Flag of the month May – The Union

As the nation commemorates 75 years since the end of the World War II we see fit to place the Union as our Flag of the month for May.

VE Day stands for Victory in Europe Day and it was indeed a victorious moment in time. 75 years ago, at 3pm Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced to the nation that the war was finally over. Celebration ensued across the country and it is reported that in London alone a crowd of 50,000 celebrated the momentous event in Piccadilly Circus, cheering and waving flags.

The Union Flag or Union Jack stirs national spirit and has symbolised victory and patriotism for hundreds of years. How glorious it would be to see UK household displaying their Union Flags and bunting on Friday 8th May 2020.

To mark the significance of this flag, we thought we’d share some facts. Maybe you could use them in your next virtual quiz!

Union Facts

1. The Union Flag is most commonly known as a ‘Union Jack’. Whilst both are correct terms, the ‘Union Jack’ is a term that historically describes the use of the flag flown in the bows of a warship whilst not in harbour and the technically correct term is a ‘union’ for when it is flown on land (source: Flag Institute).
2. The flag consists of three crosses; The cross of St George, patron saint of England, this is the red cross on a white background. The cross saltire of St Andrew, patron saint of Scotland, this is the diagonal white cross on a blue ground. And finally, the cross saltire of St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. This is the diagonal red cross on a white ground.
3. Where did the Welsh dragon go? The Welsh dragon doesn’t appear, as when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, the Principality of Wales was already united with England and was no longer a separate principality.
4. The Union Flag was originally a Royal flag and the present design was made official in 1801. The flag was ordered to be flown on all King George III’s forts and castles, but not elsewhere.
5. The Union Flag is flown on Government buildings on special days, such as birthdays of members of the Royal Family, Commonwealth Day, Coronation Day, The Queen’s official birthday, Remembrance Day and on the days of the State Opening and prorogation of Parliament.
6. The decision to fly the Union Flag on public buildings is made by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport at The Queen’s command.
7. The Union Flag is flown above Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Sandringham when The Queen is not in residence.

So there we are. If you have facts to add, why not pop them in the comments box below.

The current Coronavirus pandemic means sadly we can’t celebrate with parades, concerts and street parties, but we hope however you celebrate this VE Day, this bank holiday, it is a heart-filled and patriotic family occasion. Even better if it includes cake, tea and a little sunshine.

Thinking of adding a flagpole and flag to your home? Why not visit our website to view our range of  garden flagpoles and flags: https://flagpoles.co.uk/flagpoles/flagpoles-and-flags-for-your-home/

Sources:

https://www.royal.uk/union-jack, https://www.veday75.org/

https://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/uk-flags/the-union-jack-or-the-union-flag/