History of Red in Timeline

Red is a color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum, with a wavelength of approximately 625–750 nanometres. Situated next to orange and opposite violet, it's a primary color in the RGB model and a secondary color in the CMYK model, complementary to cyan. Red's shades span from scarlet and vermillion to crimson, ranging from pale pink to dark burgundy.

1900: The Labour Party in the United Kingdom founded

In 1900 the Labour Party in the United Kingdom was founded and red became closely associated with the new labour movement.

1900: The Labour Party in Britain founded

In 1900, the Labour Party in Britain was founded and it chose red as its color.

1901: Socialist Party of America founded

In 1901, the Socialist Party of America was founded and chose red as its color.

August 1914: End of the red military uniform in the British Army

In August 1914, at the outbreak of the First World War, the British Army discontinued the use of the red military uniform as a dress uniform.

1917: Soviet Russia adopted a red flag

Following the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, Soviet Russia adopted a red flag.

1917: Russian Revolution

In 1917, following the success of the Russian Revolution, red became the color of communist parties around the world.

1918: Christian-Social People's Party in Liechtenstein founded

In 1918, the Christian-Social People's Party in Liechtenstein was founded and were referred to as "Reds" for their social liberal leanings and party colors.

1918: End of the German Empire

With the end of the German Empire in 1918, red, white, and black - the colors of the German Empire - came to be associated with German nationalism.

1919: Communist Party USA founded

In 1919, the Communist Party USA was founded and it chose red as its color.

1920: The Chinese Communist Party founded

In 1920, the Chinese Communist Party was founded.

1920: Royal Canadian Mounted Police given its present name

In 1920, the North-West Mounted Police was given its present name, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Their uniform is the Red Serge.

1927: Germany establishes red margin danger warning signs

In 1927, Germany established red margin danger warning signs via Verordnung über Warnungstafeln für den Kraftfahrzeugverkehr.

1949: The Chinese Communist Party took power

In 1949, the Chinese Communist Party took power in China and its red flag and hammer and sickle emblem became the national symbols.

1954: North Vietnam adopted a red flag

In 1954, North Vietnam adopted a red flag.

1960: Invention of the ruby laser

In 1960, the ruby laser, emitting in the red region of the spectrum, was invented.

1962: Invention of the red helium–neon laser

In 1962, the red helium–neon laser was invented. It was then widely used in many scientific applications including holography, and in education. These lasers were also commercially used in LaserDisc players.

1968: National colors in Formula One mostly replaced

In 1968, national colors were mostly replaced in Formula One by commercial sponsor liveries. However, Ferrari always kept the traditional red color.

1968: Red standardized as the international color for stop signs and lights

In 1968, red was standardized as the international color for stop signs and stop lights at the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals.

1972: Socialist Party of America dissolved

In 1972, the Socialist Party of America was dissolved.

1975: Vietnam adopted a red flag

In 1975, all of Vietnam adopted a red flag.

1991: Fall of the Soviet Union

After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia reverted to the pre-revolutionary blue, white, and red flag.

1994: Sweden Joins the European Union

In 1994, Sweden joined the European Union. As a result, the ban on Allura Red AC was lifted in Sweden.

1998: The Red Hat Society founded

In 1998, The Red Hat Society was founded as a social group for women 50 and over.

2000: Red States vs. Blue States

Following the 2000 presidential election, the media began to use the terms "red states" and "blue states" to describe states that voted for Republican and Democratic candidates, respectively.

2000: Evidence of ochre use found at Pinnacle Point

In 2000, at Pinnacle Point in South Africa, paleoanthropologists found evidence that Late Stone Age people were scraping and grinding ochre between 170,000 and 40,000 years ago, likely for body coloring.