‘O Canada’: The Twists and Turns Along the Road to Settling on a Canadian National Anthem

Gov. Gen. Ed Schreyer prepares to sign the proclamation making “O Canada” the national anthem at a ceremony on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on July 1, 1980. Seated on the left is Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. CP Photo/Peter Bregg

Commentary

Newly born countries seldom dawdle when it comes time to adopt new patriotic symbols. No sooner has independence been declared than a new flag is run up the pole, a new coat of arms appears on official letterhead, and a stirring national anthem is commissioned.