Belarus Flag

Belarus Flag

Belarus Flag

A Belorussian state developed during the Middle Ages, chiefly around the town of Polotsk on the River Dvina. During the 13th century, Belorussia became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania before being joined with Poland in 1569 and then incorporated into the Russian Empire during the late 18th century. An upsurge in national consciousness began to manifest itself during the late 19th century and in 1918, during the Bolshevik Revolution, Belorussia declared itself an independent republic, although it failed to win international recognition. As a result, it was established as the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1919, one of the four founding republics of the U.S.S.R. Following the dissolution of the U.S.S.R., on 25 August, '991, Belorussia proclaimed its independence, in September of the same year voting to change its name to 'Republic of Belarus'.

The Belarus flag adopted in 1991 was of three stripes arranged in the order white-red-white, the traditional colors of Belyj Rus ('White Russia'). On 14 May, 1995, however, a referendum was held to determine whether Belarus should strengthen its ties with Russia, which also included a proposal for a new national Belarus flag. Endorsed by the people, the new white, green and red flag resembles the Belarusian flag that was flown when Belorussia was part of the U.S.S.R. (albeit without the hammer, sickle, and star emblems of communism) and in the design on the hoist ornamentation (which represents a traditional woven cloth), the red and white have been reversed.