The Secret History Behind Algeria's Flag
Algeria's flag carries a design older than the country's independence.
It was adopted on July 3, 1962, and it comes from the flag of the National Liberation Front, which used it as a symbol of resistance during the Algerian War of Independence, from 1954 to 1962. It also draws on the standard of Emir Abdelkader in the 19th century, which had two vertical bands of green and white, and on the red flag with a white crescent and star used by the Algerian Regency.
Green is read as Islam and agriculture, white as purity and peace, and red as the blood of those who died fighting for independence. The red crescent and five-pointed star are symbols of Islam, and the five points stand for its five pillars.
The date printed on every Algeria design in our catalog, July 5, 1962, is Independence Day.
Two colors, a crescent and a war that lasted eight years.
Looking for a gift with a story? See our heritage gift guide, or read the story behind any other country's flag on our free Flag Stories page.