Algerian politician who brought the nationalist leader Mohammed Ben Bella to power by a revolt in 1962 and superseded him as president in 1965 by a further coup. During his 13 years in office, he presided over an ambitious programme of economic development and promoted Algeria as an active champion of the developing world. In late 1978 he died of a rare blood disease.
The maple leaf is a traditional Canadian emblem. Red recalls Canadian lives lost during World War I. White stands for snow. Effective date: 15 February 1965.