The flag of Tonga was adopted on 4 November 1875.
The flag looks similar to the flag of the Red Cross. The flag was originally identical to that flag, but to avoid confusion, it was changed so that the red cross appeared as a canton of a red ensign, making it similar to the 17th-century English Red Ensign.
The flag has been in use since 1864 but it was officially adopted only in 1875. Clause 47 of the Tongan Constitution states: "The Flag of Tonga shall never be altered but shall always be the flag of the Kingdom."
Read more about Flag Of Tonga: Other Flags in Use
Famous quotes containing the word flag:
“What is Americanism? Every one has a different answer. Some people say it is never to submit to the dictation of a King. Others say Americanism is the pride of liberty and the defence of an insult to the flag with their gore. When some half-developed person tramples on that flag, we should be ready to pour out the blood of the nation, they say. But do we not sit in silence when that flag waves over living conditions which should be an insult to all patriotism?”
—Anna Howard Shaw (1847–1919)