In 1776, George Washington unveiled the Grand Union Flag, the first national flag in America after King George III of England called on American forces to surrender.

CNN: Thursday,

Even the original flag of the United States, first raised in 1775 was "a jack with the union flag, and striped red and white in the field".

BBC: The union jack: A very complex flag

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said the union flag dispute and dissident republican violence underline the need for more political engagement.

BBC: Martin McGuinness in Easter Rising commemoration warning