Bagging Their Flags

So much for grand old flags. Some Australian nationalists this month are lobbying to ditch their current symbol, far left which includes Britain's Union Jack because it conjures up the country's roots as a penal colony. Instead, the Aussies are pushing for a new flag celebrating the 19th century Eureka Stockade, a tax revolt some liken to the Boston Tea Party. Australia is just one of several countries reconsidering their colors.

Iraq
After briefly trying a design critics called too similar to Israel's, Iraq reverted in June to a flag nearly identical to its Saddam-era one

Montenegro
As part of government plans for full independence by 2006, Parliament voted in July for symbols that mark a new beginning

Georgia
President Mikheil Saakashvili replaced the Georgian symbol this year with a five-cross banner that used to be his party's flag

Angola
A sunny banner may be officially adopted in 2005 to replace a Soviet-style precursor. The new flag is said to symbolize unity and harmony

New Zealand
In a survey, 12% of locals could not tell their flag from Australia's. Some would prefer the banner above, depicting the silver fern, a Kiwi icon