Lesotho was settled by the Sotho people sometime in the 16th century, mingling peacefully with the earlier Khoisan whose history can be traced in rock-art in various sites in the mountains. The Basotho were welded into a nation relatively recently by one outstanding leader. Around 1820, Moshoeshoe I, a minor chief of the Bakwena, gathered a following among the tribes who had retreated to the north-western borders of present-day Lesotho to protect themselves against Zulu and Matabele raids.
Moshoeshoe sought UK protection, but not before much land had been lost to white settlers. His urgent appeals for assistance went unheeded until 1868 when Basutoland became a crown protectorate. Moshoeshoe died in 1870. The following year, Basutoland was annexed to the Cape Colony, over the protests of both Basotho and Boer leaders. In 1880, the so-called Gun War broke out between the Basotho and the Boers over the attempt to disarm the Basotho in accordance with the provisions of the Cape Peace Preservation Act of 1878. A high point in Basotho history was the successful resistance waged against the Cape's forces.
The United Kingdom granted independence to the newly named Kingdom of Lesotho on 4 October 1966; Moshoeshoe II was proclaimed king on that date. The first general election following the attainment of independence was held in January 1970. When it appeared that the ruling party, the Basotho National Party (BNP), would be defeated, Prime Minister Jonathan, its leader, declared a state of emergency and suspended the constitution.
Lesotho adopted its first flag in 1966, which was when it got independence from the United Kingdom. There were three vertical stripes of Green, Red, and Blue, with the last one taking up the most area. A white mokorotlo also featured on the flag. In 1987, the Basotho National Party was toppled from power by a military coup, which was when a new design of the flag was introduced. This flag was in use until 2006.
The new Lesotho flag retained elements of the original Lesotho flag. It maintained the symbolic use of the national motto from the country's coat of arms: "Khotso-Pula-Nala", which means "Peace-Rain-Plenty". The upper white section of the Lesotho flag represents peace, the blue stripe symbolizes rain and water, and the green section stands for the country's fertile agricultural land. The shield, supported by a spear on the left, a bludgeon on the right and a plumed spine in the center, symbolizes Lesotho's willingness to defend its independence.
The new Lesotho banner held components of the first Lesotho banner. It kept up the typical usage of the national proverb from the nation's emblem: "Khotso-Pula-Nala", which signifies "Peace-Rain-Plenty". The upper white area of the Lesotho banner speaks of the peace, the blue stripe symbolizes rain and water, and the green segment remains the nation's rich rural area. The shield, upheld by a lance on the left, a cudgel on the privilege and a plumed spine in the inside, symbolizes Lesotho's eagerness to protect its freedom. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Lesotho Flag for the future.
Moshoeshoe sought UK protection, but not before much land had been lost to white settlers. His urgent appeals for assistance went unheeded until 1868 when Basutoland became a crown protectorate. Moshoeshoe died in 1870. The following year, Basutoland was annexed to the Cape Colony, over the protests of both Basotho and Boer leaders. In 1880, the so-called Gun War broke out between the Basotho and the Boers over the attempt to disarm the Basotho in accordance with the provisions of the Cape Peace Preservation Act of 1878. A high point in Basotho history was the successful resistance waged against the Cape's forces.
The United Kingdom granted independence to the newly named Kingdom of Lesotho on 4 October 1966; Moshoeshoe II was proclaimed king on that date. The first general election following the attainment of independence was held in January 1970. When it appeared that the ruling party, the Basotho National Party (BNP), would be defeated, Prime Minister Jonathan, its leader, declared a state of emergency and suspended the constitution.
Lesotho adopted its first flag in 1966, which was when it got independence from the United Kingdom. There were three vertical stripes of Green, Red, and Blue, with the last one taking up the most area. A white mokorotlo also featured on the flag. In 1987, the Basotho National Party was toppled from power by a military coup, which was when a new design of the flag was introduced. This flag was in use until 2006.
The new Lesotho flag retained elements of the original Lesotho flag. It maintained the symbolic use of the national motto from the country's coat of arms: "Khotso-Pula-Nala", which means "Peace-Rain-Plenty". The upper white section of the Lesotho flag represents peace, the blue stripe symbolizes rain and water, and the green section stands for the country's fertile agricultural land. The shield, supported by a spear on the left, a bludgeon on the right and a plumed spine in the center, symbolizes Lesotho's willingness to defend its independence.
The new Lesotho banner held components of the first Lesotho banner. It kept up the typical usage of the national proverb from the nation's emblem: "Khotso-Pula-Nala", which signifies "Peace-Rain-Plenty". The upper white area of the Lesotho banner speaks of the peace, the blue stripe symbolizes rain and water, and the green segment remains the nation's rich rural area. The shield, upheld by a lance on the left, a cudgel on the privilege and a plumed spine in the inside, symbolizes Lesotho's eagerness to protect its freedom. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Lesotho Flag for the future.
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