Surinam, the former Dutch colony in South America, introduced its new flag on 25 November 1975, the day it gained independence. Shortly before independence, the Aron government held a competition for a new design. The competition led to 270 different suggestions being submitted, with a preference for stars and stripes and the colors red and green. The winning design was by J.H. Pinas, in white, green, and red. The government said the green symbolized hope, the red progress, the white freedom, and the star stood for a 'golden future'.