Great story thanks Bill, I am a Canadian that did not know of another Stanley. Appreciate a story like this on our Federal holiday, Family Day, Oh Canada
great story bill, I did not know the it, thanks for linking the two great Stanleys. can add the Stanley mug too, quite a hit after the viral car explosion. enjoy family day since you're part Canadian
Wow, a great history lesson for me a Canadian. I live much of the year near RMC on Wolfe Island. This has encouraged me to go visit the place and see the origins of our flag.
Interesting to read about the origins of our country’s flag today on Family Day in the province of Ontario. Thank you, Bill, for enlightening us with the Stanley story of our flag.
I can't help but wonder whether Stanley might have been inspired by the flag of Lebanon, adopted in 1943 and represented by the Cedar tree, the only flag in the world to have a tree (or a leaf) as its sole emblem.
Whether coincidental or not, the similarities are striking in color and significance. The Red outer stripes indicating bloodshed and sacrifice in the struggle for independence from the French; a central White stripe representing peace, purity, and snow-capped mountains, and the green cedar tree symbolizing immortality, resilience, unity and Lebanon's deep-rooted history.
A fascinating design convergence; same colors, same historical inspirations, same colonial power, and same world-unique single tree/leaf symbol. Part of the reasons Lebanese LOVE Canadians!
Quite the home run Bill. Great story on Family Day in Canada. Now I gotta go look that up! Happy Family or Heritage Day Canadians! And Happy Flag Day yesterday!
Sorry our president has been treating you so poorly.
I was in grade school in Bedford Quebec when Canada was looking for a new flag. Students were asked to submit. Mine was exactly the same as the current flag except the side panels were blue, east to west coast
I was 9 years old when this story took place and I remember the discussion and controversy, although not the name of the creator. The politicians were front and centre arguing about the best option. My preference was two blue bars on each end (from sea to sea; there was no recognition of the sea to the north at that time) with a single maple leaf, not the tri-leaf. I came to like the current version best with time. Always easy to know what country is represented when our flag flies!
I spent the summer of 1964 in Quebec City. I was a foreigner from Vancouver. I never knew how this beautiful and distinctive flag emerged from the endless debates. The image of Diefenbaker's jowls conveying the wrath that would soon condemn us to Canadian hell stays with me to this day.
Thanks for the history lesson! As an older Canadian I remember the new flag being introduced when I was in grade 4 but now I know the rest of the story! PS - I have often wondered, since your mother was Canadian, do you hold dual citizenship? You do a great job of keeping all North Americans engaged, while avoiding political controversies! 👏🇨🇦🇺🇸🇲🇽
My great-aunt, Rhea Duryea Johnson, was the first “infant” (she was born in 1885) carried up the Washington Monument, said the guard on duty that day! (And I agree with the previous comments about “great stories and newsletter, Bill” - thank you!)
Great story thanks Bill, I am a Canadian that did not know of another Stanley. Appreciate a story like this on our Federal holiday, Family Day, Oh Canada
Keep up the great stories and newsletters Bill!
great story bill, I did not know the it, thanks for linking the two great Stanleys. can add the Stanley mug too, quite a hit after the viral car explosion. enjoy family day since you're part Canadian
Wow, a great history lesson for me a Canadian. I live much of the year near RMC on Wolfe Island. This has encouraged me to go visit the place and see the origins of our flag.
Great story, Bill! A good debate, someone who performs gets overlooked and a simple, elegant outcome! Canadian to the core. This Canadian thanks you.
Interesting to read about the origins of our country’s flag today on Family Day in the province of Ontario. Thank you, Bill, for enlightening us with the Stanley story of our flag.
I can't help but wonder whether Stanley might have been inspired by the flag of Lebanon, adopted in 1943 and represented by the Cedar tree, the only flag in the world to have a tree (or a leaf) as its sole emblem.
Whether coincidental or not, the similarities are striking in color and significance. The Red outer stripes indicating bloodshed and sacrifice in the struggle for independence from the French; a central White stripe representing peace, purity, and snow-capped mountains, and the green cedar tree symbolizing immortality, resilience, unity and Lebanon's deep-rooted history.
A fascinating design convergence; same colors, same historical inspirations, same colonial power, and same world-unique single tree/leaf symbol. Part of the reasons Lebanese LOVE Canadians!
Quite the home run Bill. Great story on Family Day in Canada. Now I gotta go look that up! Happy Family or Heritage Day Canadians! And Happy Flag Day yesterday!
Sorry our president has been treating you so poorly.
Wallace Hume Carothers, inventor of nylon, committed suicide before the public announcement was made
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_Carothers
What a pity. Mental health in the US is a misnomer. Always has been.
I was in grade school in Bedford Quebec when Canada was looking for a new flag. Students were asked to submit. Mine was exactly the same as the current flag except the side panels were blue, east to west coast
Lester Pearson wanted yours!
Great essay. As Einstein said, if you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it.
I was 9 years old when this story took place and I remember the discussion and controversy, although not the name of the creator. The politicians were front and centre arguing about the best option. My preference was two blue bars on each end (from sea to sea; there was no recognition of the sea to the north at that time) with a single maple leaf, not the tri-leaf. I came to like the current version best with time. Always easy to know what country is represented when our flag flies!
I spent the summer of 1964 in Quebec City. I was a foreigner from Vancouver. I never knew how this beautiful and distinctive flag emerged from the endless debates. The image of Diefenbaker's jowls conveying the wrath that would soon condemn us to Canadian hell stays with me to this day.
As a Canadian, I wasn't aware of the flag's background. Thank you for providing the colour and humble background.
Thanks for the history lesson! As an older Canadian I remember the new flag being introduced when I was in grade 4 but now I know the rest of the story! PS - I have often wondered, since your mother was Canadian, do you hold dual citizenship? You do a great job of keeping all North Americans engaged, while avoiding political controversies! 👏🇨🇦🇺🇸🇲🇽
Bill, This Canadian reader thanks you for enlightening him. Keep the great stories coming.
My great-aunt, Rhea Duryea Johnson, was the first “infant” (she was born in 1885) carried up the Washington Monument, said the guard on duty that day! (And I agree with the previous comments about “great stories and newsletter, Bill” - thank you!)