National flags are a symbol of identity, something that people consider a representation of their own country and something that we think is unique. Well, that might be the case in a world with the Internet, where all flags are available one click away, but before, it was not that easy to make sure your flag was unique, as in the case of Haiti and Liechtenstein realizing they had the same flags at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
At the time, both flags were the same, each featuring a horizontal bicolor of blue over red, and they were about to find out in the Olympics. Haiti only had one athlete, a weightlifter called René A. Ambroise, who discovered that the Liechtenstein flag was the same when their delegation arrived. In need of a quick resolution for the games, the Liechetein delegation received approval to carry their flag upside-down and add a "Prince's Hat" crown in the corner.
After the games, Liechtenstein moved to distinguish its flag by adding a gold crown to the upper left corner, a symbol reflecting the principality's monarchical heritage and status. This modification, adopted in 1937, ensured that such a mix-up would not occur again, giving Liechtenstein a distinct national symbol that honored its history and sovereignty.
The story of the Liechtenstein and Haiti flags is an interesting anecdote in the history of diplomacy. Despite vast differences between countries, the world is full of surprising parallels and intersections. The flag mix-up between Liechtenstein and Haiti teaches us to look for similarities among our differences, embracing the quirks and coincidences that make our world fascinatingly interconnected.
Craving more? Check out the source behind this Brain Snack!
