Why the Flag?
By Why the Flag?
The show that explores the stories behind the flags – and how these symbols impact our world, our history, and ourselves.
Why the Flag?Mar 06, 2021
Episode 9, Part II: The Russian Flag: Tsars and the Third Rome
“Strong in our friendship tried by fire, long may our crimson flag inspire – shining in glory for all men to see.” This is the final chapter of the Russian flag, 1917-1991.
Episode 9, Part I: The Russian Flag: Tsars and the Third Rome
Part I of II. How did the backwater Duchy of Moscow rise to become one of the largest land empires in history and claim the legacy of the Byzantine Empire? This is the surprising true story of the white, blue, and red imperial tricolor flag of Russia – and the Tsar’s "Third Rome." 862AD–1917.
Episode 8: The Albanian Flag: Skanderbeg’s Revenge
The history of the Albanian flag is a story of invasion and rebellion, conversion and conquest. We also explore the extraordinary life of the flag's designer, Skanderbeg: the warlord who led the Albanians against the Ottoman Empire under the double-eagle flag of revolution.
Episode 7, Part II: The German Flag: The Fall & Rise of the Bundesflagge
Part II of II. “From black night, through red blood, towards the golden sun.” This is the final chapter of the history of the German flag, 1871-1990.
Episode 7, Part I: The German Flag: The Fall & Rise of the Bundesflagge
Part I of II. Empires and petty kingdoms. Death camps and democracies. Fascism and forgiveness – and Germany’s clash between imperialism, tyranny, and freedom. This is the story of the black, red, and gold tricolor of the Federal Republic of Germany, 112AD-1871.
Trailer: The German Flag: The Fall & Rise of the Bundesflagge
**Trailer for our brand-new two-part series on The German Flag: The Fall & Rise of the Bundesflagge. Part I coming soon!
Episode 6: The Spanish Flag: Four Kingdoms of the Rojigualda
A Moorish caliphate becomes a Christian empire. And a once fascist state adopts a flourishing – if disunited – democracy. This is the story of the violent, bloody, and beautiful history of the red-and-gold flag of the Kingdom of Spain.
Episode 5: The Nordic Cross: Vikings, Crusades, and Conquests
Why did the Vikings of Scandinavia swap the raven flag of Oden for the cross of those they conquered? This is the tale of the blood-red flag of Dannebrog – and the centuries-long battle for the souls of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and all of Europe.