UK Flag and Country History

Study Notes

The flag of the United Kingdom is called the Union Jack.
The United Kingdom originally included Ireland, but since 1922, it only includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

England's flag features a red cross on a white background (Cross of St. George).
Scotland's flag features a white saltire on a blue background (Cross of St. Andrew).
Northern Ireland's flag features a red saltire on a white background (Cross of St. Patrick).
Wales' national symbol is the daffodil.
Scotland's national symbol is the thistle.
England's national symbol is the rose.
Ireland's national symbol is the shamrock.
Canada's national symbol is the maple leaf.

Eisteddfod is a traveling art festival in Wales, celebrating Welsh literature, music, and performance.
The festival was first identified as a bardic tradition in the 6th century and aims to further the Welsh language.
Kilt accessories include shoelaces, a knife, and a cravat.
Irish stepdance is a traditional Irish dance characterized by a stiff upper body and quick foot movements.
Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish music and dance.
Feises are vibrant dance competitions for young people.

The United States has a president and two main political parties.
Canada has a prime minister and five political parties.
The US uses the American dollar, while Canada uses the Canadian dollar.
The US has a higher crime rate and a culture of gun ownership, whereas Canada is considered safer.
The US and Canada have different spellings and vocabulary (e.g., "color" vs. "colour", "z" vs. "zi").
The national animal of the US is the eagle, while Canada's national animal is the beaver.

The Stolen Generation refers to the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families by the Australian government between 1905 and the 1970s.
National Sorry Day is an annual holiday to acknowledge the historical persecution of Aboriginals and raise awareness of indigenous populations.
Aboriginal tools include the boomerang (hunting) and didgeridoo (music).
Aboriginal "dreaming" refers to legends and oral traditions that explain their way of life and the world around them.
The Aboriginal population makes up approximately 2.5% of Australia's population.