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
Jersey is granted its own flag
- Although it had flown a red saltire for some time, it wasn't until the 1980s that Jersey finally, officially, got its own flag.
- Read more…
A motorist is killed on a Jersey level crossing
- When a car got stuck on a Jersey level crossing, it was sliced in half by an oncoming train, which also killed the driver.
- Read more…
Jersey-born Commissioner of Singapore dies
- Jersey-born Arthur de la Mare was Commissioner of Singapore at the point the country gained its independence from Britain.
- Read more…
Parishioners break into belfry demanding to hear bells
- When a vicar refused to have the bells rung at Christmas, his Jersey congregation broke into the belfry to make their demands.
- Read more…