• In 1535 explorer Jacques Cartier heard the word "kanata".
• It was used to refer to the site of present day Quebec City.
• "Kanata" was a Huron-Iroquois word for "village" or "settlement"
• The name "Canada" later referred to a large area north of the St. Lawrence River.
• As more land was explored "Canada" grew.
• The first time "Canada" was used as an official name was in 1791 for the colonies of Upper and Lower Canada.
• In 1867, at the time of Confederation, the new country became known as Canada.

flag to colour

• Red and white are Canada's official colours.
• The flag first flew on February 15, 1965.

• It is said that the maple leaf served as a symbol of Canada as early as 1700.
• In 1867 Canada's confederation song The Maple Leaf Forever was written by Alexander Muir.
• The coat of arms created for Ontario and Quebec both included the maple leaf.
• The maple leaf appears on the penny, on the arms of Canada and on Canada's flag (1965).
• The red maple leaf is recognized around the world as a symbol of Canada.
• The Aboriginal people of Canada made syrup and sugar from the sap of the sugar maple tree.
• In 1996 the maple tree was officially recognized as a national emblem.

• The colours resemble the changing colours of the maple leaf during different seasons.
• In summer the leaves are green. Leaves turn gold in early autumn, then red in late autumn. Fallen leaves turn brown in colour.
• The tartan was designed by David Weiser in 1964.
• The Maple Leaf Tartan was made an official symbol of Canada on March 9, 2011.

• "O Canada" was proclaimed Canada's national anthem on July 1, 1980.
• It was first sung in Québec City on June 24, 1880.
• Link to the words and music for "O Canada"

coat of arms - to colour

COAT OF ARMS

• The Royal Crown is at the very top.
• A crowned lion is above the shield holding a red maple leaf.
• The shield is divided into five sections.
• Three golden lions of England and the lion of Scotland are at the top of the shield.
• The harp of Ireland and the fleur-de-lis of France are next.
• Below the harp and the fleur-de-lis are three maple leaves which represent Canadians of all origins.
• A lion and a unicorn stand on either side of the shield.
• The lion of England holds the Royal Union Flag.
  
• The unicorn of Scotland holds the flag of Royal France.
  
• The motto is right below the shield.
• The coat of arms rests on the floral emblems of the founding countries : the fleur-de-lis (France), the shamrock (Ireland), the thistle (Scotland) and the rose (England).

MOTTO - A MARI USQUE AD MARE "From sea to sea"

ANIMAL: THE BEAVER

• The beaver played an important role in Canada's history.
• It is a symbol of the fur trade of the early days.
• Beaver pelts were needed for fur hats.
• English and French fur traders trapped many beavers.
• The fur traders explored large parts of Canada and fur trading posts were built.
• There were six million beavers before the start of the fur trade.
• Then the beaver was in danger of being wiped out.
• At last the demand for beaver pelts ended.
• The beaver was featured on the coat of arms for the Hudson's Bay Company, Nova Scotia, Quebec City and the city of Montreal.
• It was also featured on the first postage stamp in 1851.
• The beaver officially became an emblem of Canada in 1975.
• A beaver is on the coat of arms for Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba.
• The beaver appears on the nickel .
  

OUR NATIONAL SPORTS

• In 1994, the Parliament of Canada declared ice hockey as the national winter sport and lacrosse as the national summer sport.