Interesting facts about Canada's flag as it turns 50

Global News

12 Feb 201502:31

Summary

TLDRThe Canadian flag celebrates its 50th anniversary, marked by a unique history and design process. Known as one of the world's most beautiful flags, it features an 11-point maple leaf, Canada's traditional emblem. Over 2600 designs were considered before the final choice, with a special all-party committee narrowing it down to three finalists. The flag has traveled to space, Mount Everest, and the Olympics, and Canadians can add their names to a waiting list for a flag flown on Parliament Hill. Heritage Canada encourages sharing flag stories using #flag50.

Takeaways

🎉 The Canadian flag is celebrating its 50th birthday.
🏁 The official title of the flag is the 'National Flag of Canada'.
🌍 It's the only national flag in the world featuring a maple leaf.
🎨 Vexillologists consider it one of the world's most beautiful flags.
🍁 The iconic maple leaf has 11 points, but there's no special significance to the number.
📏 Specific standards for fabric, stitching, and grommets are set by the Canadian General Standards Board.
📄 Over 2600 designs were submitted before the final flag was chosen.
🤔 A special all-party flag committee met 41 times to narrow down the choices.
🏛️ A vote in Parliament ultimately decided on the current maple leaf design.
🚩 Canadians can add their names to a waiting list for a flag that was flown on Parliament Hill.
🌐 The flag has traveled to space, Mount Everest, Afghanistan with troops, and the Olympics.

Q & A

What is the official title of the Canadian flag?
-The official title of the Canadian flag is the 'National Flag of Canada'.
What is unique about Canada's national flag among the world's flags?
-Canada's flag is the only national flag in the world with a maple leaf, and vexillologists describe it as one of the world's most beautiful flags.
What is the significance of the 11 points on the maple leaf in the Canadian flag?
-According to Heritage Canada, there is no special significance to the 11 points on the maple leaf. The symbolism lies in the maple leaf itself, which is the traditional emblem of Canada.
What standards were set for the Canadian flag's design?
-Specific standards for the fabric, stitching, and grommets were set by the Canadian General Standards Board in 1966.
How many designs were submitted before the final Canadian flag was chosen?
-More than 2600 designs were submitted before the final flag was chosen.
How many times did the all-party flag committee meet to narrow down the flag designs?
-The all-party flag committee met 41 times to narrow down the choices to three finalists.
Who decided on the final design of the Canadian flag?
-The final design of the Canadian flag was decided by a vote in Parliament.
What is the process for a Canadian resident to get a flag that was flown on Parliament Hill?
-Any Canadian resident can add their name to the waiting list for a Canadian flag that was flown on Parliament Hill by contacting Public Works and Government Services Canada.
How long is the waiting time for a Canadian flag that was flown on Parliament Hill?
-The waiting time for a Canadian flag that was flown on Parliament Hill is long, ranging from 30 to 40 years.
Who is responsible for changing the flag on Parliament Hill?
-The flag master, Robert Leonte, is responsible for changing the flag on Parliament Hill.
What has the Canadian flag been to, as mentioned in the script?
-The Canadian flag has been to space, Mount Everest, with troops in Afghanistan, and to the Olympics. It has also been seen on backpacks around the world thanks to globe-trotting Canadians.
How is the Canadian government encouraging the celebration of the flag's 50th birthday?
-The government is not planning an official celebration for the flag. Instead, Heritage Canada is asking Canadians to share their stories and memories using the hashtag #fflag50.

Outlines

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🇨🇦 Celebrating the Canadian Flag's 50th Birthday

The Canadian flag, officially known as the National Flag of Canada, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The flag features a maple leaf, which is a traditional emblem of Canada, and has 11 points, although there is no special significance to this number. The flag's design and colors have been praised by vexillologists, or flag experts, as one of the world's most beautiful. The Canadian General Standards Board set specific standards for the flag's fabric, stitching, and grommets in 1966. Over 2600 designs were submitted before the final flag was chosen, with a special all-party flag committee meeting 41 times to narrow down the choices to three finalists. The flag has been flown on Parliament Hill and has traveled to various significant locations, including space, Mount Everest, Afghanistan with troops, and the Olympics. Canadians can add their names to a waiting list to receive a flag that has been flown on Parliament Hill, although the wait can be 30 to 40 years. The flag master, Robert Leonte, is responsible for changing the flag on Parliament Hill. The government has been criticized for not planning an official celebration for the flag's milestone, but instead, Heritage Canada is encouraging Canadians to share their stories and memories using the hashtag #fflag50.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Canadian Flag

The Canadian Flag, also known as the Maple Leaf, is the national flag of Canada. It is a symbol of Canada's sovereignty and identity. The flag features a red field with a white square in the center, containing an 11-pointed red maple leaf. The video script discusses the flag's 50th birthday, indicating its adoption in 1965, and its significance as a national emblem.

