The current version of the Algerian national flag was adopted on July 3rd, 1962 after driving the French out in the Algerian War of Independence. The national flag of Algeria has two equal vertical bars, one is green (the hoist side) and one is white. In the centre there is a red star and crescent. White is for peace. Green is for the beauty of nature. Red is for the blood of those killed fighting for independence in the Algerian War (1954 to 1962). The star and crescent are for Islam.
A similar version was used by the Algerian government in exile from 1958–1962. When the French ruled Algeria from 1830 to 1962 they used the French flag as Algeria's national flag. Algerian ships fly the national flag as their ensign, except for ships of the Algerian National Navy, which use the national flag charged with two red crossed anchors in the canton as the naval ensign (above). The navy started to use to the flag on the 27 June 1963.