flag of Tuvalu

The British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands was divided in 1975 because the Melanesians dominating the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati) and the Polynesians on the Ellice Islands (now Tuvalu) preferred to have separate states. The new Tuvalu government was granted a coat of arms by British authorities on December 3, 1976. This was used on the Union Jack as a state flag and on the British Blue Ensign as a state ensign. On the third anniversary of separation from the Gilberts—October 1, 1978—Tuvalu became independent under a new national flag. Designed by Vione Natano, the flag was similar to that of nearby Fiji. The light blue background contained nine yellow stars representing the atolls and islands of the country. The Union Jack canton was symbolic of Tuvalu’s links with Britain and other Commonwealth members.

In 1995 advocates of a republican form of government were successful in introducing a new national flag from which the Union Jack was omitted. Hoisted on October 1, 1995, it had eight white stars spread across horizontal red-white-blue-white-red stripes. The national coat of arms appeared on a white triangle near the hoist. Those opposed to a republic were successful in forcing a reversion to the original independence flag on April 11, 1997. They were supported by many who felt that the change in the flag had been disrespectful toward Queen Elizabeth II.