January 2008 insideBritannica get inside: Flags of the World Flags are among the most identifiable and recognizable objects in the world. They have been used for thousands of years, first mainly as military banners, but now as symbols of countries, states and provinces, and organizations. They often evoke strong feelings and passions: pride, patriotism, anger, hate, nostalgia. Flags can be almost synonymous with a country (e.g., the United States flag), an organization (the Olympic flag), or with a historical period (the swastika flag of Nazi Germany). Everywhere there is great interest in flags, both as symbols and as design objects. Go Inside Britannica to learn more about the origins of famous flags. Historical and National Flags   Banners and standards Heraldic banners and standards were precursors to national flags. National flag of France The French Tricolor influenced many other national flag designs. (Also see: France article) National flag of the United Kingdom The Union Jack is a design element on many national, state and provincial, and territorial flags. (Also see: United Kingdom article) National flag of Ghana The first subsaharan African country to gain independence, its flag uses "pan-African" colours. (Also see: Ghana article) National flag of Comoros This flag is representative of one influencd by Islamic precepts and imagery. (Also see: Comoros article) National flag of the former U.S.S.R. This flag became synonymous with international communism and was the model for other communist flags. (Also see: U.S.S.R article) The Nazi German flag The Nazi flag is probably the world's most widely recognized symbol of evil, intolerance, and persecution. Flags of the United States, Canada, and Australia   National flag of the United States of America Undoubtedly one of the world's best-known national flags. (Also see: United States article) State flag of Vermont Representative of the common design style that incorporates the state seal or coat of arms on the flag. (Also see: Vermont article) State flag of New Mexico The starkly simple New Mexico flag consists of a yellow field with a red Zia Indian sun as its central symbol. (Also see: New Mexico article) National flag of Canada The last in a series of redesigns of the national flag, this flag known for its distinctive central red maple leaf. (Also see: Canada article) Provincial flag of Quebec Representative of the strong connection to France in this largely French-speaking province with its use of fleur-de-lis emblems. (Also see: Quebec article) Territorial flag of Nunavut The newest Canadian provincial flag, containing many symbols of this far northern territory. (Also see: Nunavut article) National flag of Australia One of many flags worldwide to incorporate the British Union Jack into their design. (Also see: Australia article) State flag of Queensland Representative of a flag using the British Blue Ensign that uses a local badge in the design. (Also see: Queensland article) Flag of Australian Capital Territory Flag that combines the stylized Southern Cross of the national flag with Canberra's coat of arms. (Also see: Australian Capital Territory article) Flags of International Organizations   Flag of the Olympic movement Among the world's most recognized flags, it is flown at all Olympic Games. (Also see: Olympic Games article) Flag of the United Nations Also among the world's most recognized flags, its emblem symbolizes global peace. (Also see: United Nations article) Flag of the European Union Represents the organization that promotes common economic, social, and security policies among 27 European countries. Flag of the Organization of American States Symbolizes economic, military, and cultural cooperation among its members. This Month's Top Searches: primary election | Barack Obama | Mike Huckabee Free Web Training for Britannica Online Subscribers! See what's new with Britannica Online! Both Children's and Reference Librarians are invited to participate in a complimentary online Britannica training session! You do not even have to leave the library for this 1-hour live presentation where you will learn ways to help both children and adults find answers to their questions and get started on their projects using special Britannica Online features. Presentations will be conducted at 11 a.m. Central Time on these upcoming dates: Thursday, February 14th Tuesday, March 11th Thursday, April 17th Sign up now! Space is limited, and only current Britannica Online subscribers can attend. You can invite others to join you for this presentation, especially if you can project the presentation onto a screen for them to see. Please submit only one registration per location for each date. You will be surprised at how much there is to discover! Astronauts land on the moon and plant the U.S. flag on its surface. Acquired from Vast Video View Video The Canadian national flag and anthem. Copyright © 2004 AIMS Multimedia (www.aimsmultimedia.com) View Video Note: Videos and animations may require Quicktime, Windows Media, or Real Player. The Cult of Leadership & Nationalism Run Amuck by Ilan Stavans The cult of politicians as celebrities concerns me. The presumption is that biography is fate: the more the public knows about who the candidates are, the more informed it will be when time comes to make a choice at the voting booth. For me the misguided exercise goes by another name: the cult of leadership… (read more) The Britannica Blog is a place to share smart, lively conversations on just about any topic. Celebrate Black History with Britannica! Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to Black History presents a vast array of articles, hundreds of images, and a wide assortment of multimedia clips. This guide traces two millennia of black history, and the browse features enable you to pinpoint the central people, places, topics, and events covered in Black History. This Spotlight has biographies on people such as Alvin Ailey, Matthew Henson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Hank Aaron. In addition, there is a subject browse that allows the user to look up people, places, issues, and events based on topic. Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to Black History represents an effort to trace the African American experience and achievements in the United States and elsewhere. See it now! Pictured: Flag of Vatican City. All national flags except one are rectangular, with two of them (Switzerland and Vatican City) constituting perfect squares. The one exception is the flag of Nepal, which is pennant-shaped. 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