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Grand Place in Bruxelles in Bruxelles-Capitale, Brussels, Belgium — Northwestern Europe
 

Les Premiers Drapeaux Belges
⎯⎯⎯
De Eerste Belgische Vlaggen
⎯⎯⎯
The First Belgian Flags

 
 
The First Belgian Flags Marker - French panel image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 15, 2022
1. The First Belgian Flags Marker - French panel
Inscription.  
Le 26 aout 1830 Mme Abts confectionna ici les 2 premiers drapeaux belges

Den 26te augustus 1830 vervaardigde Mevr Abts alhier de 2 eerste belgische vlaggen

(English translation:)

Here on the 26th of August, 1830, Mrs. Abts made the first two Belgian flags.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & PatriotismWomen. In addition, it is included in the Vexillology series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 26, 1830.
 
Location. 50° 50.808′ N, 4° 21.24′ E. Marker is in Bruxelles, Rιgion Bruxelloise (Brussels), in Bruxelles-Capitale. It is in Grand Place. It is at the intersection of Rue du Marchι aux Herbes and Rue de la Colline, on the right when traveling south on Rue du Marchι aux Herbes. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Rue du Marchι aux Herbes 85, Bruxelles, Rιgion Bruxelloise 1000, Belgium. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Victor Hugo (within shouting distance of this marker); The Execution of the Counts of Egmont and Horn (about
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90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Expulsion of the Austrian Forces (about 90 meters away); Neuhaus Chocolates (about 90 meters away); The Belgian Open Party / Le Ouvreir Parti Belgie (about 120 meters away); Karl Marx (about 120 meters away); Reconstruction de Bruxelles (about 120 meters away); Galeries St. Hubert (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bruxelles.
 
Also see . . .  Marie Abts-Ermens (Wikipedia, in Dutch).
On how the flags came to be (in translation): Edouard Ducpιtiaux, a doctor of law by training but an editor by profession, had Marie Abts-Ermens sew the first two Belgian flags they had designed on Thursday, August 26, 1830, at the request of fellow journalist and lawyer Lucien Jottrand, in her fabric store. He then went to the town hall where he replaced the French flag, which had been hung there during the uprising after the performance of Portici's opera De Mute the day before, with the new Belgian tricolour. The second flag sewn by Marie Abts-Ermens, commissioned by an official of the Ministry of War, Alexandre-Thιodore
The First Belgian Flags Marker - Dutch panel image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 15, 2022
2. The First Belgian Flags Marker - Dutch panel
If the above flag looks odd, that is because it depicts the original Belgian flag, which is the same as the current flag, but for a 90 degree rotation.
Van Hulst, was taken in the processions through Brussels where the population was called upon to support the Belgian Revolution. The first Belgian flags had stripes that were horizontal to the flagpole. This continued until January 23, 1831.
(Submitted on May 24, 2023.) 
 
The First Belgian Flags Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 15, 2022
3. The First Belgian Flags Marker - wide view
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on May 24, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
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Jun. 5, 2026