Lesson 9
The flag, the anthem, the maple leaf and national holidays.
The Canadian flag, raised in 1965, is red and white: a white square with a red maple leaf in the centre and a red border on each end. The maple leaf is Canada's best-known symbol. The coat of arms carries the motto 'A mari usque ad mare', meaning 'from sea to sea'. The beaver, an official symbol, appears on the five-cent coin, and the $1 coin is called the loonie after the loon on its back. Quebec's provincial flag features the fleur-de-lys.
The national anthem is 'O Canada', which begins 'O Canada! Our home and native land!'. The royal anthem is 'God Save the King' (or Queen). The highest military honour a Canadian can receive is the Victoria Cross. Hockey is Canada's national winter sport, and lacrosse is the national summer sport.
Canada Day, July 1, celebrates the anniversary of Confederation in 1867. Remembrance Day, November 11, honours those who served and died for Canada. Thanksgiving is on the second Monday of October. Sir John A. Macdonald Day is January 11 and Vimy Day is April 9.
Answer: Victoria Cross. The Victoria Cross (V.C.) is the highest honour available to Canadians and is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery.
Answer: O Canada. O Canada was proclaimed as the national anthem in 1980.
Answer: Red and white. The colors are red and white, representing the flag adopted in 1965.
Answer: The Maple Leaf. The maple leaf has been an important symbol since the 1700s and is on the flag.
Answer: Loonie. It is called the Loonie because it features a loon, a Canadian watermark bird.
Answer: O Canada! Our home and native land! The first line of Canada's English national anthem is "O Canada! Our home and native land!".
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