Jack of the United States facts for kids
The Jack of the United States, showing 50 white stars on a blue field.
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| Name | Union Jack |
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| Proportion | 71:100 |
| Adopted | 1777 (first design idea) July 4, 1960 (current design) July 4, 2019 (re-adopted by most ships) |
| Design | 50 white five-pointed stars on a blue field, arranged in 9 rows, alternating between 6 and 5 stars. |
The jack of the United States, also known as the Union Jack by the U.S. Navy, is a special flag. It is flown on the front (called the bow) of U.S. ships when they are stopped or anchored. This flag is used by many U.S. government groups. These include the U.S. Coast Guard, the Military Sealift Command, and ships from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
When a ship is anchored, the jack flies at the bow. The main national flag, called the ensign, flies at the back (the stern). Once the ship starts moving, the jack is taken down.
The Union Jack was first used on June 14, 1777. This was the same day the U.S. national flag was adopted. Since then, the jack has always looked like the top-left corner (the canton) of the national flag. As new states joined the U.S., new stars were added to both the national flag and the Union Jack.
For many years, a different flag called the First Navy Jack was also used. This flag has a rattlesnake and a motto. It was sometimes flown instead of the Union Jack for special events or periods. For example, it was used from 2002 to 2019 during the Global War on Terrorism.
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What is the U.S. Jack Flag?
For most of U.S. history, the main jack flag has been a blue square with white stars. This part is called the "union" from the U.S. national flag. This blue flag with white stars is known as the "Union Jack." It's important not to confuse it with the Union Jack of the United Kingdom, which has the same name but a different design.
Just like the U.S. national flag, the number of stars on the jack shows how many states are in the U.S. The rules for flying the jack are similar to the national flag. However, the jack is only flown at the front of the ship when it is anchored, tied up, or alongside a dock.
Before the Union Jack, some believe the first U.S. jack was the First Navy Jack. Its exact look from history is debated. Today, the Navy displays it with a rattlesnake and a special message.
Over the past few decades, the Union Jack has sometimes been replaced temporarily.
- From 1975 to 1976, the First Navy Jack was flown for the U.S. Bicentennial. This celebrated 200 years of the U.S.
- In 2000, submarines and their support ships flew a special jack. This was for the 100th anniversary of the first U.S. Navy submarine.
- From September 11, 2002, to June 4, 2019, most U.S. Navy warships flew the First Navy Jack. This was done during the Global War on Terrorism.
The oldest active warship in the U.S. Navy that is not used only for ceremonies (like the USS Constitution) or captured (like the USS Pueblo) gets to fly the First Navy Jack. This ship is the only one that flies a different jack than the Union Jack. Currently, this special ship is the USS Blue Ridge.
When and Where the Jack is Flown
The jack is flown on a short pole called a jackstaff. This happens from 8:00 AM until sunset when U.S. Navy ships are moored or at anchor. The jack must be the same size as the blue star section of the main flag flown at the back of the ship.
If a serious military court meeting (a general court-martial) or an investigation is happening, the jack is also flown from a high pole called a yardarm. If the main flag is at half mast (flown halfway down) to show respect or sadness, the jack is also flown at half mast. The jack is raised quickly and lowered slowly, just like the main flag. However, the jack is not "dipped" (briefly lowered and raised) when the main flag is dipped as a salute.
On February 21, 2019, the Navy decided that most U.S. Navy warships would go back to flying the 50-star Union Jack. This change happened on June 4, 2019.
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The design of the U.S. jack flag has changed over time, mostly as new states joined the country. Here's a look at how it has evolved:
| Stars | Design | Dates in general use | Notes |
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The very first jack had thirteen red and white stripes. It's often shown with a rattlesnake, but we're not sure if it always had one. |
| 13 |
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This was the first time the "union" design (blue field with white stars) was used for the jack. |
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Used during important early U.S. conflicts. |
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Used during the Civil War. |
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Used during the Spanish–American War. |
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Used during World War I and World War II. |
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| 50 |
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The 50-star jack was adopted after Hawaii became a state. |
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U.S. Navy ships used the First Navy Jack to celebrate the 200th birthday of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. |
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The 50-star jack was used again. The oldest active ship continued to fly the First Navy Jack. |
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The First Navy Jack was used by U.S. Navy ships during the Global War on Terrorism. Other U.S. government ships still used the 50-star jack. |
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The 50-star jack was brought back for most U.S. Navy warships. The oldest active ship still flies the First Navy Jack. |
Images for kids
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Jack of the USS Chesapeake in 1812.
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A ship on a quilt from the 1840s-1850s, flying a blue canton flag.
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The SS Tahoe flying a 48-star jack in 1919.
See also
