Slovakia Flag

Slovakia Flag

Slovakia Flag

Slovakia was part of Hungary from the 11th century until 1918, when it was united with the Czech lands of Bohemia and Moravia to form Czechoslovakia. In 1938, under pressure from the German dictator Adolf Hitler, Slovakia declared its independence, but instead became a puppet fascist state. Following a popular revolt against German rule and liberation in 1944, Czechoslovakia was re-established in 1945. In 1993, Slovakia and the Czech Republic separated to become independent states.

The first Slovakia flag was a red-and-white bicolor that was initially flown in April 1848 as a sign of Slovakia's demands for freedom from Austro-Hungarian rule. A blue stripe was added in August 1848 and the order of the colors was established in 1868. As Czechoslovakia, a red-and-white flag charged with a blue triangle was used, Slovakia re-adopting the tricolor during World War II, to the centre of which a red-and-blue shield, fabricated with white and containing a white Lorraine cross (an ancient Christian symbol), was added. Officially, the cross, which stands on three stylized hills representing the Tatra, Matra and Fatra mountains, symbolizes three saints: St Constantine and St Method (who were said to have brought the symbol to Slovakia), as well as St Benedict. The shield was moved nearer to the hoist in 1992.