National Flag of Canada Day

Did you know Canada.. today, February 15th, is National Flag Day!!

First declared in 1996, it marks the day in 1965 when our red and white maple leaf flag was first raised over Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

You can read about the history of our flag here. Although I'm sure I knew it, I was still shocked to read our flag was debated on in Parliment from Oct-Dec 1964, and on January 28, 1965, the National Flag of Canada was proclaimed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to take effect on February 15, 1965 - which brings us, of course, to flag day on February 15th. Went I think back to history I would have though our flag was older than that.

Although the official flag did not come about until the mid sixty's, the red and white of our flag were designated as Canada's official colours in 1921 by His Majesty King George V and the maple leaf has actually been used as an emblem in Canada since the eighteenth century. It was often served to distinguish Canadians abroad, for example it was used to represent Canada at our first time in the Olympians in 1904.

Did you know our flags history?

Canada Day

Did you know Canada.. with the work day coming to a close and big events planned for Canada Day tomorrow don't forget to get groceries tonight and maybe a quick stop at the LCBO! Everything will (or is suppose to be) closed tomorrow for the National Holiday!

Across the nation there will be parades, parties, fireworks and more. It's best to check with your local newspaper or radio stations for local events. If you are in our Nations Capital tomorrow the special guests are Prince William and Princess Kate, who will be here as part of the Royal Tour.

This is Canada's 144th Birthday and a day to think about Canada's past, present and future as we head into a new year as proud Canadians.

How are you celebrating tomorrow??

Royal Wedding

Did you know Canada.. of course you all know William and Kate (now known as Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, Earl & Countess of Strathearn and Baron & Countess Carrickfergus) were wed in the most beautiful Royal Wedding this morning.

In a statement today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the government of Canada is offering the gift of $50,000 donation to the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary on behalf of all Canadians as our wedding gift to the happy couple. The donation will help the group provide a permanent search-and-rescue program, and to help prevent injuries or loss of life at sea.

As we mentioned before Will & Kate will be visiting our beautiful country June 30 to July 8 where their visit will include trips to Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and the Ottawa area.

Royal Wedding

Did you know Canada.. well, as I'm sure most of you DO know, the Royal Wedding between William and Kate takes place this Friday. Depending on where you live it's likely you'll be getting up around 3 in the morning if you want to watch it.

I've seen a lot of comments on twitter with people saying they don't care about the Royal Wedding and it has nothing to do with us, etc, etc..

I don't agree with that at all. We're Canadian and part of being Canadian is knowing at least a bit about the Monarch, after all Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is Canada's Head of State. Although the monarch’s powers have been dissolving since the nineteenth century - about the only ones that remain are the right to appoint a prime minister and dissolve parliament.

I think there are many people that will be getting up at 3am to watch the Royal Wedding - after all, William is likely going to be King, and likely in our lifetime. Many of us, like my Mother for one, woke up at 1am to watch Charles and Dianna wed and will be doing the same this Friday and look forward to it.

Will you be attending the wedding of William and Kate?

Pile o' Bones?

Did you know Canada..  Regina, Saskatchewan's original name was "Pile o' Bones"?

(reginalibrary.ca)

This was referring to the large amounts of buffalo bones on the banks of the Wascana Creek.  In fact, Regina's first export business was that of exporting bleached bones to eastern Canada to be used as fertilizer.

Then in 1882 Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, and her husband, the Duke of Argyll, who was then the Governor General of Canada, passed through the hamlet of Pile of Bones by train, she named the new community Regina which is Latin for queen, after her mother, the Queen. This gave rise to frequent use of the Queen City when referring to Regina.

Source: Regina.ca, Wikipedia

Royal Visits

Did you know Canada.. as I noted on twitter yesterday Prince William and his bride to be Catherine Middleton will be visiting Canada in June and July of this year - about 2 months after their wedding.

Looking back our last Royal visit was in July of 2010 when Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex visited Alberta. Also in June and July of 2010 Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited Winnipeg, Nova Scotia and Ontario celebrating the Canadian record of service. During this visit Her Majesty The Queen sat for a portrait photograph at Rideau Hall. The completed portrait is to be unveiled in 2012 for Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.

Looking way back the first visit to Canada by a member of the Royal Family took place in 1786.

Source: The British Monarchy, Government of Canada