<P> The national colours of Canada (French: Couleurs nationales du Canada) were declared by King George V in 1921 to be red and white and are most prominently evident on the country's national flag . Red is symbolic of England and white of France, the colours having been used representatively by those countries in the past . The maple is one of the national symbols and red is the first leaf colour after spring budding & also the autumn colour of maple leaves . </P> <P> Canada's national colours can trace their history to the First Crusade of the 11th century, during which Norman nobleman Bohemond I of Antioch distributed red crosses to the crusaders he led, so that they could affix them to their clothing "as a distinguishing mark". Thereafter, nations were identified by the colour of their cross, and in particular, England used a white cross on a red background and France a red cross on white . Eventually, France and England agreed to exchange their colours, and St George's Cross was adopted as an emblem of England . This was the flag used by John Cabot when he landed on the island of Newfoundland on his second voyage in 1497 under the commission of Henry VII of England . The two nations would eventually explore North America, where each claimed territory . </P>

Why is the canada flag red and white
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