Download - Made In Jamaica Catalogue

1962: the year of our independence
August 6th 1962 was a monumental day for Jamaica. It was the date
we gained Independence from Britain, proclaimed our National Motto as
“Out of many, one people”, and adopted our uniquely noticeable flag.
After a national competition to design a flag was declared, a joint
bipartisan committee from both Houses of Parliament selected a winner.
It was to have horizontal green stripes at the top and bottom, yellow
stripes resting inside those of the green, with a black band in the
centre. However, it was rejected because of its similarity to the then
flag of Tanganyika (now part of Tanzania). Eventually, a gold saltire
(diagonal cross), which divides the current flag into four sections,
was decided upon. Green would rest in the top and bottom triangles,
and black in those of the hoist and fly. Black would reflect hardships,
green was to represent the land, and gold to recall the shining sun.
How the design was reached is up for debate. A Scot, John McGhie,
insists that while living in Jamaica with his parents, his father, the Presbyterian
Minister Reverend William McGhie, discussed the layout with
his friend, and Jamaican Prime Minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante. As
Jamaica was a Christian country, McGhie suggested that the flag bear
a cross. Tracing the Scottish flag, McGhie demonstrated his vision,
and coloured it in green, black and gold.
The Jamaican flag is unique because it is one, out of four national
flags, which contains a saltire. The others are those of Grenada,
Scotland, and The United Kingdom. And if you take a glance at
groups of national flags together, you will easily identify ours. It is one
of the only ones which does not include any red, white or blue.
16
OUR UNIQUE FLAG
by Emma Sharp Dalton-Brown
Port Antonio Infant School and Dance (Courtesy of National Library of Jamaica)
Right: Prime Minister Bustamante with Vice President Lyndon Johnson of the USA who came for the
Independence events (Courtesy of The Gleaner Co. Ltd.)
www.jamaicacatalogue.com
Downtown Kingston ready for Independence Celebration (Courtesy of The
Gleaner Co. Ltd.)
Independence Float, Vere Clarendon (Courtesy of The Gleaner Co. Ltd.)
The leader of the Opposition, Mr. Norman Manley and Mrs. Manley arrive at the
flag raising ceremony at the National Stadium, 5th August 1962
(Courtesy of National Library of Jamaica)