Since 1868, the Canadian Red Ensign was the Canadian national flag. Then, during the leadership of Prime Minister Lester Pearson, resolutions were passed, first in the House of Commons on Dec. 15, 1964, then in the Senate on Dec. 17, 1964, recommending a new flag - the one we use today.
On Jan. 28, 1965, Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed the new flag, and that it would take effect ‘upon, from and after’ Feb. 15, 1965. Next year, 2015, will mark the 50th Anniversary of this proclamation.
National Flag of Canada Day was instituted in 1996 by an Order in Council from Governor General Romeo LeBlanc. While is it not an official statutory holiday, a private member’s bill was introduced by NDP MP Peggy Nash in 2007, leaving it to the provinces to decide if the holiday would be marked in their respective jurisdictions.
If you have a Canadian flag, why not take it out on Feb. 15 and raise it, or put a small one in a window, or wear something that has the flag on it.