The Flag of Malta
The flag of Malta consists of two vertical halves: white on the hoist side and red on the fly side. It also features a representation of the George Cross, edged in red, in the canton (upper hoist quarter) of the white stripe. The George Cross is a symbol of bravery and is one of the highest awards for gallantry in the United Kingdom and former British colonies. The proportions of the flag are traditionally 2:3.
History of The Flag of Malta
The flag of Malta has origins that trace back to the Norman invasion of 1091, when Count Roger I of Sicily granted the island a flag which was a simple bi-color of white and red quarters. This basic design has persisted through the centuries with variations over time. The current flag was adopted on September 21, 1964, the day Malta became independent from British rule. The George Cross was added to the flag's canton in 1943 by King George VI of the United Kingdom in recognition of the Maltese people's bravery during World War II, specifically their heroism during the Siege of Malta. The George Cross award was originally bestowed upon the entire island, and incorporating it into the national flag was a way to honor this collective act of valor.