flag | Fotoeins Fotografie

Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, Scotland, fotoeins.com

Fotoeins Friday: Scotland’s Referendum – Leave or Stay?

Next Thursday (September 18) is a big day in the United Kingdom.

The people of Scotland will vote on a referendum with a simple question – “Should Scotland be an independent country?” Do they wish to secede from the United Kingdom: yes or no? A simple majority of cast votes will be sufficient. As this post goes live, the polls suggest a tight race, right up to voting day. Additional extensive coverage of the origins to the independence movement and what independence might mean to Scotland, the rest of the UK, and Europe are found on the BBC News and The Guardian.

Results: NO 55% vs. YES 45%, as Scotland decides to remain within the Union.

I made this shot in the quiet of The Mound in Edinburgh’s city centre on 8 November 2012 during my year-long RTW; more about my memorable Edinburgh visit here. This post appears on Fotoeins Fotopress at fotoeins.com as http://wp.me/p1BIdT-5Cx.

The kingdoms of Scotland and England (including Wales) merged to form the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland joined to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801. The Irish Free State separated in 1922, leaving behind The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Canada flag, National flag, Canadian flag

Red, white, & maple leaf: the Canadian flag

The “red, white, and maple leaf” flag is now recognized around the world as a definitive symbol for Canada. The National Flag of Canada celebrates its 53rd birthday in 2018.

Whenever I’m back in Canada, I always get a warm feeling when I see the English and French signage in our airports or train stations, and the the red, white, and maple-leaf flag flapping in the wind. The sight of the flag tells me I’m home.

I’ve often asked myself: how old is the Canadian flag? Has the flag been around as long as the nation? Does Canada have a day to celebrate the flag?

Since 1996, the National Flag of Canada Day is observed annually on February 15.

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Happy Australia Day

To my friends ‘down under’ – happy Australia Day on this January 26!

I made the above photo just outside “Peter Doyle at the Quay‎” (Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay) in Sydney, Australia on 26 September 2010, with the Canon EOS450D camera, EF 70-300mm IS lens, and the following settings: 1/250s, f/8, ISO200, 70mm. This post is published originally on Fotoeins Fotopress at fotoeins.com.

Reichstag/Bundestag, Berlin, Germany, fotoeins.com

Berlin on German Unity Day (Tag der deutschen Einheit)

After decades of division and the construction of the Wall, West and East Germany were reunited as the single nation of Germany in 1990. October 3 was chosen as Tag der deutschen Einheit, or German Unity Day. 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the (re)united Germany.

It’s an important day in the country where flag-waving is possible, where people can show their pride of a modern and (re)united country. As the 2006 FIFA World Cup showed, the colours of the black, red, and gold were on display everywhere. Germans and visitors alike revelled in the joys, hopes, and aspirations of the present-day nation. Shown here are German flags flying next to Berlin’s Reichstagsgebäude (Reichstag building).

I’m absolutely delighted to call many in Germany as friends, and frequent visits to the country continue to provide lessons, one of which is that I generally feel at home. I remain open to learning, and I never leave disappointed. I always find something new about what it is to love about the country and her people.

• Day of German Unity | Tag der deutschen Einheit

Berlin Reichstag/Bundestag

I made the photos above at the southeast corner of Platz der Republik (Republic Square) on 19 March 2011. This post is originally published on Fotoeins Fotopress at fotoeins.com as http://wp.me/p1BIdT-Gv.