The 15 quiz questions
Question 1 : What is the oldest national flag still in use, said to have fallen from the sky according to legend?
Possible answers:
- Austria (~1230)
- England (~1190)
- Denmark (Dannebrog, ~1219)
- Scotland (Saltire, ~832)
Explanation: The Dannebrog is said to have fallen from the sky during the Battle of Lyndanisse (Estonia) in 1219. Even if it's a legend, the flag has been documented since the 14th century.
Question 2 : The French blue-white-red tricolor was born during which event?
Possible answers:
- Reign of Louis XIV
- Hundred Years' War
- World War I
- French Revolution (1789)
Explanation: The colors of Paris (blue and red) combined with royal white. The tricolor cockade was first worn on July 17, 1789.
Question 3 : The Union Jack combines the crosses of how many patron saints?
Possible answers:
- 1 (George)
- 2 (George, Andrew)
- 3 (George, Andrew, Patrick)
- 4 (George, Andrew, Patrick, David)
Explanation: St George (England), St Andrew (Scotland), St Patrick (Ireland). Wales is not represented because it was already united with England when the flag was created.
Question 4 : Why do so many African flags use green, yellow and red?
Possible answers:
- They represent natural resources
- It's an African Union treaty
- They are Nelson Mandela's colors
- They are Ethiopia's colors, the only African country never colonized
Explanation: Ethiopia being the only African country never colonized, its colors became the symbol of resistance and Pan-African freedom.
Question 5 : South Africa's rainbow flag was adopted for which historic occasion?
Possible answers:
- End of apartheid and first free elections (1994)
- Independence from the United Kingdom (1961)
- Creation of the African Union (2002)
- Rugby World Cup (1995)
Explanation: Created by Frederick Brownell for the elections on April 27, 1994. Nelson Mandela became the first black president. The Y symbolizes the convergence of peoples.
Question 6 : Which European country changed its flag in 1995 following a naming dispute with Greece?
Possible answers:
- Kosovo
- Albania
- North Macedonia
- Montenegro
Explanation: Greece opposed the Vergina Sun, symbol of ancient Greek Macedonia. The new 8-rayed sun was imposed as a compromise.
Question 7 : Nepal's flag is unique in the world. What is its origin?
Possible answers:
- Hindu religious symbol
- Mistake by a royal tailor
- Shape of the Himalayas
- Merger of two royal pennants in the 19th century
Explanation: The two triangles were separate banners of two branches of the Rana dynasty. They were unified in the 19th century. Mathematical proportions defined in the Constitution.
Question 8 : What do the 12 stars on the European flag symbolize?
Possible answers:
- Completeness and unity (not the number of countries)
- The 12 founding countries
- The 12 apostles
- The 12 months of the year
Explanation: Adopted in 1955 by the Council of Europe, the 12 stars symbolize perfection and unity. The number 12 has remained fixed even as the EU expanded.
Question 9 : Which country replaced its entirely green flag (with no design) in 2011?
Possible answers:
- Saudi Arabia
- Libya
- Mauritania
- Pakistan
Explanation: Under Gaddafi (1977-2011), the flag was a solid green rectangle, the simplest in the world. After the revolution, the old red-black-green monarchist flag was restored.
Question 10 : Which emperor inspired the Italian green-white-red tricolor?
Possible answers:
- Napoleon Bonaparte
- Charlemagne
- Frederick Barbarossa
- Julius Caesar
Explanation: Napoleon created the Cisalpine Republic in 1797 with a flag inspired by the French tricolor. Green replaced blue, perhaps referencing the Lombard landscape.
Question 11 : The Olympic flag (5 rings) was created by whom in 1913?
Possible answers:
- Pierre de Coubertin
- Demetrius Vikelas
- Henri Didon
- Thomas Arnold
Explanation: The French baron designed the 5 interlocking rings representing the 5 continents. Every national flag contains at least one of the 6 colors (white background included).
Question 12 : Which country added two red stripes to its flag in 2017?
Possible answers:
- Guinea
- Mauritania
- Senegal
- Chad
Explanation: Mauritania added red stripes at the top and bottom of the green and gold flag to honor the blood shed by defenders of the nation.
Question 13 : Where does the crescent moon on many Muslim flags come from?
Possible answers:
- Pre-Islamic Arab astronomical symbol
- Prescription from the Quran
- Ottoman Empire symbol adopted by the Muslim world
- Created by the Crusaders
Explanation: The crescent is not a Quranic symbol. The Ottoman Empire adopted it, then it spread as a symbol of Islam worldwide.
Question 14 : Which country redesigned its flag after discovering it was identical to Haiti's?
Possible answers:
- Poland
- Liechtenstein
- Indonesia
- Monaco
Explanation: At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Liechtenstein discovered its flag was identical to Haiti's. A princely crown was added in 1937.
Question 15 : How many times has the American flag been modified since 1777?
Possible answers:
- 5 times
- 13 times
- 27 times
- 50 times
Explanation: Each new star (new state) modified the flag. From 13 stars in 1777 to 50 since 1960 (Hawaii). The current design was proposed by a 17-year-old high school student!
