1965: A Flag to Call Our Own

As Canada approached its centennial year, it was apparent that we needed our own flag. Parliament, however, could not reach an agreement on the design, so the task of finding a national flag was given to an all-party Parliamentary Committee. The committee view thousands of different designs submitted until one was finally selected.

On the day it was first flown, the Canadian Red Ensign, bearing the Union Jack and the shield of the Royal Arms of Canada, was lowered and at the stroke of noon, our new maple leaf flag was raised. The crowd sang the "O Canada", followed by the royal anthem, "God Save the Queen".