Have you also been wondering why the british flag is called "Union Jack"? Or why it looks like it does? Here are the answers:
The Union Jack how we know it got it's looks in 1801 when the Union
of Great Britain and Ireland was formed. All in all it practicaly unites
three national flags. The red cross on white background of St. George
which still is the flag of England and the white altire on blue
background also known as St. Andrews cross that still is the flag of
Scotland already formed the first union flag beginning from 1606. Later
on in 1801 the the red saltire (x-shaped cross) on white background of
St. Patricks flag that used to be the flag of the Island of Ireland
joined the other two.
The name Union Jack first came up in 1674. Before that the word
"Jack" was used to refere to the maritime bow flag. After 1627 this
usually was a small version of the union flag. So while it officially
was called "his Majesty's Jack" people started calling it simply "the
Union Jack".
As my title already hints I spent the last summer in Britain.
From
May until September I worked as an Au-pair for a very nice family in
Winchester, Hampshire. But I did not just take care of the two sweetest
an loveable kids ever I also tried to get to see as muchfrom the
country as possible.
For this purpose I couldn't imagine a better time than the past few months.
Not only was I allowed to celebrate the queens Diamond Jubilee
together with her and all the citizens I also was able to be in London
when the Olympics where there. I was engrossed in britains battle for
the European Football Cup, I saw the Olympic Torch on it's way through
the country and I at least "tried" to see the great Thames Pageant.
Beside the big and historical events that took part in the UK this
summer I also visited Oxford, with it's important and well-known
colleges, I stroked wild pony's at the new forest, I explored some of
the old castles, I took part in a real british tea-party, by bathing in
the ice cold water of the british channel I got an idea about how Jack
from Titanic must have felt and I learned a lot about the british
history by visiting many other places.
All in all I have to say, that it was not only a great summer for britain but also a great one for me.
