Canada’s iconic red-and-white maple leaf flag may be the country’s most recognizable symbol today, but it wasn’t always so ubiquitous.

The Canadian flag has had a rich and storied past which helped mould it into the instantly recognizable and beloved symbol we know today.

With February 15 annually celebrated as National Flag of Canada Day, here’s looking at some fascinating facts about Canada’s national flag on its 60th anniversary.

Questions about the Canadian flag also routinely show up in citizenship tests – so knowing more detail can help newcomers ace the test while also forming deeper connections to their new home.

Canada used other flags before the current National flag

Before adopting the current maple leaf flag, Canada used several different flags, including the Union Jack and the Canadian Red Ensign. The latter was a flag authorized to be flown on Canadian vessels and included the shield of the coat of arms of Canada.

However, as Canada matured as a country, it became increasingly important for the country to have its own flag.

In 1960, Lester B Pearson, politician and former prime minister of Canada, proposed the concept of a new flag. In 1964, a parliamentary committee was created to recommend a national flag.

Fierce arguments over the flag’s design led to the Great Flag Debate

There was fierce debate about what Canada’s national flag would look like that led to a period in 1964 called the Great Flag Debate.

The debate was mostly between those who wished to retain the symbols that tied Canada to its British roots, while others wanted Canada to have its own distinct flag.

Five thousand designs were considered

Around five thousand concept designs were submitted by Canadians and considered by the committee. Of these, three were shortlisted.

The one finally chosen was created by historian George Stanley, who at that time served as the dean of arts at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario.

Stanley’s design was much like the flag we know today: red bars on each side, with a maple leaf in the middle on a white background.

After all the debate, Canada’s red-and-white maple leaf flag was officially raised on February 15, 1965. In 1996, February 15 was declared National Flag Day of Canada.

The maple leaf has a long history in Canada

The maple leaf was chosen to adorn the flag as it has long been used as a symbol of Canada.

It became popular in the 19th century, and was used in popular culture including in books, songs, and banners.

Stanley wrote that he chose a single maple leaf because it has a “virtue of simplicity; it emphasizes the distinctive Canadian symbol; and suggests the idea of loyalty to a single country.”

The maple leaf in Canada’s flag has 11 points

The original design for the maple leaf on the National Flag of Canada had 13 points.

This 13-point design was harder to recognize when the flag was seen from a distance or in windy conditions.

It was simplified to its current 11-point design by artist Jacques St-Cyr to improve clarity.

Canada is the only country to feature a maple leaf on its flag.

Red and white were chosen as flag colours

Red and white also have a long history in Canada, although there’s some debate around precisely why.

Some believe that red and white were approved as Canada’s official colours during the proclamation of the Royal Arms of Canada by King George V in 1921.

Others believe that the origin of the colours evolved from its historical roots, with red associated with England and white with France (which also has red and blue in its flag).

Many have also come to embrace these colours as representative of the natural colours featured in Canada – the white depicting winter snow, and the red depicting autumnal maple leaves.

There is etiquette to flying the national flag

It goes without saying that, given its symbolism, the flag should always be treated with respect.

There is also etiquette involved with flying the National flag. For example, when hung vertically, the flag should always be placed so that the upper part of the leaf points to the left (from the point of view of the observer facing the flag).

The flag has had many historical journeys

The Canadian flag has had some epic travels.

In 1982, Canadian mountaineer Laurie Skreslet carried the national flag to the summit of Mount Everest, the highest point in the world.

In 1984, the flag was launched into space aboard the NASA space shuttle Challenger, accompanying Canada’s first astronaut.

You can request a flag flown on Parliament Hill, but there’s a catch

The Canadian flag on the Peace Tower of Parliament Hill is replaced with a new flag every weekday (except for statutory holidays and during poor weather conditions).

And it’s actually possible to obtain a free Parliament Hill flag.

Canadian residents can request a flag that was flown on Parliament hill by filling in an online form.

That said, the wait time is now more than 100 years.

Canada’s biggest flag was made by a Canadian immigrant

A giant Canadian flag was unveiled in Stanley Park in 2017.

It is 140 metres long and 70 metres high (bigger than the field at BC Place).

The flag was created by Canadian immigrant Zen Zhong Li with the help of family, as he wanted to do something to celebrate his new country.