The Legend of the Dannebrog: the World's Oldest National Flag Turns 800 - History Arch

On June 15, 1219, according to legend, the Dannebrog fell from the sky during the Battle of Lyndanisse. An excerpt from the article:

"On this date in 1219, a Danish army found itself in grave peril in what is today Estonia. Danish King Valdemar II had launched a crusade against Baltic pagans who met him in great numbers at the Battle of Lyndanisse. As Estonian forces threatened to overwhelm Valdemar’s lines, a red flag with a white cross appeared in the sky floating down to the beleaguered Danes. Valdemar grabbed the banner, showing it to his troops. Inspired, they turned the tide and won the battle. According to Danish lore, God sent the Dannebrog (translated as “the strength of the Danes”), which at [over] 800 years old is the world’s oldest continuously used national flag."