Interesting facts about Canada's flag as it turns 50

Summary

The 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.