Why the Flag?

“Strong in our friendship tried by fire, long may our crimson flag inspire – shining in glory for all men to see.” This is the final chapter of the Russian flag, 1917-1991.

Part I of II. How did the backwater Duchy of Moscow rise to become one of the largest land empires in history and claim the legacy of the Byzantine Empire? This is the surprising true story of the white, blue, and red imperial tricolor flag of Russia – and the Tsar's "Third Rome." 862AD–1917.

The history of the Albanian flag is a story of invasion and rebellion, conversion and conquest. We also explore the extraordinary life of the flag's designer, Skanderbeg: the warlord who led the Albanians against the Ottoman Empire under the double-eagle flag of revolution.

Part II of II. “From black night, through red blood, towards the golden sun.” This is the final chapter of the history of the German flag, 1871-1990.

Part I of II. Empires and petty kingdoms. Death camps and democracies. Fascism and forgiveness – and Germany's clash between imperialism, tyranny, and freedom. This is the story of the black, red, and gold tricolor of the Federal Republic of Germany, 112AD-1871.

**Trailer for our brand-new two-part series on The German Flag: The Fall & Rise of the Bundesflagge. Part I coming soon!

A Moorish caliphate becomes a Christian empire. And a once fascist state adopts a flourishing – if disunited – democracy. This is the story of the violent, bloody, and beautiful history of the red-and-gold flag of the Kingdom of Spain.

Why did the Vikings of Scandinavia swap the raven flag of Oden for the cross of those they conquered? This is the tale of the blood-red flag of Dannebrog – and the centuries-long battle for the souls of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and all of Europe.

Where does the Y Ddraig Goch – the red dragon of Wales – come from? History only tells us half the story. We have to dive into the ancient Celtic legends of Uther Pendragon, King Arthur, and Merlin to discover the truth about the red dragon's rise.

Is the Hawaiian state flag a symbol of annexation and occupation? Or is it one of reconciliation? This is the story of the Hawaiian flag, the last remnant of a once-proud kingdom sitting on the western shores of the American empire.

Fallen tyrants. New republics. And radical ideas like liberty, equality, and fraternity. This is the history of the Tricolour: the three-color revolutionary flag of republican France.

Welcome to the first episode of Why the Flag? We ask, where does the flag come from – and how did this symbol take over our world? Plus, we discuss the Battle of Teutoburg Forest, and how three lost Roman flags spelled disaster for generations. (Re-recorded April 2020)

How did flags take over our world? Where did they come from? What do they mean? Join the conversation as we ask, why the flag?