Banner of Peace

This sign was proposed by N.K. Roerich for the international Covenant for the Protection of Cultural Property . In his opinion, this sign:

“It has great antiquity and is found all over the world, therefore it cannot be limited to any sect, religion or tradition, for it represents the evolution of consciousness in all its phases.” ^[one]

Original text

"It has existed for immeasurable periods of time and is to be found throughout the world. "No one therefore can pretend that it belongs to any particular sect, confession, or tradition, and it represents the evolution of consciousness in all its varied phases."

Nicholas Roerich describes the sign he proposed and its symbolism in the following figurative expressions:

“... the proposed flag is a symbol of the whole World, not one country, but the whole civilized World. The proposed Banner has on a white background in a circle three connected amaranth Spheres as a symbol of Eternity and Unity. Although we do not know when exactly this Banner will flutter over all cultural monuments, it is certain that the seed has already grown. It has already attracted the attention of big minds and is rushing from heart to heart, awakening once again among the multitudes the idea of ​​Peace and Goodwill. " ^[2]

“ They ask to collect where there are signs of our Banner of Peace. The triune sign has been spread out all over the world. Now they explain it differently - some say that it is the past, present and future, united by the ring of eternity. For others, an explanation is closer that it is religion, knowledge and art in the ring of culture. " ^[3]

In the official text of the contract, the description of the mark is brief and simple.

Article III

A distinctive flag (a red circle with three circles in the middle on a white background) may be used to designate the monuments and institutions referred to in Article I in accordance with the model attached to this agreement.

(Treaty on the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historic Monuments (Roerich Pact))

According to one version, the source of the intention of N. K. Roerich to create the sign of the Banner of Peace is the ancient Russian icon of Andrei Rublev . In Buddhism, a similar symbol is called triratna . Roerich describes this in his letter to Baron M. A. Taube :

“Finally, I can send you a home shot from my last picture, dedicated to the meaning of the sign of the Banner. You can show this photo to some members of the Committee, and to all those who you think will be useful. Tell all ignoramuses trying to substitute some self-serving or malicious explanations about the meaning of this Image. What could be older and more authentic than the Byzantine concept, dating back centuries to the first generalized Christianity and so beautifully embodied in the Rublev’s icon of the “Holy Life-Giving Trinity” of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra. It is this symbol - the symbol of ancient Christianity, also lit for us by the name of St. Sergius, that prompted our sign, the meaning of which is expressed in the attached picture, preserving all the elements and their locations, according to Rublev's icon. Let this picture be with you in Paris in case of any new attempts to overturn an existing one. I am sending you another picture of the Holy Lady of the Banner - the Madonna of Oriflamma. ”N. K. Roerich - Baron M. A. Taube, 13.2.1932

N.K. Roerich cites evidence of the presence of elements of the sign of the Banner of Peace in artifacts and images of the great ascetics of mankind:

“Today, mail from different countries brought a lot of signs about the movement of our Covenant for the Protection of Cultural Property. A copy was sent from the ancient icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker "...", approved for printing by Metropolitan Anthony. From other places, a photograph was sent from the publication of the printing house of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra of the sixtieth year to the service of St. Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh the Wonderworker. A photograph from the image of Saint Domingo from Silos (Archaeological Museum of Madrid) is being sent from Spain. Also from Spain is sent an image of St. Michael, the work of Bartolomeo Vermejo (1440). On all these images you can see the sign of the Banner of the Covenant, which for many will be useful to remember. ” ^[four]

“The Sign of the Banner also appeared in the Temple of Heaven . Tamga Tamerlane consists of the same sign . The sign of the three treasures is widely known in many countries of the East. On the chest of the Tibetan can be seen a large brooch, representing a sign. We see the same brooches in the Caucasian finds, and in Scandinavia. The Strasbourg Madonna has this sign in the same way as the saints of Spain. The icons of St. Sergius and the Miracle Worker Nicholas have the same sign. On the chest of Christ, in the famous painting of Memling , the sign is imprinted in the form of a large breast brooch. When we go through the sacred images of Byzantium, Rome, the same sign connects the Holy Images all over the world. ” ^[five]

Monuments and institutions on which it is supposed to establish the sign of the Banner of Peace are to be included in the special list by the national government.

