Quebec 3' x 5' Polyester Flag - QC

The Quebec Flag was designed in 1902, based on a banner discovered in 1848 commemorating a battle exploit in 1758. During the reign of Louis VII, the fleur-de-lis was used extensively on royal seals against an azure banner. On July 24, 1534, Jacques Cartier planted a cross in Gaspé bearing the royal coat of arms with fleurs-de-lis. His ship bore the national flag of France, which was then a red ensign with a white cross. The cross was; a reminder of the cross bore by foot soldiers on their tunics during the third Crusade in 1188.

The flag was changed to blue with a white cross when Champlain sailed up the Saint Lawrence River for the first time in 1603, bringing the colours of France to North America. France eventually settled on the Red White and Blue Tricolour known to the country today. In the early 1900's, numerous Quebec proposals competed with the French Tricolour. It was Frédéric-Alexandre Baillairgé, a priest from Saint-Hubert who proposed a blue flag strewn with fleurs-de-lis argent and bearing in the center Québec's coat of arms, a beaver and maple leaves. . Elphège Filiatrault borrowed from the banner of the same name its fleurs-de-lis pointing toward the centre and its colour, thought to be sky blue. The white cross was the same as the crosses found on the old ensigns of the French army. The flag was greeted enthusiastically.

Immediately after World War II, the campaign in favour of a fleur-de-lis flag was revived. Canada's choice in 1946 of the Red Ensign poorly reflected Quebec's aspirations. A Quebec Legislative debate was scheduled to discuss the proposed Quebec Flag on January 21, 1948. When the session began at 3 p.m., Prime Minister Maurice Duplesis announced that the debate was redundant since the fleur-de-lis flag was already flying on the tower of the National Assembly. In heraldic language, the Québec flag is described thus: Azure a cross between 4 fleurs-de-lis argent. The order of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council of January 21, 1948, adopting the official flag of Québec, specified that the fleurs-de-lis was to be placed in a vertical position, in accordance with the rules of heraldry. It was not until March 9, 1950 that the legislative assembly gave its approval.

Flag Measures 36 in x 60 in and is 100% polyester with grommets for easy flying.