Adopted February 27, 1967, this flag dates from the achievement of self-government. It was the winning design in a competition that more than 500 local people entered.
The designer, Reginald Samuel, interpreted the flag as representing the sun rising against the background of the peoples’ African heritage in a new era. The overall V-shape stands for victory. It is on a red background that symbolizes the dynamism of the population. Blue signifies the sea and white, hope.
From 1632, until formal independence was granted in 1981, Antigua and its neighbor Barbuda were British colonies.