The Upside Down Canadian Flag at the 1992 World Series

"The date was October 18, 1992, and the series remained in Atlanta going into Game 2 against the Braves. Atlanta took the opener 3-1 on the back of a complete game four-hitter by Tom Glavine. Spirits weren't exactly flying high for the Blue Jays entering Game 2 at Turner Field, and their home flag wasn't flying properly either. Due to a bit of miscommunication, the Canadian flag was flown upside down."

"The explanation of the upside down flag was that the Marine Corps only had the standard issue American and Marine Corps flags prepared to fly, and that the Canadian flag was provided by stadium officials mere moments before the marines were to go on the field. Interestingly enough, an upside down flag is an international sign of distress, but it didn't seem to affect the Blue Jays as they won Game 2 of the World Series 5-4."

The Canadian flag was flown upside down during the national anthems at Game 2 of the 1992 World Series in Atlanta on October 18, 1992. The U.S. Marine Corps carried both the U.S. and Canadian flags, but a gaffe by the flag holder resulted in the maple leaf being inverted. Canadian singer Tom Cochrane stumbled through several lines of the anthem. Stadium officials supplied the Canadian flag only moments before the Marines took the field. An upside down flag is an international distress signal, yet the Blue Jays won Game 2, 5-4, and vendors later sold shirts with upside down American flags while President George H. W. Bush reassured Canadians.

Read at Blue Jay Hunter