The term "Republic of Newfoundland" was invented by Snuffy Jackson, a graphic artist from St.John's, Newfoundland in 1982. The creation of the first Republic of Newfoundland graphic showed the 1843 Newfoundland Tricolor flag, encircled with a gold ring and the words Republic of Newfoundland printed in the ring. This graphic was put on T-Shirts and sold in the St. John's area. The term "Republic of Newfoundland" spread and with it, a lot of misunderstanding. Many people came to believe that Newfoundland had been a Republic. It had not. Many people came to believe that the 1843 Newfoundland Tricolor flag was the flag of this Republic. It was not. But, the symbol stuck and has since become a rallying point for those who want to display their Newfoundland independence or to protest governmental policies.Snuffy Jackson 00:02, 6 July 2007 (UTC)