The great canadian flag debate or great flag debate was a national debate that took place in 1963 and 1964 when a new design for the national flag of canada was chosen although the flag debate had been going on for a long time prior, it officially began on june 15, 1964, when prime minister lester b. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. The idea of a singleleaf canadian flag was part of the public discussion long before the formal flag debate, and a single leaf had often previously been used to symbolize canada. The flag of canada also called the maple leaf is a red rectangular flag with a white block in the center that features a red maple leaf. Its the maple leafs 50th anniversary as canadas national flag, and an apt time to remember the events surrounding its inauguration.
A flag born in turmoil and bitter debate has fluttered into proud middle age. The canadian flag is result of the contribution of many, extending over a century. Typical were the claims and counter claims made by two canadian books. Great canadian flag debate news newspapers books scholar jstor december. A year later, the maple leaf made its first appearance upon a canadian flag, albeit an. By the 1960s, debate for an official canadian flag intensified and became a subject of controversy, culminating in the great flag debate of 1964. But progress was not made until 1964, a few years before canada s centennial year. You can find out how it started, what it is, and furthermore how it helped to define the country of canada. The debate would rage for more than six months, cause acrimony in the house of commons, unleash an emotional debate among canadians everywhere, and, in the end, do little to unite the country. But in 1964, at the height of great flag debate, the homegrown leaf eked out a narrow victory over the symbols of canada s colonial past.
Search terms must be at least 3 characters in length. The great canadian flag debate the parliamentary debate on canada s proposed flag was lengthy and ugly. The canadian flag debate had a very interesting background and the canadians involvement towards the flag debate was just phenomenal. Canadians born after the poisonous flag debate of 1964 may have little. If you want to celebrate national flag of canada day by learning more about its storied past, including the long debate over its creation and design, check out some of these books in our tpl collections. The drive to estabish a madein canada flag began in the 1920s with prime minister wiliam lyon mackenzie king.
Canada had been an outstanding country for many years but has always lacked one important thing. The remarkable speech and great debate that gave us our flag. The canadian flag, and the debate which was involved in its development, was a very significant part of canadian history and culture. The great canadian flag debate a look back at the great flag debate of 1964. Feb, 2015 as the fiftieth anniversary of the canadian flag approaches, the agenda looks back at the decisions leading to its creation. The story of maple leaf flag and the great flag debate of 1964 to birth of the canadian flag in february 15th 1965 by accomplished writer rick archbold. The man who wrote the book on the flag has no doubt.
While the countrys fate hung in the balance, two largerthanlife antagonists fought for their political lives. Here are a few facts and stories about how it came into the world. The process of choosing the design, was a long one that stirred national debate. Feb 27, 2014 the great canadian flag debate pm pearson at a rcl convention duration. Canada should have a distinctive national flag consisting of a large green maple leaf the color of the house of commons as the national emblem of canada, on a red background the color of the senate without any other emblem of any kind on the fly of the flag.
February 15, 1965 canada s new red and white maple leaf flag is inaugurated in a ceremony on parliament hill. The white stripe is twice the height width of the red ones ratio 1. It is a defaced red ensign, with the royal union flag in the canton and the ontario shield of arms in the fly. My book about canada free 8page symbols of canada booklet. He also believed that the new flag should be unique and not be mistaken or confused with the emblem of. It would be the start of six months of arguing and accusations. The story of our flag annmaureen owens, jane yealland, bill slavin on. Opposition leader john diefenbaker demanded that the flag honour canadas founding races and feature the union jack. The parliamentary debate on canada s proposed flag was lengthy and ugly. A new flag would give canadians a feeling of national identity and unity. The great canadian flag debate pm pearson at a rcl. While he could support a new flag, it must be one that kept the british connection.
Here you will find all the information on the canadian flag debate. What does the maple leaf on the canadian flag represent. Drapeau english february flag committee flag debate flag design flag issue flag of canada flag. The flag debate in australian journal of politics and history vol. He wrote a book promoting his flag, called project of a distinct national flag for canada it seems like most of the submissions.
