Flag Of Great Britain
The Flag of the Kingdom of Great Britain was the royal banner known as the King's Colours. The design dated from the early 17th century, when it was ordered by King James I and VI to be used on ships on the high seas, and it subsequently came into use as a national flag with the union of England and Scotland in 1707.
The flag consists of the red cross of Saint George, patron saint of England, superimposed on the Saltire of Saint Andrew, patron saint of Scotland. Its correct proportions are 1:2.
The flag's official use came to an end in 1801 with the creation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. At that time Saint Patrick's Flag was added to the flag of Great Britain to create the present-day Union Flag.
Read more about Flag Of Great Britain: Creation
Famous quotes containing the words flag and/or britain:
“Columbus stood in his age as the pioneer of progress and enlightenment. The system of universal education is in our age the most prominent and salutary feature of the spirit of enlightenment, and it is peculiarly appropriate that the schools be made by the people the center of the day’s demonstration. Let the national flag float over every schoolhouse in the country and the exercises be such as shall impress upon our youth the patriotic duties of American citizenship.”
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