Showing posts with label Flag Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flag Day. 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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July 31 - La Hae Hawaii

  Posted on July 31, 2022     


This is an update of my post published on July 31, 2011:




Today is Hawaiian Flag Day. The flag is unexpected, at least to me—it doesn't seem to catch the island flavor or the Pacific/Asian ancestry of many Hawaiians—and it features a British “Union Jack” in one corner!

But in 1816 this flag was commissioned by King Kamehameha the Great to show Hawaii's close ties with Great Britain. The eight red-white-and-blue stripes stand for Hawaii's eight major islands.

This flag represented Hawaii as the flag of the Hawaiian Kingdom, as the Republic of Hawaii, and as the territory of Hawaii. Now it represents the State of Hawaii.



Celebrate Hawaii!


Eight major islands? 

I bet most folks cannot name more than four to six Hawaiian islands! Without looking it up, I can think of six:

Oahu - The capital city of Honolulu is located on this island



Diamond Head mountain

Maui - Famous for the dormant volcano Haleakala and the road to Hana


Above, clouds fill Haleakala's crater.
Below, the road to Hana is dotted with falls and pools.



Kawai - Famous for the Napali Coast with its dramatic cliffs 


The Big Island - Famous for the active volcanos and destructive/constructive lava flows 


Lava is destructive when it covers and burns
existing forests, homes, and roads.
Lava is also constructive, too; the Hawaiian
islands are, after all, entirely made up of 
cooled lava, and fresh new lava makes
them larger. A new island is being created,
even as we speak, about 18 miles away
from the Big Island. It is still a long time
in the making; the top of that newest
island is still about 3,000 feed underwater,
and scientists think it will take around 50,000
years for the island to arise from the sea!




Lanai - also known as Pineapple Island


I read that Lanai used to provide about 75% of the
world's pineapples!

Molokai - of the six largest islands, this one may be the least developed and therefore most pristine and secluded



Here are the two lesser-known main islands:

Kahoolawe—“The Target Isle” - this island was used as target practice for U.S. military!


This was the drop site for around 500 tons of TNT!

Niihau—“The Forbidden Isle” - basically,  forbidden to outsiders in oder to keep it Hawaiian


This is THE least developed and most secluded of the
eight main islands, because the owners keep it that way!

And what about the minor islands? Turns out, there are 137 islands (including atolls) in Hawaii!!


These are the eight major island...
And here are some others:




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