• Article IV

The governments of the states that have signed this treaty and acceded to it, simultaneously with the signing of the treaty or joining it, send to the Pan American Union a list of monuments and institutions to which it is desirable to extend the protection provided for by this treaty.

When notifying governments of signatories and affiliates, the Pan American Union sends them a list of monuments and institutions mentioned in this article, and informs other governments of any changes to the list.

• Article V

The monuments and institutions referred to in Article I cease to enjoy the privileges provided for in this agreement if they are used for military purposes (Treaty on the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historical Monuments. ^[6]

The author of the sign, N. Roerich wrote about these conditions as follows:

“Institutions, collections and missions registered under the Roerich Pact set a distinctive flag, which will give them the right to special protection and respect from the belligerent states and peoples of all the contracting countries.”

It can be seen from the words of Nicholas Roerich that in order to have the right to display a distinctive flag, it is necessary to be registered bodies of the Covenant. The same situation exists with respect to the distinctive flag of the Red Cross (also created on the basis of the oldest symbol - the cross ).

However, protodeacon Andrei Kuraev, in his book “Satanism for the intelligentsia,” relying on the texts of Living Ethics , criticizes the pacifist intention to use the sign and sets forth this point of view on the symbolism of the “Banner of the World” ^[7] :

But with a closer acquaintance with the texts of the pro-Roerich circle, it turns out, firstly, that this symbol was not invented by Roerich at all. First of all, it’s “The Banner of Lords, the Banner of the mysterious Himalayan Community of great Teachers, who are called Mahatmas in the East. This is the Three-Eyed Banner of Shambhala .” In Hindu mythology, it (“the sign of the Roerich”) means the wonderful stone of Chantaman , which fulfilled any desires of people who are pure in heart . That is, we have a certain magic talisman, called, in the terminology of modern occultists, to change the “energy” of the place in which it is located.

Its function is described by the Mahatmas in this way: “The Great Banner of the World carries its charges of Light and fieryly saturates the currents around the Earth, like a panacea for evil.” It is clear that this banner is by no means a pacifist sign, but a kind of occult talisman. A private act calling for the protection of cultural monuments from military vandalism can in no way claim the title of "panacea for evil."

In order to promote the Roerich Pact in the 30s of the 20th century, public organizations were created in different countries that used the symbol of the Banner of Peace as their own symbolism, in publications dedicated to the protection of cultural property, during cultural events. Among them: “The International Union for the Adoption of the Roerich Pact and the Banner of Peace” (Bruges, 1931), “The World League of Culture and the World Council of Culture” (New York, 1931), “The Indian Committee of the Roerich Pact” (Naggar, 1931), “Special Committee of the Roerich Pact at the European Center” (Paris, 1932), “Standing Committee of the Covenant and the Banner of Peace” (New York, 1933), “Harbin Russian Committee of the Roerich Pact” (Harbin, 1934), “Committee for the Promotion of the Roerich Pact” (Sofia, 1934), “Standing Committee of the Covenant and the Banner of Peace” (Brussels, 1934), etc.

Numerous actions, international conferences, meetings and meetings were held under the Banner of Peace. The culmination of the activities of these organizations was the signing of the Roerich Pact in 1935.

After the signing of the Pact, organizations under the Banner of Peace were created in many countries of America and Europe. The most active was the "Portuguese Committee of the Covenant and the Banner of Peace" (Combra, 1939). The Baltic republics joined in the process of joining the Covenant. In the Baltic countries, organizations were created that used the Banner of Peace as their own symbols: “The Academician N. K. Roerich Society” (Lithuania, 1936) ^[8] , “The Roerich Pact Committee” (Riga, 1937), The Estonian Initiative Committee of the Roerich Pact (Tallinn, 1937). In October 1937, the First Congress of the Baltic Roerich Societies was held in Riga. The Congress decided to create under each Roerich society in the Baltic states Committees of the Roerich Pact, which would defend cultural and artistic values ^[9] .

In addition, in Europe and America in the 30s of the 20th century Roerich societies were created (Society of Friends of the Roerich Museum, etc.), which also used the Banner of Peace or its elements as their own symbols. Among them: “The Latvian Society of Friends of the Roerich Museum in New York” (Riga, 1930), “The European Center for Nicholas Roerich” (Paris, 1932), “The Roerich Foundation for Peace, Science, Art and Labor” ( Bruges, 1932), The French Roerich Society (Paris, 1932), The Society of the Roerich Museum (Riga, 1938) ^[10] .

