Western Samoa 1949; Samoa 1997
On 24 February 1949 the Samoan flag was changed with a small fifth star added to the Southern Cross constellation. Red symbolises courage, blue stands for freedom and white signifies purity, while the Southern Cross represents the geographical position of Samoa. Western Samoa became independent on 1 January 1962 as the Independent State of Western Samoa; In July 1997 the country's name was changed to Independent State of Samoa.