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.
FREE Jersey history newsletter
Don't miss our weekly update on Jersey's fascinating history. We promise never to sell your data to anyone else, and there's a super-easy unsubscribe link on the bottom of each email so you can leave whenever you want.
Other events that occured in December
Man dies after being shot in the buttocks
- A man was shot in the buttocks in Jersey and died of his wounds after being prescribed alcohol to help ease the pain.
- 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…
TV naturalist wades into seagull row
- Plans to kill a playful seagull called Gulliver attracted the attention of a television naturalist, and the States of Jersey changed its plan.
- Read more…
Victoria College headmaster tried for beating boy
- The headmaster of a Jersey college stood trial for violently beating a boy who had copied an answer from the back of a text book.
- Read more…