Protectorate of Malta, 1800

In September 1800, the French garrison in Valletta surrendered, and Malta became a British Protectorate. On 20 August 1801, the British removed Saverio Cassar from power in Gozo and reunited the Maltese islands. Britain had adopted the Union Jack on 1 January 1801. It combined the English red St. George’s Cross on a white background with the Scottish St. Andrew’s Cross (a white saltire on a blue background) and the Irish St. Andrew’s Cross (a red saltire on a white background).