Page 130 - (DK) Complete Flags of the World

Europe

United Kingdom

Ratio: 1:2 Adopted: January 1, 1801 Usage: National and Civil

The saltire of
St. Patrick has
been counter-
The white saltire changed with the
on a blue field white saltire of
was taken St. Andrew
from the St.
Andrew’s Cross

The central red cross, fimbriated with white
was adapted from the St. George’s Cross

The United Kingdom was formed in 1707, uniting
England, Scotland, and Wales. In 1801 Ireland
joined, but in 1921 the south broke away.

The Union Flag is probably one known as the Union Jack, be flown
of the world’s best known flags, on British ships, combining the
partially due to its unusual design, English Cross of St. George with
but more importantly, because the Scottish Cross of St. Andrew.
of the importance of the British
Empire in World history. A NEW UNION FLAG
In 1801, when Ireland joined the
THE FIRST UNION FLAG Union, the so-called Cross of
When King James of Scotland St. Patrick was added to form the
became King of England in 1603, present flag, but was counterchanged
both countries retained their own with the Cross of St. Andrew.
flags. Even today, the St. George’s
Cross and St. Andrew’s Cross A ROYAL FLAG
remain the flags of England and The Union Flag was established
Scotland respectively. In 1606 King as a maritime flag and it remains a
James considered it necessary to have royal flag, not officially a national
a flag reflecting the new union of flag. In 1915, King George V gave
Scotland and England and ordered permission for British citizens to
that a Union Flag, more commonly use the flag on land.

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