The Maple Leaf Forever, created by Alexander Muir in 1867, had been Canada's unofficial anthem up until O Canada was officially adopted as our national anthem on July 1, 1980. The Maple Leaf Forever was a patriotic song composed by Alexander Muir (words and music) in October 1867, the year of Confederation. The fact that Canada's striking new flag had no anthem to celebrate it, and a beloved old Canadian song proclaimed "The Maple Leaf Forever" seemed to suggest a perfect partnership: Canadians could celebrate their beloved Maple Leaf Flag with an anthem representing Canada of the 21st century, but with a melody that went back to the very birth of the country. Flag Day Maple Leaf Forever and its French counterpart La feuille d'érable de nos vies pour La journée du drapeau were created to give our flag the love and appreciation it deserved and to celebrate everything good that the flag represented.