1965When do Canadians observe the National Flag of Canada Day?
Canadians observe National Flag of Canada Day every year on February 15th, marking the date in 1965 when the Maple Leaf Flag was first raised and the Canadian Red Ensign was officially retired. This day not only commemorates the adoption of a now-iconic national symbol but also highlights Canada's commitment to unity and remembrance, with ceremonies held from Charlottetown to Ottawa and beyond. One particularly poignant celebration occurs at the war memorial in Chester, Nova Scotia, where the Canadian flag flies beside a statue of a Nova Scotia Highlander sculpted by J. Massey Rhind and unveiled in 1922. In 2026, the country will mark both the 61st anniversary of the first flag raising and the 30th anniversary of National Flag of Canada Day, underscoring the enduring significance of the Maple Leaf in Canadian identity and memory.
