Lester Pearson gave his country its maple-leaf flag, and built Ottawa's National Arts Centre, opened in 1969.

ECONOMIST: Jean Chr��tien, historical monument

And then there's the maple-leaf controversy.

WSJ: Canada's New Banknotes Strike Some as Loonie

Both natural events bring the Japanese out en masse to celebrate the changing seasons, with hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties in the springtime and momiji-gari (maple leaf viewing) in the fall.

BBC: K��y��: Japan��s autumn explosion of colour

She didn't stop performing until she was 72 and choreographed one of her rare light-hearted works, Maple Leaf Rag, just a year before her death.

NPR: Martha Graham Dancers Return to the Stage

The duchess wore a white dress and red hat - the colours of Canada's flag - and the Queen's maple leaf brooch.

BBC: Canada royal tour: Duke and duchess move on to Quebec