It has come to a head on a number of occasions, such as the period. The process began in 1895 when heraldry enthusiast edward m. The great canadian flag debate by maya patel on prezi. Pearson proposed his plans for a new flag in the house of commons. I researched the great canadian flag debate because i wanted to find out about how and why the flag which we used today was chosen in order to help my audience understand one of canada s most important cultural symbols. Months of public and parliamentary debate resulted in approval december 1964 of the new maple leaf flag, which became official by royal proclamation on. Has the flag successfully captured the identity of canada and canadians. It took her less than a minute to spot it out on the deck.
Pearson eventually used the rules of closure to limit speeches to 20 minutes and force a vote on december 15, 1964. The great canadian flag debate had now officially begun. It was a debate that lasted almost two years but on february 15, 1965, the maple leaf flag became the national flag of canada. Until the adoption of the maple leaf, canada did not really have a flag of its own. Out of three choices, the maple leaf design by george stanley, based on the flag of the royal military college of canada, was selected. Anley fly breeze 3x5 foot american us flag vivid color and uv fade resistant canvas header and double stitched usa flags polyester with brass grommets 3 x 5 ft. The great flag debate of 1964 climaxed one of the most exciting episodes in canadian history. It was adopted as the national flag of canada in 1965. Yet in the more than 45 years since its birth on february 15, 1965, the redandwhite maple leaf has become indisputably one of the worlds great flags. Canadas maple leaf flag born amid bitter debate the star.
Our canadian flag by maxine trottier and brian deines ages 412. He wrote a book promoting his flag, called project of a distinct national flag for canada it seems like most of the submissions were based on the red ensign, but this is different. In 1964, a committee was formed to resolve the ongoing issue of the lack of an official canadian flag, sparking a serious debate about a flag change to replace the union flag. Kids will learn about the first flags that flew over canada, the countrys loyalty to the british flag and the great flag debate that led to our current flag. But this wasnt just any flag, this was an authentic canadian flag that was actually flown on parliament hill. The great canadian flag debate moments that matter. Opposition leader john diefenbaker demanded that the flag honour canada s founding races and feature the union jack.
Each page has images to colour and simple, fill in the blank sentences to learn about canadian symbols answer keys provided. Dec 11, 2019 the long and often bitter debate over the new canadian flag began in the house of commons on 15 june 1964. The australian flag debate is a periodic question over whether the australian flag should be changed, particularly to remove the union jack from the canton, but also to possibly introduce a completely new design without the southern cross the debate has often arisen in connection with the issue of republicanism in australia. Theres a debate to be had about that debate and whether it represents a great, awful or merely momentous example. The red maple leaf on the canadian flag is a symbol of pride and ambition of the people of canada. Great canadian flag debate history of the canadian flag. Pearsons press conference concerning the new flag, december 1964. The green cedar lebanon cedar in the middle touches each of the red stripes and its width is one third of the width of.
Canada s founding debates is about confederationabout the process that brought together six out of the seven territories of british north america in the years 186473 to form a country called canada. Chadwick recommended to the government that canada should have its own national flag featuring a maple leaf. Did the adoption of maple leaf flag save canada from breaking up. On june 15, 1964, he opened the great flag debate, with extensive historical. Mar 18, 2008 this flag is a result of a big flag debate which took place in 1964 when a new design for the national flag was chosen. Awhile back i heard a friend talking about how they received a free flag from the government of canada. This completely editable booklet has 8 pages of canadian symbols and facts for primary students. When prime minister lester pearson said canada needed a new flag, the suggestions were mixed with protest.
