Union Jack Flag History
The Union Jack is a flag made up of three different national symbols from the places that comprise the United Kingdom--the St. George's Cross (the flag of England), the St. Andrew's Cross (the flag of Scotland) and the St. Patrick's Cross--the flag of Ireland.
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The name
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In 1606, the first flag was named the Union flag.
King James
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In 1606, the king of Scotland, James IV, became King of England and was renamed James I. This union of two countries under one king was the deciding factor to make a new flag to represent both.
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The Union Jack
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Due to Scotland and England not being formally united until 1707, the flag was only used on the bow end of a ship on a jack staff. Thus came the name, "Union Jack."
A new flag
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In 1801, Ireland and England were united. The call for a new flag was in order and thus the flag was redesigned incorporating the cross of St. Patrick. In 1921, southern Ireland gained its independence, but the flag remained unchanged.
Officially named
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It was in Parliament in 1908 that the name "Union Jack" was made official and the flag was made the national flag.
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