In 1579, the union of seven provinces of the northern Netherlands Holland, Zeeland, Friesland, Groningen, Utrecht, Gelderland, and Overijssel that, as the United Provinces, became the basis of opposition to the Spanish crown and the foundation of the present-day Dutch state.
The George Cross was awarded by King George VI and originally appeared in a small blue canton. The present design dates from 1964 when the islands gained independence. Effective date: 21 September 1964.