💡Maple Leaf

The maple leaf is the central symbol on the Canadian flag, representing Canada and its heritage. It has 11 points, and while there is no special significance to the number of points, the maple leaf itself is a traditional emblem of Canada. The video highlights that vexillologists consider Canada's flag one of the world's most beautiful due to its compelling design and color.

💡Vexillologists

Vexillologists are experts in the study of flags, their history, and symbolism. In the context of the video, vexillologists describe the Canadian flag as one of the most beautiful in the world based on its design and color scheme. This term is used to emphasize the importance and recognition of the Canadian flag's design by flag experts.

💡National Flag of Canada

The official title of the Canadian flag is the 'National Flag of Canada.' It is a symbol of national unity and pride. The video script mentions that the flag is celebrating its 50th anniversary, indicating its adoption as the national flag in 1965, replacing the previous flag.

💡Flag Flap

A 'flag flap' refers to a controversy or debate surrounding the selection or design of a flag. The video script alludes to a 'serious flag flap' during the selection process of the Canadian flag, suggesting that there was significant discussion and possibly disagreement among Canadians about the final design.

💡Heritage Canada

Heritage Canada is likely a reference to the Canadian government department or agency responsible for preserving and promoting Canadian heritage, including symbols like the national flag. The video mentions that Heritage Canada provides information about the maple leaf's symbolism and the flag's history.

💡Canadian General Standards Board

The Canadian General Standards Board is mentioned in the script as the entity that set specific standards for the fabric, stitching, and grommets of the Canadian flag. This indicates the importance of maintaining the flag's quality and appearance, as the board's regulations were established in 1966.

💡Flag Master

The 'Flag Master' is a term used in the video to describe the individual responsible for the maintenance and changing of the Canadian flag on Parliament Hill. Robert Leonte is introduced as the Flag Master, adding a personal touch to the role by mentioning his unique fist-pump gesture when changing the flag.

💡Parliament Hill

Parliament Hill is the location of the Canadian Parliament buildings in Ottawa, the capital of Canada. The video script mentions that Canadian residents can have their names added to a waiting list for a Canadian flag that has been flown on Parliament Hill, signifying the flag's connection to the nation's democratic institutions.

💡Public Works and Government Services Canada

Public Works and Government Services Canada is the department mentioned in the script that Canadians should contact to add their names to the waiting list for a flag flown on Parliament Hill. This department is involved in the management of federal infrastructure and services, including the distribution of such commemorative flags.

💡#flag50

The hashtag '#flag50' is used in the video script as a call to action for Canadians to share their stories and memories about the Canadian flag in celebration of its 50th anniversary. This social media campaign encourages public engagement and reflection on the flag's significance.

Highlights

The Canadian flag celebrates its 50th birthday.

The flag's official title is the National Flag of Canada.

It's the only national flag with a maple leaf.

Vexillologists consider Canada's flag one of the world's most beautiful.

The maple leaf has 11 points, but no special significance is attached to the number.

The maple leaf is the traditional emblem of Canada.

There are specific standards for the flag's fabric, stitching, and grommets.

The Canadian General Standards Board set the flag regulations in 1966.

Over 2600 designs were submitted before the final flag was chosen.

A special all-party flag committee met 41 times to narrow down the choices.

Three finalists were presented to Parliament for a vote.

Canadian residents can add their names to a waiting list for a Parliament Hill flown flag.

The flag master, Robert Leonte, changes the flag on Parliament Hill.

The flag has been to space, Mount Everest, Afghanistan, and the Olympics.

The flag has been seen on backpacks around the world.

Heritage Canada asks Canadians to share their flag stories and memories using #flag50.

The government is criticized for not planning an official celebration for the flag's 50th.