# flag of Canada

> national flag of Canada

**Wikidata**: [Q80110](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q80110)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Canada)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/flag-of-canada

## Summary
The flag of Canada is the national flag of Canada, featuring a red maple leaf on a white background with red borders, officially adopted on February 15, 1965. It was designed by George Stanley, a Canadian historian, and represents a triband design with a central red maple leaf and wider side red bands. The flag replaced the Canadian Red Ensign and is a symbol of Canadian national identity.

## Key Facts
- The flag of Canada is a triband flag featuring a red maple leaf in a white central band flanked by two red bands.
- It was officially adopted on **February 15, 1965**.
- It is also known by the aliases: **Canadian flag**, **Maple Leaf Flag**, and **Canada flag**.
- The flag succeeded the **Canadian Red Ensign**, which was in use from 1868 until 1965.
- The flag is classified as a **triband** (three-band flag) and uses a **Canadian pale** design, where the center band is wider than the outer bands.
- It was created by **George Stanley**, a Canadian historian.
- The flag has 78 sitelinks, indicating its strong presence in online knowledge repositories.
- The flag is described in Wikidata as the **national flag of Canada**.
- The flag is categorized under the class **national flag**.

## FAQs
### When was the flag of Canada officially adopted?
The flag of Canada was officially adopted on **February 15, 1965**, replacing the previous flag, the **Canadian Red Ensign**, which had been in use since 1868.

### What does the flag look like?
The flag is a **triband design** featuring a red maple leaf centered on a white field, flanked by red bands. It is a classic example of a **Canadian pale** layout, where the central band is wider than the outer bands.

### Who designed the flag of Canada?
The flag was designed by **George Stanley**, a **Canadian historian**. His design was selected for its simplicity and distinct national symbolism.

### What is the significance of the flag's design?
The design reflects a **Canadian pale**, a specific type of triband flag where the center section is visually dominant, symbolizing the unity of the nation with the red borders representing the country's coasts and the central white space symbolizing peace and neutrality.

## Why It Matters
The flag of Canada is the official national symbol of the country, representing its sovereignty and identity on the global stage. It replaced the **Canadian Red Ensign**, which had served as the de facto national flag since 1868. The new flag was introduced to reflect a more unified and modern national identity, moving away from the previous flag's colonial design. Its adoption marked a significant cultural and political shift toward a distinct Canadian identity, separate from British symbols. The flag also plays a central role in national pride, especially during events like the 1976 Montreal Olympics and various international celebrations of Canada Day.

## Notable For
- Being the official **national flag of Canada** since 1965.
- Replacing the **Canadian Red Ensign**, which was in use since 1868.
- Featuring a **triband** design with a **Canadian pale** layout, where the center band is wider.
- Designed by **George Stanley**, a **Canadian historian**.
- Symbolizing a distinct national identity through its unique red and white design.
- Representing a political and cultural shift in 1965, when it was officially adopted.

## Body

### History
The flag of Canada was officially adopted on **February 15, 1965**, replacing the **Canadian Red Ensign**, which had been used since 1868. The change marked a significant moment in Canadian history, symbolizing a shift from colonial symbols to a more independent national identity. The new flag was designed to represent all of Canada, not just its British heritage, and was intended to be a unifying national symbol. The design was selected through a national competition, with **George Stanley**, a Canadian historian, credited as the creator of the winning design.

### Design and Symbolism
The flag is a **triband** design, with a red maple leaf centered on a white field, flanked by red borders. This design is a **Canadian pale**, where the central band is wider than the outer bands, emphasizing the maple leaf as the central national symbol. The red and white colors are specified in the flag's design, with the reds symbolizing the country's coasts and the white representing peace and neutrality. The flag's design is both simple and symbolic, aligning with the modernist design principles of the 1960s.

### Creation and Adoption
The flag was designed by **George Stanley**, a **Canadian historian**, and was selected for its representation of national unity. The design was adopted by the Canadian Parliament after a national debate on replacing the **Canadian Red Ensign**. The flag was chosen to reflect a new national identity, moving away from the colonial symbolism of the previous flag.

### Related Flags and Symbols
The **Canadian Red Ensign** preceded the current flag of Canada and was used from 1868 until 1965. It featured the Union Jack in the upper left corner and the shield of the coat of arms, which was seen as too colonial by mid-20th century standards. The current flag replaced it to reflect a more inclusive and independent Canadian identity.

### Cultural Impact
The flag of Canada plays a central role in national celebrations, such as **Canada Day** and the **1976 Montreal Olympics**, where it was prominently displayed. It has become a symbol of national pride and unity, especially during international events. The flag is also a powerful symbol of identity during domestic celebrations, such as **Remembrance Day** and **Victoria Day**.

### Legacy and Influence
The flag of Canada is a symbol of national identity, unity, and pride. It has influenced the design of other national symbols and is a key part of Canada's cultural identity. The flag is also a symbol of political independence, reflecting Canada's evolution from a dominion to a fully sovereign state. Its design is now recognized internationally and is a key part of Canada's soft power and diplomatic identity.

### Notable People and Entities
- **George Stanley**, the **Canadian historian** who designed the flag, is notable for creating a symbol of national unity.
- The flag is part of the **triband** class of flags, specifically a **Canadian pale**, where the center band is wider than the outer bands.
- The flag is also part of the class of **national flags**, which includes 66 sitelinks, indicating its global recognition.

### Design Specifications
The flag is a **triband** design with a **Canadian pale** layout, where the central white band is wider than the outer red bands. The design emphasizes the maple leaf, a symbol of peace and neutrality, and reflects the country's values of unity and peace. The flag is a symbol of Canada's independence and sovereignty, and its design is protected under the **National Flag of Canada Act**.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/flag-canada-history.html#a5)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. BBC Things
4. BabelNet
5. Name Suggestion Index