The Real Day To Celebrate In February

[Maritime Q-Scout]

HAPPY FLAG DAY EVERYONE ! ! !


The Canadian Flag first rose on February 15, 1965 and then it became a national (unfortunately, non-statutory) holiday in 1996.

From Newfoundland to British Columbia, and all places in between (including Alberta nad Nova Scotia) be sure to wish everyone you meet a Happy Flag Day!

[redforever]

Thx for reminding. And it is the most beautiful flag in the world. It is hard to fathom now that back when Lester Pearson and his gov't were introducing our own flag to its citizens, well, many of the citizens were outraged and wanted to keep the Union Jack!!!

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by redforever

Thx for reminding. And it is the most beautiful flag in the world. It is hard to fathom now that back when Lester Pearson and his gov't were introducing our own flag to its citizens, well, many of the citizens were outraged and wanted to keep the Union Jack!!!

Hey now, for King and Country I'd keep it!

Let's not forget Canada's British roots; I think it's quite easy to forget our rich history when we're blossoming as a cultural mosaic.

[octothorp]

Settle down Steven Harper, he said Flag Day.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by redforever

Thx for reminding. And it is the most beautiful flag in the world. It is hard to fathom now that back when Lester Pearson and his gov't were introducing our own flag to its citizens, well, many of the citizens were outraged and wanted to keep the Union Jack!!!

Not for long . . . Kosovo is changing their flag and it's down to three finalists. go sega dreamcast logo flag!

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by redforever

Thx for reminding. And it is the most beautiful flag in the world. It is hard to fathom now that back when Lester Pearson and his gov't were introducing our own flag to its citizens, well, many of the citizens were outraged and wanted to keep the Union Jack!!!

It wasn't actually the Union Jack that was Canada's flag prior to 1965, it was the Red Ensign, which incorporated the Union Jack into it (upper left corner). The exception to this was the Canadian Navy, which flew the Blue Ensign. The Red and Blue Ensigns were unique flags, flown only by Canada.

There were some valid reasons why people didn't want the new flag too, or rather, why they wanted to keep the Red Ensign. My father was one who opposed the change on the grounds that when he fought in WW II he swore allegiance to the flag (Red Ensign) and the power of that symbolism meant a lot to WW I and WW II veterans. He was loyal to the flag, and by changing the flag he felt the "flag" (read, government) was being disloyal to him and diminishing the fact he put his life on the line for his country and government, which to him was symbolized by the flag.

As I recall, the real reason for getting rid of the Red Ensign was to get rid of the Union Jack that was contained within it to appease anti-Crown sentiments in Quebec.

Personally, I don't really care, although I question why yellow wasn't somehow incorporated into the new flag. Red maple leafs are an Eastern Canadian symbol. In the West, maple leafs are yellow. It would have been nice if this had been recognized by the new flag ... maybe a yellow maple leaf and a red leaf combined in the middle of the flag or something.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Russic

Not for long . . . Kosovo is changing their flag and it's down to three finalists. go sega dreamcast logo flag!

Bwahahahaha!! YES! Now they just need a huge Sonic the Hedgehog to great people at the airport!

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Russic

Not for long . . . Kosovo is changing their flag and it's down to three finalists. go sega dreamcast logo flag!

Lmao! Why don't we just put the Sonic Team logo while we're at it!

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

It wasn't actually the Union Jack that was Canada's flag prior to 1965, it was the Red Ensign, which incorporated the Union Jack into it (upper left corner). The exception to this was the Canadian Navy, which flew the Blue Ensign. The Red and Blue Ensigns were unique flags, flown only by Canada.

There were some valid reasons why people didn't want the new flag too, or rather, why they wanted to keep the Red Ensign. My father was one who opposed the change on the grounds that when he fought in WW II he swore allegiance to the flag (Red Ensign) and the power of that symbolism meant a lot to WW I and WW II veterans. He was loyal to the flag, and by changing the flag he felt the "flag" (read, government) was being disloyal to him and diminishing the fact he put his life on the line for his country and government, which to him was symbolized by the flag.

