Adopted in 1964. The flag of Malta has two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red. In the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red. According to legend, the colors are taken from the red and white checkered banner of Count Roger of Sicily who removed a bi-colored corner and granted it to Malta in 1091. An uncontested explanation is that the colors are those of the Knights of Saint John who ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798. In 1942, King George VI of the United Kingdom awarded the George Cross to the islanders for their exceptional bravery and gallantry in World War II. Since independence in 1964, the George Cross bordered in red has appeared directly on the white field. (ref: CIA World Factbook)