" - France and the UK. Since then, these two colors have become national.
It should be noted that the First World War took place for Canada under the banner of the flag “Union Jack”, and the Second - under the banner of the “Red Ensign”. And every time after the end of hostilities the government had a question about creating its own national symbol of the country.
Committees and their work
In the 25th year of the 20th century, a committee was first created, the main purpose of which was to create its own flag of Canada. However, due to unsatisfactory work, this structure was soon dissolved.
In the second half of the 20th century, the idea arose again to create Canada’s own national flag. For this purpose, a committee was convened again, which included 15 people representing various parliamentary parties. It is noteworthy that not only historians and specialists in heraldry participated in the creation of the flag of the country, but also ordinary people. The government of the country asked its residents to provide their own version of the national symbol of the country. The committee received more than two and a half thousand variants of the flag. Moreover, the proposals came not only from citizens living at that time in the country, but also from Canadians who settled abroad.
Animal theme or sport?
It is worth noting that as a national symbol, it was proposed to put a beaver, a bison, a goose, a clover and even hockey sticks on the flag of the country. However, the most popular was the image of a maple leaf. At the same time, almost every drawing contained a detailed description of the details of the banner. Many people, along with the image of the flag, also sent poems, short stories and historical references. All materials that came to the address of the committee are stored in the National Archives and are part of the country's history.
Creation of a modern state banner
Maple leaf on the flag of Canada was the most common symbol that residents wanted to see on the pennant of the country. The colors used were completely different: from red to yellow. Some images contained twelve leaves, each of which was associated with a separate state - a province.
The main selection criterion was the statement of the then acting Prime Minister of the country, Lester Pearson, that this national symbol should state without words that it belongs to Canada. Therefore, the committee approached this task with all responsibility. Three options were proposed to the Parliament. The first is a variation on the theme of the previous red flag. The second is an image of several maple leaves, and the last is a single version of a leaf of a “syrup” tree. Fifteen days later, the country's Parliament approved the final version of the country's flag. They became a single image of a red maple leaf on a white background with red stripes on the sides.
The role of designers
It is noteworthy that a grandiose work was done on the final version of the banner. At the last stage, designers were involved. They chose exactly that version of the maple leaf, which is depicted on the flag of the country to this day. It is noteworthy that in Canada there are a huge number of different types of maple trees. The national symbol was based on a leaf of a sugar plant. It is from it that the syrup is popular all over the world. Interestingly, the shape of the leaf of this maple tree is different from that shown on the flag: the original has 12 more ends. Why such a runaway?
The reason is this: on a gusting wind, the original 23-leaf sheet merges into one continuous spot, while the image of the symbol with 11 ends is perfectly recognizable even from afar.
Soaring into the sky
On February 15, 1965, the first raising of the country's national flag took place in Ottawa. A huge number of Canadians were present at such a significant event for the state. Before the flag was raised, the school choir sang the country's national anthem, called "Oh, Canada." Solemn speeches were also made.
Some people experienced a slight nostalgia and sadness when lowering the old flag. However, the feeling of sadness quickly gave way to joy when Canada's first national banner of its own soared proudly in the sky.