[MacDonaill]

Most of you probably didn't realise that today is Commonwealth Day. Today, we as Commonwealth citizens, comprising a full third of the global population, celebrate 60 years since the birth of the modern Commonwealth of Nations. Sixty years since the greatest Empire the world has ever known became the largest non-political free association of countries the world has ever known.

Until 1958, Commonwealth Day was known as Empire Day. Empire Day was a Canadian invention which quickly spread throughout the Empire as a day to celebrate the common bonds between the different dominions, and to re-affirm their symbolic allegiance to the Crown.

Look out for the Union Jack today! I cite the Ministry of Canadian Heritage website:

In Canada, the Royal Union flag, also known as the "Union Jack" where physical arrangements allow, is flown along with the National Flag at federal buildings, airports, military bases and other federal buildings and establishments within Canada, from sunrise to sunset, to mark this day.



Learn more about Commonwealth Day on the webpage itself.

http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/jfa-ha/commonwealth-eng.cfm

I am fairly sure that I don't risk seeing a Union Jack where I live (in Chicoutimi, QC), especially since the only federal buildings we have here only have one flag pole. However, I am interested to know if anyone else sees any.

[commanderkai]

It's my mom's birthday tomorrow, and I find that 100 times more important than celebrating Commonwealth Day. Then again I oppose the Crown and everything it stands for, for that matter

[maldonsfecht]

MacDonaill wrote:

Most of you probably didn't realise that today is Commonwealth Day. Today, we as Commonwealth citizens, comprising a full third of the global population, celebrate 60 years since the birth of the modern Commonwealth of Nations. Sixty years since the greatest Empire the world has ever known became the largest non-political free association of countries the world has ever known.

Until 1958, Commonwealth Day was known as Empire Day. Empire Day was a Canadian invention which quickly spread throughout the Empire as a day to celebrate the common bonds between the different dominions, and to re-affirm their symbolic allegiance to the Crown.

Look out for the Union Jack today! I cite the Ministry of Canadian Heritage website:

In Canada, the Royal Union flag, also known as the "Union Jack" where physical arrangements allow, is flown along with the National Flag at federal buildings, airports, military bases and other federal buildings and establishments within Canada, from sunrise to sunset, to mark this day.



Learn more about Commonwealth Day on the webpage itself.

http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/jfa-ha/commonwealth-eng.cfm

I am fairly sure that I don't risk seeing a Union Jack where I live (in Chicoutimi, QC), especially since the only federal buildings we have here only have one flag pole. However, I am interested to know if anyone else sees any.

thanks for pointing this out to everyone
I have the Union Jack next to my Maple Leaf at all times... and The St. George's and St. Andrew's cross flags up in my home as well.
I'm a strong believer in and supporter of the Commonwealth and Canada's British heritage; two of my four grandparents (one per side)are first generation Canadian (one Scottish, one English) while the other two hail from lines back as far and farther than the nation (father's side came to the American colonies in 1634, then to Nova Scotia with the British army to fight at Louisbourg, settling here permanently afterwards, and mother's side around the same time with the French in New Brunswick).
Canada has flourished to the benefit of all her citizens under the Union Jack and the Maple Leaf making us the nation we have become today, one of the most respected countries in the world.
Long live the Commonwealth and long live Canada!

[MacDonaill]

commanderkai wrote:

It's my mom's birthday tomorrow, and I find that 100 times more important than celebrating Commonwealth Day. Then again I oppose the Crown and everything it stands for, for that matter

Wow, perhaps the whole country should celebrate your mother's birthday instead...

In any case, Commonwealth Day is not really a celebration of the Crown anymore, it's a celebration of the Commonwealth itself, most member countries of which are republics.

If one so chooses, they can also use the day to celebrate the Crown, but that is entirely optional, and in any case, we already have a special day for that in Victoria Day.