Raising of the Canadian Flag

**Colin** · 15th February 07, 12:53 PM

On this day in 1965, the Canadian Red Ensign, bearing the Union Jack and the shield of the royal arms of Canada, was lowered and then, on the stroke of noon, our new maple leaf flag was raised. The crowd sang the national anthem O Canada followed by the royal anthem God Save the Queen.

It's just about 12:00 noon my time, so I raise a salute to the Canadian Maple Leaf on this day.

There is some great history on the creation of the flag, and the reasons why what we have now was chosen, on this site:
http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/sc-cs/df1_e.cfm

**SnakeEyes** · 15th February 07, 01:06 PM

Thank you very much for posting this Colin, I really appreciate it.

**macwilkin** · 15th February 07, 01:16 PM

Colin,

I will be sure to lift a wee dram this evening to the Canadian Maple Leaf, and our "kith & kin" to the North, and I'll play my CD of the 48th Highlanders of Canada's version of The Maple Leaf Forever:

The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear,
The Maple Leaf forever!
God save our Queen, and Heaven bless,
The Maple Leaf forever!

-- Alexander Muir (from Lanark, Scotland)

Cheers,

Todd

**Dirk Skene** · 15th February 07, 01:14 PM

O' Canada

**Splash_4** · 15th February 07, 01:15 PM

Enjoy raising your dram today folks. Those of us below you in the states celebrate this with you!

**thescot** · 15th February 07, 01:16 PM

Thanks for sharing that with us. I was so young at the time--about 12--I hardly remember the event. I do remember being somewhat confused about the relationship between Canada and the UK, and it took me about 20 years to figure it out. . . I think.

Anway, congratulations.

**The Wizard of BC** · 15th February 07, 01:30 PM

TheScot,

Now that you have figured out the relationship between Canada and the UK, would you please share it with us poor misplaced Americans who happen to live up here in Canada.
No one up here seems to know that there is any differance at all.
Up here they spell things funny like "colour", and the money looks funny and has the Queen on it. And people say things like "Please queue at the next wicket." which translate into Amurican as "Yo, dummy, the line up is at the other window." And then there is that whole metric thing.

But then again, most Americans don't seem to understand that Canada is a different country. I mean we have area codes on our phones. We drive on the right side of the road.
To most Americans it seems the only thing they know about Canada is that in grade school it was the big pink area above the US on the classroom map.

**The Wizard of BC** · 15th February 07, 01:35 PM

So to my adopted Country

Official Lyrics of O Canada!

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

**Mike1** · 16th February 07, 04:59 AM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

So to my adopted Country

Official Lyrics of O Canada!

You mean I am the only one that adds "Drop the puck!!" to the end of those lyrics?

My best pal, who is the owner/driver of the race team I worked for was from London, Ontario. We would race in Canada a couple times times each year. Canada felt pretty much like a second home to me.

**cessna152towser** · 15th February 07, 01:23 PM

Oh for the blue skies of Canada.
Hard to believe its forty years since the new Canadian flag began to appear over here on Air Canada's 'planes.
Here's to Canada.