National Flag of Canada Day, informally known as Flag Day, is celebrated on February 15 in Canada, commemorating the adoption of the National Flag of Canada on that date in 1965.
The dedication of a special day to commemorate the adoption of Canada's current flag was instituted in 1996 by the government of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
At the very first Flag Day ceremony in Hull, Quebec, anti-poverty activist Bill Clennett attended to protest government cuts to social programs. He got close to Chrétien, who grabbed him by the neck and pushed him aside. Chrétien was widely criticized for this incident, which came to be dubbed the "Shawinigan Handshake".
Numerous Canadians feel that Flag Day should be declared a national statutory holiday, as there is a long period early in the year (between New Year's Day and Good Friday) when there are none.
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