On this day in 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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Yesterday…
Jersey and Guernsey papers agree to merge
The saga of the Guernsey Press and Jersey Evening Post had been running for over nine years by the time the two agreed to merge in 1998.
States of Jersey buys Springfield Stadium
Spingfield Stadium is home to many large sporting events on Jersey. It was acquired by the States in December 1994.
Jersey Airways flew its first commercial flight between Jersey and Portsmouth on 18 December 1933, just nine days after it was founded.
Tomorrow…
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.