Russia marks Flag Day

Russian citizens are allowed to raise the national flag at their house
today. The country is marking the 20th anniversary of the National
Flag.

The flag was restored at an extraordinary session of the RSFSR Supreme
Council on August 22, 1991, after the failed coup attempt. The new
country held protests under the new flag. The modern flag has white,
blue and red colours.

The flag was first raised on the Saint Peter vessel of Emperor Peter
the Great. It was approved for the trading fleet during the reign of
Emperor Alexander III and became the national flag during the reign of
Emperor Nikolai II. It was restored when the Soviet Union collapsed.

Until 2008 the modern tricolour flag could only be used at official meetings.