As I recall, the real reason for getting rid of the Red Ensign was to get rid of the Union Jack that was contained within it to appease anti-Crown sentiments in Quebec.

Personally, I don't really care, although I question why yellow wasn't somehow incorporated into the new flag. Red maple leafs are an Eastern Canadian symbol. In the West, maple leafs are yellow. It would have been nice if this had been recognized by the new flag ... maybe a yellow maple leaf and a red leaf combined in the middle of the flag or something.

Prof. Olsen from my Hist. 361 class, is that you?? Haha seriously thats like word for word how my professor put it last semester. I was going to mention some of the same things you did, but it looks like you got er all covered.

[FireFly]

I always thought the day to celebrate in February was Family Day.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by redforever

Thx for reminding. And it is the most beautiful flag in the world. It is hard to fathom now that back when Lester Pearson and his gov't were introducing our own flag to its citizens, well, many of the citizens were outraged and wanted to keep the Union Jack!!!

I recall the controversy at the time. Some in western Canada, who preferred keeping the Union Jack, were saying the new flag reminds them of a bloody hankerchief.

Personally, I would have preferred a blue border, symbolizing "sea to sea". However, with time I have gotten used to the red border and agree that it is a very beautiful flag.

[Flamesguy_SJ]

Originally Posted by FireFly

I always thought the day to celebrate in February was Family Day.

That's only in a few provinces, isnt it? Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan...can't think of the other.

EDIT: Fourth one is Manitoba.

[Torture]

I thought this was going to be a thread about International That's What She Said Day.

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by Flamesguy_SJ

That's only in a few provinces, isnt it? Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan...can't think of the other.

EDIT: Fourth one is Manitoba.

Well, I think it's something every province should celebrate. I think Family Day should celebrate all families in Canada, no matter what they look like. You know who your families are. Celebrate with them all across the country.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Prof. Olsen from my Hist. 361 class, is that you?? Haha seriously thats like word for word how my professor put it last semester. I was going to mention some of the same things you did, but it looks like you got er all covered.

Nope ... I'm no professor. I've got a real job.

Porfessor Olsen probably just had a WW II vet for a dad like I did and he grew up steeped in the same tradition. I figured the old boy had a good point and, like most history, the reality of the affair is getting lost over time. Revisionist history becomes the real history unless people make an effort to set the record straight. Actually, revisionist history pretty much always triumphs in the end, so what's the point in fighting it I guess.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

Nope ... I'm no professor. I've got a real job.

Porfessor Olsen probably just had a WW II vet for a dad like I did and he grew up steeped in the same tradition. I figured the old boy had a good point and, like most history, the reality of the affair is getting lost over time. Revisionist history becomes the real history unless people make an effort to set the record straight. Actually, revisionist history pretty much always triumphs in the end, so what's the point in fighting it I guess.

The fight is worth it to preserve it as long as you can.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Torture

I thought this was going to be a thread about International That's What She Said Day.

WHAT?!! And nobody told me?!! I've got a lot of catching up to do.

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I've got a lot of catching up to do.

That's what she said!!

[the crispy badger]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

HAPPY FLAG DAY EVERYONE ! ! !


The Canadian Flag first rose on February 15, 1965 and then it became a national (unfortunately, non-statutory) holiday in 1996.

From Newfoundland to British Columbia, and all places in between (including Alberta nad Nova Scotia) be sure to wish everyone you meet a Happy Flag Day!

The man who came up with the flag design Dr George Stanley was a resident of my hometown Sackville NB before he passed on..my grandmother is his housekeeper and looks after his elderly wife, she's a very nice VERY rich woman.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by FireFly

Well, I think it's something every province should celebrate. I think Family Day should celebrate all families in Canada, no matter what they look like. You know who your families are. Celebrate with them all across the country.

I think they all celebrate it, each province just calls it their own thing. For instance, it's also a holiday in B.C., but they call it "B.C. Day".