Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations

Today 9 March 2015 is Commonwealth Day.

The Commonwealth first adopted its flag on 26 March 1976 and introduced a new pattern in November 2013.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Ottawa, Canada, in 1973 suggested the idea, developing it from car pennants.

Arnold Smith, the first Commonwealth Secretary-General, and Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau take credit for the initiative.

The 2013 pattern contains a number of small but significant changes to the original.

The globe is now tilted slightly.

The number of ‘spearheads forming the surrounding ‘C for Commonwealth’ motif has gone from 64 to 34.

Finally, the colour of the field changed from Pantone 286 to Pantone 280, making it a slightly lighter blue.

The 2013 pattern exists in two versions: a standard 3:5 version and a 1:2 version.

Every British Overseas Territory has a 1:2 ratio flag.

Bonus fact: Commonwealth Day is not a fixed date but takes place on the second Monday of March each year.

Author: Alex Crouch, Flag Institute accredited journalist (2015/16).