Socialist Republic of Romania, 1965-1989

Last modified: 2011-06-11 by alex danes
Keywords: romania | coat of arms | red star |
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2:3 by Calvin Paige Herring

• Overview of the Communist Era Flags
• State flag
• Flag law from 1968
• Chairman of Councils of State and of Ministers
• Defence Minister
• Military flags and ensigns of Romania, 1965-1989
• National Arms, 1965-89
• Communist Party
• References

See also:

• Romania
• Romania: Index of all pages

Socialist Romania had three different national flags which differed in the details of the arms which appeared on the central yellow stripe:

• 1948: the arms had a scroll bearing the letters 'RPR', no red star.
• 1952: the arms had a scroll bearing the letters 'RPR' and were surmounted by a red star.
• 1965: the arms had a scroll with the word 'ROMANIA' and were surmounted by a red star.

The Constitution adopted on 21 August 1965 ruled:

Art. 118. The flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania has the colors red, yellow and blue, positioned vertically, with the blue stripe near the hoist. In the middle is placed the coat of arms of the country.

Chairman of Councils of State and of Ministers

Defense Minister

by Alex Danes

The third version was adopted on 21 August 1965. The dexter part of the scroll bears the word 'Republica' and the sinister part 'Socialista' so the complete text reads 'Republica Socialista România' (Socialist Republic of Romania).
Mark Sensen, 27 March 1998

In 1965 a major artistic change in the arms was effected. The only substantial change was the removal of the letters, "RPR," and their replacement by the words Republica, Socialista and Romania on the left, right and central ribbon bands, respectively. At the same time, the tricolour with the arms became the flag for all purposes -- civil, state and military.
Calvin Paige Herring, 05 May 1998

The Constitution adopted on 21 August 1965 ruled:

Art. 116. The coat of arms of the Socialist Republic of Romania represents afforested mountains, over which the sun is arising. On the left side is an oil derrick. The coat of arms is surrounded by a wreath of wheat ears. On top of the coat of arms id a five-pointed star. On the bottom of the coat of arms, the wheat ears are wraped with a tricolor ribbon on which is written: "REPUBLICA SOCIALISTĂ ROMÂNIA".

Sources:

• Preben Kannik, The Flag Book
  
• Christian Fogd Pederson, The International Flag Book in Color
  
• Smith, Flags and Arms Across the World
  
• Crampton, The Complete Guide to Flags
  
• Crampton, Flags of the World
  
• Alexander, Flags of the World