10th December 1980
Jersey is granted its own flag
Although Jersey had long flown a red saltire – a stretched red X on a white background – it wasn’t until the early 1980s that it was officially granted its own flag.
Settling on a design not greatly different to that which it had used before, the flag approved by the Queen on 10 December 1980 sported a narrower saltire, still red, with a shield in the upper quadrant. Topped by a yellow crown, the red shield bears three Norman leopards. To make sure the flag is flown the right way around, the leopards should always be looking towards the flagpole.
The flag wasn’t flown right away, though, as it wasn’t officially adopted until 7 April 1981, four years after the decision had been made to search for a new design that would better distinguish the island on the world stage.
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Other events that occured in December
Author and Chinese army chief William Mesny dies
- William Mesney was born in the Channel Islands and became a distinguished officer in the Chinese army.
- Read more…
Militiaman dies after he’s thrown from his horse
- When a Jersey militiaman's horse was startled by a slamming door, it threw him off, and the militiaman died of his injuries.
- Read more…
Occupation government head, Alexander Coutanche, dies
- Alexander Coutanche was head of the civil government in Jersey through the Occupation of the Second World War.
- Read more…
Jersey holds its first election by secret ballot
- In 1891 Jersey held its first. Centenier election in which elector’s votes were private. The law introducing secret ballots was passed ten months earlier
- Read more…
