National Flag of Canada Day2026 · Date · History
Government of Canada / Canadian Heritage; declared in 1996 and tied to the first raising of the maple leaf flag in 1965
About National Flag of Canada Day
National Flag of Canada Day is observed on February 15 to commemorate Canada’s maple leaf flag and the anniversary of its first raising on Parliament Hill in 1965.
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien declared February 15 National Flag of Canada Day in 1996, and the Government of Canada continues to mark it annually.
Why National Flag of Canada Day matters
The civic observance focuses on the National Flag of Canada as an official state symbol and on the historical anniversary associated with its first raising.
The 1965 creation and inauguration of the flag are historical events distinct from the 1996 declaration establishing National Flag of Canada Day.
History of National Flag of Canada Day
Parliament endorsed the maple-leaf flag design in December 1964, and Queen Elizabeth II signed the royal proclamation on January 28, 1965.
The new National Flag of Canada was raised on Parliament Hill for the first time on February 15, 1965.
On February 15, 1996, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien declared that February 15 would henceforth be celebrated as National Flag of Canada Day.
Current Canadian Heritage material continues to observe the day every February 15 and ties it directly to the first raising of the flag.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
The 1996 declaration is issued personally by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and declares the annual observance.
Prime Minister of Canada
Declaration of National Flag of Canada Day
First documented observance
Government of Canada history says the date was declared National Flag of Canada Day in 1996 and has been observed every year since.
Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada
Canadian Heritage maintains the current annual National Flag of Canada Day program, history and educational materials.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
2 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe National Flag of Canada Day
Learn the documented history of the National Flag of Canada from Canadian Heritage or Parks Canada.
Follow official flag etiquette when displaying the national flag.
Use Government of Canada educational materials for classroom or community activities.
Distinguish the flag’s 1965 adoption and first raising from the 1996 creation of National Flag of Canada Day.
Keep civic participation voluntary and informational rather than using the guide to advocate a political position.
National Flag of Canada Day Facts
National Flag of Canada Day is February 15.
The current maple leaf flag was first raised on Parliament Hill on February 15, 1965.
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien declared National Flag of Canada Day on February 15, 1996.
Canadian Heritage continues to provide annual Flag Day programming and materials.
The 1965 flag history and the 1996 observance declaration are separate milestones.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Government of Canada (opens in a new tab)
Government of Canada (opens in a new tab)
Government of Canada — National Flag of Canada Day (opens in a new tab)
Government Dedicated Page
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Flag of Canada Day?
15 February The documented recurrence rule is: 15 February.
Does National Flag of Canada Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is National Flag of Canada Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Canadian civic observance marking the national flag. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes National Flag of Canada Day?
The reviewed sources identify Prime Minister of Canada as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada.
Is National Flag of Canada Day international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: Canadian civic observance marking the national flag. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-28.
When is National Flag of Canada Day?
It is observed on February 15 each year.
Why February 15?
The date commemorates February 15, 1965, when Canada’s current national flag was raised on Parliament Hill for the first time.
When was National Flag of Canada Day declared?
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien declared it on February 15, 1996.
Was the flag itself created in 1996?
No. The current flag was proclaimed and first raised in 1965; the annual Flag Day observance was declared in 1996.
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