|
|
by A.C., Winnipeg, Man. |
Can you explain why Canada chose the Maple Leaf as her national emblem?
The obvious reason is also the proper reason: the maple leaf, as the leaf of a very popular native tree in this country, could be seen everywhere in the country. In the fall, its brilliant colour cannot be ignored. So the maple leaf was adopted because it was common in this country.
However the first users of the emblem may come as a bit of a surprise. The founding meeting of the St. Jean Baptiste society adopted the Maple Leaf - in 1834. Not until 1860 did the federal government adopt the Maple Leaf as the official badge design of the 100th (Royal Canadian) Regiment.
In 1965, the Canadian government adopted the Maple Leaf as the official emblem for the national flag.
©1999 TG Magazine/Le Magazine TG
tgmag@tgmag.ca