1978 – 10th Anniversary of Raising of the Flag
10th Anniversary of Raising of the Flag
11 November 1978
After the dissolution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland on 31 December 1963, subsequent (Southern) Rhodesian governments continued to negotiate with the British Government on the subject of independence, with the Rhodesians arguing that they should receive independence on the same basis as had been granted to the other Federation territories, Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia.
However, neither side was willing to compromise on the subject of African majority rule and consequently the white minority government of Ian Smith declared a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) on 11 November 1965.
The Southern Rhodesia light blue ensign continued to be used for three years after UDI until it became apparent that the political deadlock would not be quickly resolved. To signify the severing of its colonial links Rhodesia adopted a new flag on 11 November 1968 – being green, white and green with the national Coat of Arms (adopted by Royal Warrant on 11 August 1924) in the centre of the white stripe.
1 September 1979 was the last day of the Rhodesian flag, when it was replaced by the flag of Zimbabwe Rhodesia.
