Croatian Flag Day

Croatia has gained another commemorative day: Croatian Flag Day, which is celebrated on June 5th.

The initiative of four institutions to declare June 5th as Croatian Flag Day has been renewed: the Croatian History Museum (HPM), the Croatian Heraldry and Flag Society, the Croatian Institute of History (HIP), and the Society of the Brothers of the Croatian Dragon.

The date of June 5 was chosen for a symbolic historical reference. On that day in 1848, Josip Jelačić, as the first Ban of the Tripartite Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia, was enthroned alongside the Croatian tricolor. Until that moment, Croatian flags were mostly associated with the Bans and represented symbols of the Tripartite Kingdom, without the existence of a single national flag. On that day, the Croatian tricolor, red, white and blue, was officially flown for the first time.

According to the Ministry of Culture and Media, it was Jelačić's enthronement that marked the turning point that shaped the appearance and meaning of today's Croatian flag, giving it an important role in building and preserving national identity.

Croatian Flag Day will further raise awareness among citizens, especially young people, about the importance of preserving patriotism and cultural and historical heritage. It is also emphasized that June 5, along with May 30 (Statehood Day), provides an additional opportunity to encourage the display of flags on homes and buildings and to strengthen the sense of national pride. Both dates fall within the school year, which allows for easier inclusion of the topic in educational programs for all school ages.