The Flag of The United Kingdom

The history of the Union Jack begins in 1606, following the union of the crowns of England and Scotland under King James VI of Scotland (who became James I of England). Initially, the flag combined only the English and Scottish flags. It wasn't until 1801, with the Act of Union 1800 which unified Great Britain and Ireland into the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, that the red saltire of Saint Patrick was added to represent Ireland. The current design has remained the same since, even after the partition of Ireland in 1921 when the Irish Free State (now the Republic of Ireland) seceded from the United Kingdom. It continues to symbolize the unity of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom.