Special Red and White Illumination Of Niagara Falls Planned to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of the Canadian Flag

News from Ontario’s Niagara Parks Commission

Niagara Falls, Ontario, February, 2015 – In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Canadian Flag, The Niagara Falls Illumination Board will be lighting both the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls in red and white, for 15 minute increments during the hours of 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 p.m., on the evening of February 15, 2015.

Watch for these great iconic Falls to be lit up in red and white to celebrate 50th anniversary of Canada’s flag

The modern Canadian National Flag was adopted by the Canadian Government on February 15, 1965. With Canada’s centennial celebrations close at hand, the government of the day wished to create a very distinctive and unifying flag to replace the previous Canadian Red Ensign. For 50 years, the iconic Maple Leaf on the flag, designed by George Stanley, has been recognized around the world as a symbol of Canada.

According the Department of Canadian Heritage, the official ceremony inaugurating the new Canadian flag was held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on February 15, 1965, with Governor General Georges Vanier, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, the members of the Cabinet and thousands of Canadians in attendance. The Canadian Red Ensign, bearing the Union Jack and the shield of the royal arms of Canada, was lowered and then, on the stroke of noon, the new maple leaf flag was raised.

Established in 1925, The Niagara Falls Illumination Board is made up of representatives from the City of Niagara Falls Ontario, the City of Niagara Falls, New York, Ontario Power Generation Inc., The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and The Niagara Parks Commission.  It is the Illumination Board’s responsibility and mandate to finance and maintain the nightly illumination of both the Horseshoe and American Falls.

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