The Real Day To Celebrate In February

[Maritime Q-Scout]

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.

Yellow isn't a Canadian colour, also the reason why blue wasn't put on the flag.

As for the red being Eastern Canadian, we have yellow maple leaves out here as well, but what we don't have here (or anywhere in Canada for that matter) is the Maple Leaf that actually appears on the flag!

[Clarkey]

The real day to celebrate in February is Steak and BJ day. It's the 21st of Feb I believe.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

The real day to celebrate in February is Steak and BJ day. It's the 21st of Feb I believe.

March 14th my good man, March 14

http://www.steakandbjday.com/

[redforever]

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.

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.

To me, the Canadian flag is beautiful because of it's simplicity. When you try to get too many things in, it simply looks too busy and you also run the risk of getting complaints from those who feel they have been left out.

By the 1960's, Canada was almost a hundred years old. Sure that is very young for a nation but I think it was about time that Canada matured and became it's own country and nation. And to do that, you need your own flag, something that is uniquely and singularily yours alone, that will define you world wide.

And I think we got our money's worth and then some with our Canadian flag. I think it is a shame that some can not feel loyalty any longer simply because the flag has changed.

[IgnitedSoul]

Originally Posted by Russic

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

If they went with the third flag, everyone there would have to turn into Carolina Hurricanes fans.

[icarus]

Good luck finding any maple leaves in Western Canada, yellow or otherwise. Manitoba Maples are all there is, and even they are pretty rare (in Alberta at least). I've seen more maple leaves in London, Cape Town, and Sydney from introduced trees than I have in Calgary.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by icarus

Good luck finding any maple leaves in Western Canada, yellow or otherwise. Manitoba Maples are all there is, and even they are pretty rare (in Alberta at least). I've seen more maple leaves in London, Cape Town, and Sydney from introduced trees than I have in Calgary.

See, now why do we need to have silly arguments about whether or not you find red maple leaves in all parts of Canada? You could have chosen any symbol and pretty well come up with the same silly argument.

We have to learn to accept differences. This is what is chosen. I think it was a terrific choice. I have accepted it as uniquely Canadian and I think it is almost universally recognizable in most parts of the world.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by redforever

To me, the Canadian flag is beautiful because of it's simplicity. When you try to get too many things in, it simply looks too busy and you also run the risk of getting complaints from those who feel they have been left out.

By the 1960's, Canada was almost a hundred years old. Sure that is very young for a nation but I think it was about time that Canada matured and became it's own country and nation. And to do that, you need your own flag, something that is uniquely and singularily yours alone, that will define you world wide.

Totally agree. And while I feel the pain of the person that once saluted a flag that is no longer the official flag of Canada, I also love the fact that Canada decided to create it's own flag that is completely independant of any outside influence.

The Maple Leaf is a thing of beauty when you see it outside the borders of Canada. I love the flag, I love the red (at least it's not blue) and I love the leaf. Maybe we don't get maple trees out here, but I've been to central Canada enough times to know why we slapped it on the flag.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by redforever

See, now why do we need to have silly arguments about whether or not you find red maple leaves in all parts of Canada? You could have chosen any symbol and pretty well come up with the same silly argument.

We have to learn to accept differences. This is what is chosen. I think it was a terrific choice. I have accepted it as uniquely Canadian and I think it is almost universally recognizable in most parts of the world.

Well said. I grew up in the age of ironic detachment, but even I have to admit that the sight of the Canadian flag fills me with a sense of pride. Canada isn't perfect--but it's better than the rest, IMO.