MOSCOW, Aug 22: Russia is observing National Flag Day on August 22, commemorating the country’s tricolour as a key symbol of national unity, sovereignty and independence.National Flag Day was established by Presidential Decree in 1994. Alongside the national emblem and anthem, the white-blue-red tricolour represents Russia’s statehood and reflects the historical continuity of its multinational people.
The Russian tricolour has a history spanning more than three centuries. Peter the Great raised the flag as his personal standard in Arkhangelsk in 1693, while in 1705 he ordered the white-blue-red flag to be flown on Russian merchant ships.The tricolour was formally recognised as Russia’s national flag in 1896, ahead of the coronation of Emperor Nicholas II. A further milestone came on December 25, 2000, when Russia adopted the Federal Constitutional Law “On the State Flag of the Russian Federation,” defining the flag as three equal horizontal stripes of white, blue and red.
Over the centuries, the flag has become deeply associated with Russia’s history, statehood and national identity.On National Flag Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the national flag as a symbol of unity, stressing that Russia is a “thousand-year-old country and civilisation.
”“I am confident that the national flag will always inspire us to move only forward — towards victory — and to uphold the glory of Russia,” Putin said.The occasion is being marked across Russia as a tribute to the national tricolour and its enduring place in the country’s history and public life.
