Uzbekistan became a member of the former Soviet Union in 1924. Since 1952, the national flag adopted is similar to that of the former Soviet Union, except that there is a broad blue stripe in the middle and a narrow white stripe above and below. On August 3 199 1, Uzbekistan's national independence law was passed and the national flag was put into use on August 31. 199 1 year1month 18 was officially recognized as the national flag.