Canada's Maple Leaf Flag Flew for the First Time in 1965

At precisely noon on February 15, 1965, thousands of Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa to witness history. As the Canadian Red Ensign was lowered for the final time, a bold new flag rose to take its place: a simple red and white design with a distinctive 11-pointed maple leaf at its center. After nearly 100 years as a nation, Canada finally had a flag that was uniquely its own.

The journey to that moment had been anything but peaceful. For months, Canadians had engaged in what became known as the Great Canadian Flag Debate, one of the most contentious discussions in the country's parliamentary history. The debate wasn't just about design—it was about identity, heritage, and what it meant to be Canadian.

The Flag That Almost Wasn't

Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson promised during the 1963 election that Canada would have a new flag within two years. What seemed like a straightforward pledge turned into a political firestorm. Traditionalists wanted to keep ties to Britain visible through the Union Jack. Veterans groups argued that changing the flag dishonored those who fought under the Red Ensign. Others saw the new flag as essential for Canadian unity and independence.

Parliament debated for 33 days straight. Over 2,000 flag designs were submitted by Canadians from coast to coast. Some featured beavers, some had multiple maple leaves, others incorporated provincial symbols. The final design—created by George Stanley and John Matheson—won because of its simplicity and bold visual impact.

Why Eleven Points?

The maple leaf on Canada's flag has exactly 11 points, but not for any symbolic reason. Designer George Stanley chose this particular stylized maple leaf simply because it looked good and was easy to recognize from a distance. The number doesn't represent the provinces, the points of a compass, or any hidden meaning—it's pure design pragmatism.

The colors, however, were deliberate. Red and white had been Canada's official colors since 1921, proclaimed by King George V. The design is one of only two national flags in the world with just two colors (the other is Indonesia's).

A Symbol Born from Compromise

The flag's adoption marked a turning point in Canadian identity. It represented a nation stepping out from Britain's shadow while respecting its past. Queen Elizabeth II herself proclaimed the flag official on January 28, 1965, creating a bridge between Canada's history and its independent future.

Today, February 15 is celebrated as National Flag of Canada Day. The original flag raised that day in 1965 is preserved in the Canadian War Museum. The maple leaf has become one of the world's most recognizable national symbols—a quiet revolution that started with a flag flying over Ottawa on a cold February afternoon.