Showing posts with label Europe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Europe. Show all posts

August 23 - Ukrainian Flag Day

   Posted on August 23, 2022     

This is an update of my post published on August 23, 2011:



Ukraine was one of the nations that had been absorbed into the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. When the USSR collapsed in 1991, Ukraine became independent. The blue-and-yellow flag of earlier times, including a short-lived republic in 1918, was resurrected.

People explain the colors by saying that the blue represents the sky over a yellow wheat field or a field of Ukraine's national flowers - the sunflower. Another explanation is that the yellow represents golden roofs of churches and the blue the river Dniper. More simply, some people say that blue and yellow represent water and fire.



Above, churches in Kiev.
Below, the Dniper.


Other nations with blue-and-yellow flags include Sweden (a yellow Scandinavian cross on a blue field), Palua (a golden full moon on blue sky), and Kazakhstan (a golden sun and eagle on blue sky, plus some more golden decorations on the hoist side).




One of the most important flags in the world is the European Union:


Tomorrow Ukraine will celebrate its independence!

Of course, we cannot talk about Ukraine without AGAIN saying that the horrific invasion by Putin and the Russian military is wholly wrong; Ukraine is wholly innocent; and it must stop!



Like other nations, Ukraine has
beautiful scenery and buildings
- and we hope it will soon be a
peaceful place that Ukrainians
can enjoy again!







 

Also on this date:








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August 22 - Russian Flag Day

   Posted on August 22, 2022     

This is an update of my post published on August 22, 2011:



Today Russians commemorate the 1991 hoisting of their new flag.

You probably already know that Russia used to be largest state in the communist nation called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

Did you also know that Russia is the largest nation on Earth? It covers about one-eighth of all the land area in the world, which means that most of the other 195 other nations do not have their “fair share” of land!

Of course, Russia is only the 9th largest nation by population.


This map cuts off parts of Russia (in the north) - but you get
the idea. Russia's vast land houses fewer people than much-
much-much smaller Bangladesh!


Unlike the Soviet Union's red flag (seen above), which was almost entirely red, decorated with a yellow star, hammer, and sickle, Russia's flag features three broad stripes, one each of red, white and blue. Of course, these colors are associated with the U.S. flag, as well...but did you know that more than 30 countries have tri-color red-white-and-blue flags? Here are some of them:


This website has tons and tons of links you can use to learn about the Russian language and other aspects of this huge nation. 




I cannot talk about Russia without restating that its horrible leader, Vladimir Putin, has wrongfully invaded Ukraine and has killed many innocent people. Russia's government is guilty of crimes against humanity, and its military is guilty of war crimes. It must stop!




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August 2 - Ilinden AND Day of the Republic in North Macedonia

    Posted on August 2, 2022     


This is an update of my post published on August 2, 2011:



On this day in 1903, Macedonians rose up in the Ilinden Uprising
against the harsh rule of the Ottoman Empire. For a while, they were successful, but soon the Ottoman forces crushed the rebellion and took revenge by killing people and destroying thousands of homes.

Ilinden Memorial


And on this day in 1944, the Republic of Macedonia was established. It was part of the communist nation of Yugoslavia.

It wasn't until 1991 that Macedonia was able to establish true independence, as Soviet-backed Yugoslavia broke apart. Independence day on September 8 celebrates this 1991 beginning of the modern Republic of Macedonia; still, August 2 is also celebrated as a patriotic public holiday.

In 2019, a dispute with Greece over the name Macedonia was settled, and the Republic of Macedonia became the Republic of North Macedonia.


Don't you love the flag of North Macedonia?


Do you know where North Macedonia is?


North Macedonia is a small landlocked nation on the Balkan peninsula in eastern Europe. Its neighbors include Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Albania.










When was Macedonia powerful?


In ancient times, in the 300s B.C.E., Philip II of Macedon conquered nearby lands and made them a part of his kingdom. His son, Alexander the Great, conquered even more lands and built up the kingdom even larger—as a matter of fact, Macedonia was one of the largest empires of ancient history. Alexander the Great was undefeated in battle and is considered one of the most successful military commanders of ALL time!


Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia
(facial reconstruction)












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