On today’s date in 1980, Newfoundland and Labrador adopted its provincial flag.
The previous summer, Canada’s Post Office Department (now Canada Post) featured the provincial and territorial flags of Canada on its “Provincial and Territorial Flags” issue (Scott #821-832). Included in the issue was a 17-cent stamp (SC #830) featuring Newfoundland’s flag, which – at the time – was the Union Jack. Printed by Ashton-Potter, the multi-coloured stamp has general tagging on two opposite edges.
Issued in 12-stamp panes, the stamps depict the flags of the 12 provinces and territories that made up Canada in 1979. The following year, Newfoundland and Labrador adopted its own flag to replace the Union Jack, which it had used since 1931.
In 1999, the territory of Nunavut was established.
The flags of the 12 provinces and territories making up Canada in 1979 are featured on the issue’s 12-stamp panes, four of which exist depending on the position of the corner inscription (Scott #832a shown).
THE UNION FLAG
The Union Jack (also known as the Union Flag) was adopted by Newfoundland in 1931 and used as its national flag until joining the Confederation in 1949.
Three years later, the province readopted the Union Jack as its official flag.
Newfoundland artist Christopher Pratt designed the current flag of Newfoundland and Labrador, which was flown for the first time on Discovery Day—June 24, 1980.