United Kingdom .uk

Meaning of the Flag

The Union Jack or Union Flag is the national flag of the United Kingdom. While no law has been passed making the Union Flag the national flag of the United Kingdom, it has become one through precedent. The flags of British Overseas Territories, as well as certain sovereign states and regions (particularly in the Commonwealth) that were previously British possessions, incorporate the Union Jack into their own flag designs or have official flags that are derived from the Union Jack. Even if the term Union Jack does derive from the jack flag, after three centuries, it is now sanctioned by use and has appeared in official use, confirmed as the national flag by Parliament and remains the popular term.

Flag History

1. 1603
   In the wake of the 1603 personal union, several designs for a new flag were drawn up, juxtaposing the Saint George's Cross and the St Andrew's Saltire, but none were acceptable to James: Various other designs for a common flag were drawn up following the union of the two Crowns in 1603, but were rarely, if ever, used.
2. 1658–1660
   

   However, the flag of the Protectorate from 1658 to 1660 was inescutcheoned with the arms of Ireland.
3. 1776–1777
   

   It is this version of the Union Jack that formed the canton of the Continental Union Flag, the "de facto" first national flag of the United States from July 1776 to June 1777.
4. 1816
   

   Flag in use 1816.
5. 1951–1957
   

   Flag in use 1951–1957.
6. 1958–1967
   

   Flag in use 1958–1967.
7. 1801
   

   and in King George III's proclamation of 1 January 1801 concerning the arms and flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: And that the Union Flag shall be Azure, the Crosses Saltires of St.
8. 1801–present
   

   Current national flag, in use since 1801.

Location