50th Anniversary of the Canadian Flag

50th Flag AnniversaryOn February 15, Canadians celebrate the 50th anniversary of our flag.

The Canadian Heritage website states that “the official ceremony inaugurating the new Canadian flag was held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on February 15, 1965, with Governor General Georges Vanier, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, the members of the Cabinet and thousands of Canadians in attendance. The following words, spoken on that momentous day by the Honourable Maurice Bourget, Speaker of the Senate, added further symbolic meaning to our flag: ‘The flag is the symbol of the nation’s unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of Canada without distinction of race, language, belief or opinion.’”

Suggestions of activities to celebrate our flag are available on the Ways to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Flag on the Canadian Heritage National Flag Day of Canada page.

Also, teachers can find numerous suggestions for the classroom at Teachers’ Corner.