Canadian Symbols

The first 10 questions, with answers

Open a question to see the answer and the explanation.

1. 1. In what year was the current Canadian flag raised for the first time?

   • 1965
   • 1982
   • 1949
   • 1921

   Answer: 1965. The red and white maple leaf flag was raised for the first time in 1965.

2. 2. In what year were red and white named Canada's official colours?

   • 1931
   • 1921
   • 1867
   • 1965

   Answer: 1921. Red and white were appointed Canada's national colours in 1921.

3. 3. Which flag served as Canada's national flag for about 100 years before 1965?

   • The fleur-de-lys banner
   • The Union Jack
   • The Canadian Red Ensign
   • The Royal Standard

   Answer: The Canadian Red Ensign. The Canadian Red Ensign was the national flag for roughly a century before the maple leaf flag replaced it.

4. 4. The red-white-red pattern of the Canadian flag comes from the flag of which institution?

   • The Royal Canadian Mounted Police
   • The Hudson's Bay Company
   • The Bank of Canada
   • The Royal Military College

   Answer: The Royal Military College. The flag's red-white-red arrangement is taken from the flag of the Royal Military College.

5. 5. In what year was the Royal Military College founded?

   • 1876
   • 1901
   • 1867
   • 1812

   Answer: 1876. The Royal Military College, whose flag inspired the national flag's pattern, was founded in 1876.

6. 6. What does Canada's national motto, A Mari Usque Ad Mare, mean?

   • Land of the maple
   • From sea to sea
   • Strong and free
   • Peace, order and good government

   Answer: From sea to sea. A Mari Usque Ad Mare is Latin for "from sea to sea".

7. 7. In what language is Canada's national motto written?

   • English
   • French
   • Latin
   • Gaelic

   Answer: Latin. The motto A Mari Usque Ad Mare is Latin.

8. 8. When was Canada's official coat of arms adopted?

   • After the Second World War
   • When the flag changed in 1965
   • At Confederation in 1867
   • After the First World War

   Answer: After the First World War. Canada's official coat of arms was adopted in the years after the First World War.

9. 9. Which of these does NOT appear on the Arms of Canada?

   • Symbols of Wales
   • Red maple leaves
   • Symbols of England
   • Symbols of Scotland

   Answer: Symbols of Wales. The Arms of Canada carry symbols of England, France, Scotland and Ireland, together with red maple leaves.

10. 10. In which century did French Canadians adopt the maple leaf as a symbol?

    • The 1500s
    • The 1700s
    • The 1800s
    • The 1900s

    Answer: The 1700s. The maple leaf was taken up as a symbol by French Canadians in the 1700s.

55 more questions in this chapter open with a free account.