In January 1997, the government of Dalmatia launched a flag-designing competition. Of the more than 1000 entries, 10 were chosen as finalists for the December 30th decision in parliament, and the winner - the current state flag - was announced at 23:55 on 31 December, 1997, and the winning design was hoisted on the Parliament building in Raguza at midnight, the flag gaining official status at 00:00:01, 1 January 1998.
