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Flag of the Soviet Union facts for kids

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Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Names The Soviet flag, The Hammer and Sickle; The Red and Gold; The Red Banner
Use State flag, civil and state ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion 1:2
Adopted 12 November 1923 (original version)
15 August 1980 (last version used)
Relinquished December 1991
Design A plain red flag with a golden hammer and sickle and a gold-bordered red star in its upper canton.

The first official flag of the Soviet Union was adopted in December 1922 at the first congress of the Soviets' USSR. The red flag of the communist party was adopted as the national flag.

History

On 30 December 1922, the congress Declaration and Agreement on the establishment of the USSR. Article 22 of the Agreement states: 'the USSR has a flag, coat of arms and a state seal.'.

On 6 July 1923, it was decided that the flag was to consist of a red cloth with the state coat of arms of the Soviet Union in the centre. The unusual flag format 1:4 was selected. This flag was used however never to used very much and was only used officially for four months.

The third meeting of the Exekutive committees of the Soviet Union changed the flag on 12 November 1923 into the more well-known version. The more common format 1:2 was selected. The state coat of arms was replaced by a gold sickle and hammer, and a red five-pointed star bordered in gold above them.

Changes to the shape of the hammer and sickle and the shade of red were made in 1955. This design stayed the national flag until the break-up of the Soviet Union on 3 December 1991.

Images for kids

  • Construction sheet of the flag of the Soviet Union

    Official construction sheet for the State Flag of the USSR (1955–1991)

  • Raising a flag over the Reichstag 2

    The iconic photograph Raising a Flag over the Reichstag

  • Russian Power (6079327205)

    The Soviet flag along with an assortment of Russian and Soviet military flags

  • Soviet Flag Flying on Cupola - Museum of the Great Patriotic War - Minsk - Belarus (27426504532)

    The State Flag of the USSR flown atop the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum

  • Milovice may 1984 2

    The State Flag of the USSR (pictured in the foreground) leading the parade with flags of all 15 Soviet republics following from behind during a Victory Day parade in 1984

  • Checkpoint Charlie - Flagge

    One of the last Soviet flags flown on the Kremlin, displayed at the Checkpoint Charlie Museum in Berlin

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bandera de la Unión Soviética para niños

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Flag of the Soviet Union Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.