Flag of NATO

History

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established on April 4, 1949, when twelve nations signed the North Atlantic Treaty to counteract the threat from the Soviet Union. The first flag used by NATO was unveiled October 5, 1951, by Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, who helped design it. The 1951 flag consisted of a green field with the coat of arms of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), which still uses the flag.

The first flag attracted criticism from US Congressman John Travers Wood, who condemned it as a "strange and alien rag" after an incident where the flag of the United States was allegedly replaced by the NATO flag in Norfolk, Virginia, the headquarters of the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic.

NATO began looking for an emblem to differentiate it from SHAPE, a task handled by the newly formed Information Policy Working Group. After several discussions, it concluded that a flag for the organization containing its emblem was necessary, and that it would recommend this to the North Atlantic Council. The council stipulated that the design had to be "simple and striking," in addition to highlighting the "peaceful purpose" of the Treaty; several proposals were rejected.

The modern flag was first hoisted on November 9, 1953, at the opening ceremony of the Atlantic Exhibition in Paris. However, little is known about the occasion, since no documentation of the speech delivered at the event exists.

Design

The colors of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The dark blue field represents the Atlantic Ocean, while the circle stands for unity among the member states of NATO. The compass rose symbolizes the direction towards the path of peace, the goal that member states strive for; it has been updated once.

References

References

1. "Archived copy".
2. Cavendish, Richard. (1999). "The Founding of NATO". History Today.
3. (6 October 1951). "NATO Flag is Raised at Ike Headquarters". Cincinnati Enquirer.
4. (April 18, 1952). "Idaho Lawmaker Raps NATO Flag". The Spokesman-Review.
5. "The Birth of the Emblem". North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
6. (November 9, 1953). "NATO: The Colors".
7. "Visual Identity Guidelines". North Atlantic Treaty Organization.