Flag of Dominican Republic facts for kids

The flag of the Dominican Republic is a very important symbol for the country. It has a big white cross in the middle. This cross reaches all the way to the edges of the flag.

The white cross divides the flag into four parts, like a puzzle. The top left part is blue, and the bottom left part is red. On the right side, the top part is red, and the bottom part is blue. The white cross is about half as wide as one of these colored sections.

The main flag of the Dominican Republic also has a small coat of arms right in the center of the white cross. This is common for national flags in Latin America. However, flags used by commercial ships, called "ensigns," do not have this coat of arms.

How the Flag Was Born

The Dominican flag was first created on the very first day of the country's independence, which was February 27, 1844. It was inspired by the Haitian flag, but with a new addition: a white cross.

The first version of the flag had two blue sections at the top and two red sections at the bottom. The colors themselves, blue and red, came from the French flag. This was known as the First National Flag.

Changes Over Time

When the first Dominican Constitution was written on November 6, 1844, it didn't specifically say how the colors should be arranged. But from the very beginning, people used the flag with the colors alternating. This means it had blue and red at the top, and red and blue at the bottom. This became the Second National Flag.

It wasn't until the Constitution of 1908 that the exact order of the colors was officially written down. This made sure everyone knew how the flag should look.

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  This is the flag used by ships. It does not have the coat of arms.

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  This was the very first flag used by the Dominican Republic.

Images for kids

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  The Dominican Republic flag flying high.

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  Dominican flags at the National Pantheon of the Dominican Republic.

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  People protesting with Dominican flags in Santo Domingo.

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  The Dominican Army marching with flags on Independence Day.

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  Students proudly holding the 1844 Dominican Flag.

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  Police officers holding the Dominican flag at the Dominican Day Parade in New York City.

See also

In Spanish: Bandera de la República Dominicana para niños