Did you know that maple leaf was not always a part of the Canadian flag? 

We are all proud of our country’s flag and what it symbolizes, isn’t it? And this is true for the citizens of every country. While most flags have stripes, stars, and other elements, the national flag of Canada stands out as one of the most striking one due to its maple leaf.  But did you know that it wasn’t always a red and white maple leaf flag? You might be surprised that Canada's flag is very young and has quite a colorful story.  

The search for a national flag for Canada began in the late 19th and early 20th century. The flag we see today was born out of the significant social transformations that occurred between 1950s and 1960s in the lead-up to the 100th anniversary of Confederation in 1967. Confederation is a process in which the Dominion of Canada federation was formed by the union of Province of Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in 1867. Let’s look at the history of this flag. 

Canadian flag in the early days 
During the early days of European settlement, the flags of the European homelands like France were used in Canada. Canada had adopted the Royal Union Flag of the United Kingdom, also known as the Union Jack, both before and after Confederation in 1867. 

The Red Ensign was another British flag that combined the Union Jack with the Canadian shield. The Canadian shield, also known as Coat of Arms, represents the four founding countries of Canada —England, Scotland, Ireland, and the Kingdom of France. Each of these makes up the four quarters of the shield. Initially, in the 1870s, it was unofficially used in Canada at sea and on land, and was later recognized as a national symbol. By 1890, it was officially declared as the naval flag for Canadian ships. However, other flag variations featured additional components like beavers, crowns, and wreaths made of maple leaves. As other provinces joined the Confederation, the shield was changed to include the arms of various provinces. During World War I, the Canadian Red Ensign rose to prominence as a national patriotic symbol.  

The search for a new, distinctive flag 
The need to develop uniquely Canadian symbols to represent Canada increased as it matured as an independent nation. In 1921, after King George V granted Canada the Royal Arms, the Canadian Red Ensign now took on the shield of Canada's new official Coat of Arms. Canada was represented by Canadian Red Ensign during the World War II. However, many Canadians desired a new, distinctive flag to represent them. Two attempts were made to redesign the Canadian national flag, in 1925 and 1946. However, Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King shelved the projects on both occasions out of concern of sparking political unrest. The Canadian government continued to fly the Canadian Red Ensign from its buildings while maintaining the Union Jack as its national flag. 

The designing of a new flag 
The newly elected prime minister of Canada in 1963, Lester B. Pearson pledged to choose a new flag in time for Canada's centennial celebrations in 1967.  

First, Pearson suggested a flag with a sprig of three red maple leaves, resembling those in the country's Coat of Arms, on a white background framed by two blue stripes. Designed by heraldic expert Alan Beddoe, the design is today popularly known as the Pearson Pennant. The Members of Parliament vehemently rejected it in 1964. Instead, a legislative committee was formed, and given six weeks to develop a national flag design.  

George Stanley, dean of arts at Kingston, Ontario's Royal Military College (RMC), put forth one of the more well-liked designs that the committee considered. Stanley suggested a design that featured a single, stylized red maple leaf on a white backdrop with two red borders. In 1964, the parliament authorized George's design as the Canadian National Flag. It was hoisted for the first time on February 15, 1965, following ratification by a royal proclamation from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on January 28, 1965. 

Why was a maple leaf used? 
Even though the design was brand new, the flag featured maple leaf, a well-known symbol with a long history of use in Canada. It represented pride, bravery, and loyalty for many people. It has been a symbol of Canadian identity for many generations, but it wasn't until the World War I, when men of the Canadian Imperial Army wore it as a cap badge, that it truly became the nation's symbol.