THE STORY OF THE UNION FLAG

Qui di seguito, estrapolate da alcuni siti web, potrete trovare alcune notizie essenziali che riguardano la nascita dell'attuale bandiera del Regno Unito.

Si possono trovare altre valide informazioni on-line.

Alla fine vengono proposte due schede che possono essere utilizzate nelle classi 4^ e 5^.

STORY

The formation of the Union Flag (Union Jack) came about as the result of the progressive merging of the inhabitants of the British Isles under one throne.

1603 - King James VI of Scotland inherited the English throne and became King James I of England.

1606 - the National Flags of Scotland and England were united for use at sea (A problem arose, which flag should be hoisted on the king's ships. English sailors resented the Scottish colours and the Scots scorned the cross of St. George .), thus making the first Union Flag.

1707 - during the reign of Queen Anne, the first Union Flag was by royal proclamation made the National flag of Great Britain, for use ashore and afloat.

1801 - Ireland was united with Great Britain and the present Union Flag was formed.

The Union Flag consists of the three heraldic crosses of St George, St Andrew and St Patrick.

The flags of the Patron Saints of England, Scotland and Ireland are represented on the Union Flag. But, why is Wales not represented on the Union Flag?
Because when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, Wales was already united with England from the 13th century.

How to fly the Union flag correctly
The broader (wider) diagonal white stripe should be at the top on the side of the flag nearest the flagpole.

CORRECT WAY and WRONG WAY

The UK flag is NOT entirely symmetrical! You can rotate the flag and it still will be the right way up but you can't invert it (not refective symmetry).
Look at the white diagonals and you will see why.

WRONG!

When is the Union Flag Flown?
The Union Flag is flown on government buildings on days marking:
the birthdays of members of the Royal family,
Commonwealth Day,
Coronation Day,
The Queen's official birthday,
Remembrance Day and
on the days of the State Opening and prorogation of Parliament.
It is also flown on St David's Day (Wales), St George's Day (England), St Andrew's Day (Scotland), and St Patrick's Day (Northern Ireland).

UNITED KINGDOM - flag -

Questo lavoro può essere svolto in una classe 3^ e può tornare utile per introdurre alcune caratteristiche tipiche del Regno Unito.
Il paragone con l'Italia farà emergere alcuni luoghi comuni, che dovranno essere sfatati, come il tempo metereologico (i bambini facilmente diranno che piove e c'è il sole in entrambe le nazioni ed è bene che si spighi loro che nel Regno Unito non sempre piove, come non sempre c'è il sole in Italia) .
Utilizzare nei titoli i colori tipici delle due bandiere aiuterà a memorizzarli, in modo particolare quelli della Union Jack (quelli della bandiera italiana ci si augura che già li conoscano).