Walking the Memory Lane

Walking the Memory Lane: Celebrating Flag Day in Toronto

Every February 15th, Canada celebrates National Flag of Canada Day, marking the anniversary of the first time our iconic red-and-white maple leaf flag was raised in 1965. This year, I decided to commemorate the day by taking a photo walk along Memory Lane in Toronto, an alleyway tucked between Leslieville and the Beaches. While it may not be a grand boulevard, its name carries a certain poetic charm that seemed fitting for reflecting on national symbols and history.

A Winter Walk Through Memory Lane

The narrow, snow-covered alleyway greeted me with a quiet stillness. Flanked by older houses and garages, the lane had an old Toronto charm that felt like a step back in time. I set out with my Sony RX100, looking to capture the essence of the place in black and white, letting the textures of winter and architecture tell the story.

As I walked further, I came across a historical marker dedicated to Alexander Muir, the composer of "The Maple Leaf Forever." Though not Canada’s official anthem, this song held deep patriotic significance before "O Canada" took center stage. Muir’s inspiration supposedly came from a grand maple tree in this very neighborhood, reinforcing the deep connection between Toronto and the symbol of the flag we honor today.

The Stump of a Symbol

Beyond the plaque stood the remnants of that legendary maple tree, now a weathered and hollowed-out stump. Snow clung to its rugged bark, a stark reminder of time’s passage. The tree may be gone, but its legacy endures—much like the ideals our flag represents. The sight of it made me reflect on how symbols evolve; while "The Maple Leaf Forever" no longer plays the role it once did, the maple leaf itself has remained a unifying emblem across the country.

The Flag and the City

While Memory Lane itself isn’t a spot where one might expect grand Flag Day celebrations, it felt like the perfect place for a quiet moment of appreciation. The Canadian flag is omnipresent in Toronto, flying high at City Hall, waving from storefronts, and even appearing on murals in Kensington Market. It’s a reminder that while we celebrate national pride in many ways—sometimes loudly in parades, other times quietly on a snowy walk—our connection to this symbol remains strong.

Closing Thoughts

As I wrapped up my walk, I snapped a final shot of the plaque against the backdrop of evergreens. The contrast of past and present felt fitting. Memory Lane may not be well-known outside of the neighborhood, but for me, it became the perfect place to honor the maple leaf—both as a song and as the flag that unites us all.

Whether through a flag-waving celebration or a reflective winter stroll, Flag Day is a moment to remember what our national symbols mean to us. For me, this year, it was about walking through history, camera in hand, capturing the quiet stories that make Toronto, and Canada, what they are today.