OceaniaGenWeb ...your gateway to Genealogy Research in Oceania

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is in need of a coordinator.  If you might be interested please contact us by using the link to the left.

In 1885 the islands Ralik and the rest of the Marshall Islands came officially into German hands, who entrusted their development to the so-called Jaluit Company ("Jaluit Gesellschaft") that used another flag (based on the national German of the era), until the monopoly of the company ceased and the German colony was created on 1906-04-01.

The flag was adopted (presumably by a native government under German influence) 1878-11-20 Suppressed in 1885. The deep blue background represents the Pacific Ocean. The white and orange bands representing the Ratak (Sunrise) and Ralik (Sunset) chains, respectively. The customary symbolism of orange as the color of bravery and white as the color of peace are also recognized. The star represents the cross of Christianity, with each of the 24 points signifying a municipal district of the RMI. The four main points represent the major centers of Majuro, Ebeye, Jaluit and Wotje.

Part of the Federated States of Micronesia: 1962-85. The Bikini Atoll (and two near atolls) adopted in 1987 a protest flag to recall to the American government its responsibility in the nuclear pollution and its obligations to the islanders.