Symbols of Canada

**The Canadian Flag** The current flag — a red maple leaf on a white background flanked by two red borders — was adopted on February 15, 1965. Red and white are Canada's national colours, proclaimed by King George V in 1921. **The national anthem** "O Canada" was composed in French in 1880 and officially adopted as the national anthem in 1980. **The maple leaf and maple tree** The maple leaf is Canada's primary national symbol. The maple tree is found across much of Canada and produces maple syrup — one of Canada's most distinctive products. **The beaver** Canada's national animal, the beaver was central to the fur trade that drove Canada's early development. It appears on the Canadian nickel. **The loon** The common loon appears on the Canadian one-dollar coin, known as the "loonie." **The national sports** • **Ice hockey** — Canada's national winter sport. Canada is the birthplace of modern hockey. • **Lacrosse** — Canada's national summer sport, originally played by Aboriginal peoples. **National holidays** • **Canada Day** — July 1: celebrates Confederation in 1867 • **Victoria Day** — Monday before May 25: honours Queen Victoria's birthday • **Remembrance Day** — November 11: honours those who died in military service • **Thanksgiving** — second Monday in October: a harvest festival • **St. Jean Baptiste Day** — June 24: celebrates French-Canadian culture (Quebec) **Remembrance Day** Red poppies are worn to honour those who died in military service, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae (1915). **The coat of arms** Canada's coat of arms includes elements representing England (three lions), Scotland (a red lion), Ireland (a gold harp) and France (three fleurs-de-lis), along with Canadian maple leaves. The motto "A Mari Usque Ad Mare" means "From Sea to Sea."