and it is probably a good branch for us history buffs to get into.

There is a site you may want to check out if you are interested in =
Canadian history (yes we have one<smile>) and trivia tidbits:

http://canada.gc.ca/canadiana/cdaind_e.html=20

I have included 2 excerpts below re the origin of our flag (the maple leaf =
and the red and white) from the ceremonial and Canadian symbols section.

Seems strange to think that, as familiar as the Maple leaf is as a symbol =
of this country, the flag was not officially adopted til 1965. I was 2 and =
a half years old!  :-)

Yvonne

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"The maple leaf was historically used from the early days of Canada to =
symbolize the land and its people. It was first proposed as an emblem of =
Canada in 1834 when the Soci=E9t=E9 Saint-Jean-Baptiste was founded; =
shortly thereafter, in 1836, Le Canadien, a newspaper published in Lower =
Canada, referred to it as a suitable emblem for Canada.=20

"It was also used in the decorations for the visit of the Prince of Wales =
to Canada in 1860. It appears on the coats of arms granted to Quebec and =
Ontario in 1868 and as a distinctive emblem on the royal arms of Canada =
proclaimed in 1921. The maple leaf was for many years the symbol of the =
Canadian Armed Forces and was used to identify Canadian contingents in the =
two world wars. But it wasn't to receive official status until the =
National Flag of Canada was proclaimed by Her Majesty the Queen in 1965. "

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"Dr. Stanley's design is based on a strong sense of Canadian history. The =
combination of red, white and red first appeared in the General Service =
Medal issued by Queen Victoria. Red and white were subsequently proclaimed =
Canada's national colours by King George V in 1921. Three years earlier, =
Major General (later the Honourable) Sir Eugene Fiset had recommended that =
Canada's emblem be the single red maple leaf on a white field - the device =
worn by all Canadian Olympic athletes since 1904. =20

"The committee eventually decided to recommend the single-leaf design, =
which was approved by resolution of the House of Commons on December 15, =
1964, followed by the Senate on December 17, 1964, and proclaimed by Her =
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, to take effect on February =
15, 1965. "=20

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