December 27, 2025 – European Union

Today, the flag of the European Union flies, along with the flag of Belgium, which is home to many of the principal institutions of the EU.

Quoting the flag page on European Union’s web site, the EU flag, “…symbolises both the European Union and, more broadly, the identity and unity of Europe. Much more than an institutional emblem, it stands for the values and shared identity of millions of Europeans united in their diversity. It features a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background. They stand for the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe. The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of EU countries, though the circle is a symbol of unity.”

The European Union union flag dates back to 1955, when it was adopted by the Council of Europe, which is the continent’s leading human rights organization. The Council of Europe’s parliamentary assembly unanimously approved the emblem of a circle of gold stars on a blue background on October 25, 1955. The organization’s Committee of Ministers adopted the star-studded flag on December 9, 1955, which was launched officially six days later in Paris.

In April 1983, the European Parliament proposed to adopt the flag for the European Communities, which would later become the EU. Two years later, in April 1985, EU leaders adopted the flag as the official emblem of the EC. In May 1986, the European flag is first raised outside the Berlaymont building, seat of the European Commission in Brussels.

Though the European Union doesn’t have an Official capital, the City of Brussels in Belgium is the de facto capital of the EU. Brussels hosts the official seats of the European Commission, Council of the European Union, and European Council, as well as the second seat of the European Parliament.

The current flag of Belgium dates back to the Belgian revolution of 1830. Initially, the stripes for horizontal, with red on top, yellow in the middle, and black on the bottom. In January 1831, the stripes were switched to vertical, with the red on the hoist. In October 1831, the flag attained its current form with the black stripe on the hoist. The official guide to protocol in Belgium states that the national flag measures 2.6 m (8.5 ft) tall for each 3 m (9.8 ft) wide, giving it a ratio of 13:15. Each of the stripes is one-third of the width of the flag.

And for you fans of 1970’s BBC Radio shows, quoting Zaphod Beeblebrox, “Oh, Belgium man, Belgium!”