The North Atlantic Treaty was signed in Washington on April 4, 1949 establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a result of the Soviet blockade of Berlin. This military alliance was designed to promote the stability of the North Atlantic area and to safeguard the freedom of its people, based on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and international law.
The original twelve members of NATO in 1949 were the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. In 1952, Greece and Turkey joined. West Germany was admitted in 1955 and in 1982 Spain. On March 12, 1999, following the breakup of the Soviet Union, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland raised membership to 19.
On April 2, 2004, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia became the latest nations to join the alliance. In April 2008, Croatia and Albania were also invited to become members in 2009. The one country notably missing in the post cold war era is Russia who refuses to discuss membership and was indirectly the cause for the creation of NATO in 1949.
On October 14, 1953, the NATO Council adopted the official flag of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It consisted of a white and blue compass set against a dark blue field. The exact origin of the NATO emblem is unclear. Legends state that it was designed at the organization’s Belgium headquarters by an International Staff member.
Flag Measures 36 in x 60 in and is 100% polyester with grommets for easy flying.
