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Canada Day Books

© Mary M. Alward

The Canadian flag is a very important symbol to my country, as your flag is to your country. Though Canada became independent from Britain on July 1, 1867, we still flew the Union Jack, which was the British flag. In 1964, when I was in grade 8, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, put out a call for flag designs. He invited every person in Canada to submit a design. Canada was going to have her very own flag for the country's 100th birthday. Any person who wished, could design a flag and send it to the federal government.

The principal of our school, Mrs. Smith, who was also my grade 8 teacher, had every child in grades 3 to 8 design a flag during art class. Mrs. Smith then submitted the designs to the Canadian Flag Committee. None of the students in the school won, but thousands of students, as well as adults and professional artists, sent designs to the committee for consideration. Many of these drawings are now in the National Archives of Canada. They are part of the country's heritage.

Canada celebrates her independence on July 1st of each year. I've said all of this so you will know a bit of history about the Canadian flag. Want to know more? Read these books.

Canada's Maple Leaf: The Story of our Flag

Author: Maureen Owens and Jane Yealland

Illustrator: Bill Slavin and Esperanca Melo

Publisher: Kids Can Press

ISBN: 1550745166

This book tells the history of the Canadian flag. There are hundreds of flag facts, such as "First Flags over Canada","A Flag of Canada's Own", "Thousands of Flags", and "Flag Day".

The section, "Joan O'Malley's Flag", tells how a young twenty-year-old Canadian woman, came to sew Canada's flag. Joan lived in Ottawa, which is the capital city of Canada.

"Mind Your Manners" tells about flag etiquette. Flags of all countries should be handled and flown with respect. You'll be surprised at how many rules there are for handling and flying flags. This book tells how to use the Canadian flag in the proper manner. Most of these rules apply to the flags of other countries as well.

Thee are also activities in this book. "Flying Colours" (proper Canadian spelling) tells how to make a Canadian flag out of fabric. This is a real flag and can be flown outside your home. The book also explains how to raise the flag.

"Send a Flag Message", tells you how to send a secret message using signal flags. The book also shows pictures of all twelve of the provincial flags. (Canada has provinces instead of states.)