The Union Flag, or Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom.

— The Union Jack, the official flag of Britain since 1801, is really three separate flags in one, for it combines the English cross of St George

Thousands of rare ice balls appear on Michigan beach. When the ‘Union Jack’ was first introduced in 1606, it was known simply as the ‘British flag’ or ‘flag of Britain’ and was ordered to be flown at the main masthead of all ships, warships and merchant ships – English and Scottish. The first use of ‘Union’ was some 20 years later. But this idea is recent. The US Navy also has a flag called the Union Jack when so flown. Why is the British flag called the ‘Union Jack’? The Union Jack is flown from the jack-staff, which is a spar on the bow of a sailing ship, and some say that the only time that the flag should be called the Union Jack is when it is flown from a ship's jack-staff. It is commonly believed that the Union Jack is so called because it is flown from a "jackstaff". The royal decree from the king did not state that the flag had to be called the Union Jack. The Union Jack is so called because it is the Union Flag flown from a jack staff of a ship. The Union Flag, or Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom. It is called a "jack", because that is an old naval term for a flag that shows nationality. When introduced in 1606 it was just called the British Flag. Why is the the Union Jack called the Union Jack? So when the Union flag was flown at sea it … The flag raised by Govenor Philip on the first Australian Day, 26 January 1788, was this version of the Union Jack. Answer. But this idea is recent. The Union Jack The Union Flag - commonly known as "The Union Jack". This far-reaching influence is still seen today in the incorporation of the Union Jack in other national flags such as that of Australia. The Union Flag is so called because it embodies the emblems of the three countries united under one Sovereign - the kingdoms of England and Wales, of Scotland and of Ireland. Aside from the UK, the Union Jack is also the official flag of British Overseas Territories.In addition, the flag appears on the upper left-hand region of the flags of some countries, especially those that were once colonies of Britain.