The australian flag debate is a periodic question over whether the australian flag should be changed, particularly to remove the union jack from the canton, but also to possibly introduce a completely new design without the southern cross. The flag of ontario is the provincial flag of ontario, canada. We take a look at the history of the canadian flag, from those used by the first european explorers to the presentday flag. Though pearson had called for a new design and pressured parliament to make a decision, his favored flag. The biggest loser in the great canadian flag debate was the prime minister himself. Jan 25, 2015 the great canadian flag debate had now officially begun. Pearson eventually used the rules of closure to limit speeches to 20 minutes and force a vote on. Plus, free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. This canadian history for kids exclusive, looks at the birth of our great flag. Pearson gained power and decided to adopt an official canadian flag through parliamentary debate. After weeks of parliamentary debate, the flag question was finally referred to a fifteenmember, allparty committee in september 1964 a risky. But in 1964, at the height of great flag debate, the homegrown leaf eked out a narrow victory over the symbols of canadas colonial past.
For nearly 100 years after confederation with a few union jack interludes, canada flew the red ensign, a design. Jan 01, 2003 canada s founding debates is about confederationabout the process that brought together six out of the seven territories of british north america in the years 186473 to form a country called canada. Canada s red maple leaf flag celebrates its 50th anniversary today, the acrimony of its birth long behind it. Rhungift indooroutdoor canada flag 3 x 5, quadruple stitched fly ends,screen printed maple leaf 100d thick polyester canadian flags canada brand drapeau 3x5ft 4. Until the year 1965, canada did not have their own official flag. Advertisment cbc digital archives cbc butterfly logo. This is a copy of the flag proposal put forth in 1939 by ephrem cote. Retrace the events that lead to the creation of the national flag of canada and see. The great canadian flag debate pm pearson at a rcl convention. Because there was a minority parliament, the liberal party could not just pass the bill for a new flag. Theres also alot of fun stuff, like trivia, video clips, pictures and more, so be sure to check around.
Pearson to move forward with a new flag resulted in almost of year of often acrimonious debate. In 1963, the minority liberal government of lester b. The debate has often arisen in connection with the issue of republicanism in australia. Help your kid learn all about canada with these cute books. The national flag of canada was adopted in 1965, two years prior to the centennial of confederation, and has since become a universally recognized emblem. The canadian flag debate was a major controversy to canada because many thought it was about time for canada to have their own flag years after gaining their independence from britain. The great canadian flag debate or great flag debate was a national debate that took place in 1963 and 1964 when a new design for the national flag of canada was chosen. Feb 14, 2015 the idea of a singleleaf canadian flag was part of the public discussion long before the formal flag debate, and a single leaf had often previously been used to symbolize canada. No stranger to controversy, political writer yves engler would strike. Canada s flag canadian icons series by lesley evans ogden ages 38. The long and often bitter debate over the new canadian flag began in the house of commons on 15 june 1964. Pearson that canada would acquire its own national flag prior to the centennial of confederation in 1967. It presents excerpts from the debates on confederation in all of the colonial parliaments from newfoundland to british columbia and in the constituent assembly of the red river colony. The canada wordmark is mandatory on virtually all of the applications mentioned above.
Canada became a country in 1867 but didnt actually get its own flag until 1965. There are several accounts of the maple leaf flag for children. Feb 15, 2020 if you want to celebrate national flag of canada day by learning more about its storied past, including the long debate over its creation and design, check out some of these books in our tpl collections. Its the maple leafs 50th anniversary as canada s national flag, and an apt time to remember the events surrounding its inauguration. The relatively young flag came about a little more than. Canadas flag debate flaps on, 50 years later cbc news. These flags are changed ever weekday and when the new ones go up, the old ones are sent to canadian citizens who have put in a request. Search the worlds most comprehensive index of fulltext books.
This canadian history for kids exclusive, looks at the birth of our great flag it was a debate that lasted almost two years but on february 15, 1965, the maple leaf flag became the national flag of canada. Jul 01, 2008 after weeks of parliamentary debate, the flag question was finally referred to a fifteenmember, allparty committee in september 1964 a risky move, given that twice before in 1925 and again. Slowly but surely, the confederate flag is disappearing from the united states of america. Heated debate took place in 1964 following the promise of prime minister lester b. Dont miss the section on citizens letters to the government.
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