In India, on November 17, 1938, the Banner of Peace was raised over Karachi (India) ^[11] . Then the literary society of the city of Benares adopted a special resolution on the Roerich Pact ^[12] . In addition to societies using the Banner of Peace in Europe, several Roerich museums were organized: the Museum of Paintings of Nicholas and Svyatoslav Roerichs (Riga, 1933-1940), the Roerich Museum at the Roerich Foundation for Peace, Science, Art and Labor ( Bruges, 1932).

Separately, it is worth highlighting organizations founded personally by N.K. Roerich. Most of them used the symbol of the Banner of Peace in their logos and emblems. First of all, it is the “Roerich Museum”, “The International Center for the Arts”, and the “Roerich Society”. Most of the Roerich organizations were active until 1940 and ceased their activities in connection with subsequent events. In Paris, before the outbreak of World War II, the French public committee of the Covenant sent a proposal for the adoption of the Roerich Pact to the embassies of several European states.

Despite the severity of the postwar years, the movement did not die out. The Roerich Pact and Banner Peace Committees operated in Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, France, England, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Bolivia and Cuba, many of which were created after the war.

In December 1945, the Pact and Banner of Peace Committee resumed work in New York. In 1949, in New York, at the initiative of American Roerich employees, the new Museum of Nicholas Roerich was opened, which chose the symbol of the Banner of Peace with the signature "PAX" as its logo.

In the years 1948-1949, the Italian Committee of the Roerich Pact, launched by Orientalist Enrico Gerardo Carpani, launched an active campaign in Bologna. In 1949, the University of Roerich was established in Bologna.

In September 1948, the Government of free India also supported the Pact ^[13] . In the late 1940s. in the Indian Committee of the Roerich Pact and the Banner of Peace there were 18 prominent figures of state and culture.

Currently, the Banner of Peace Committees and Roerich organizations continue to work in many countries of the world. The most active organizations are Latin America, Mexico and Eastern Europe, including Russia.

On July 19, 2006, the Sejm of the Republic of Lithuania adopted a resolution on the annual celebration of Culture Day - April 15 (on the day of the signing of the Roerich Pact). On this day, cultural and governmental institutions of Lithuania raise the Banner of Peace, special events, ceremonial gatherings and meetings are held ^[14] . Since July 5, 2006, a stylized sign of the Banner of Peace has been present on the coat of arms and flag of the Volosovo municipal region ^[15] .

In 2010, the International Movement for the Approval of "World Culture Day under the Banner of Peace" was established in Moscow, which unites public figures of 13 states, 34 creative and scientific organizations.

On December 26, 2012, the Republic of Argentina joined the celebration of International Peace Day , legislating the Banner of Peace as the official flag of the holiday ^[16] . On September 21 of each year, the Banner of Peace rises above the state institutions of the republic.

The UN operates the International Committee of the Banner of Peace (Mexico), which initiates the installation of the Banner of Peace over the cultural and educational institutions of Mexico and other countries. The organization has taken the initiative to confer the title of "City of the World." The Banner of Peace is the main symbol of the Cities of the World. So in Argentina, three Cities of the World have been proclaimed, in which the Banner of Peace is established constantly. Since 2008, the city of Yelets has been a similar city in Russia ^[17] , and in 2014 the Altai Territory was awarded the title “Territory of the World” ^[18] . Since 2010, the Banner of Peace has been depicted on the official flag of the Izvar rural settlement .

In Russia, the Banner of Peace has become widespread since the late 80s of the 20th century. The Banner of Peace is widely used by cultural initiatives, cultural organizations, as well as organizations related to the heritage of the Roerich family.

Registration of a mark in Russia

11/01/2002 The International Center of the Roerichs (ICR) carried out the state registration of the graphic sign “Banner of Peace” and its verbal designation as a trademark (No. 226539 and 226540), justifying this by fulfilling the will of the Roerich family to protect the sign of the Banner of Peace ^{[ 19]} . The ICR considers the goal of such strict regulation and control to ensure a vital correspondence between the actions of those who use this sign and “high ideas contained in the sign” ^[19] . Registration was supported by public figures who are members of the Board of Trustees of the ICR ^{[20] [21]} . 03/09/2011 the right to this mark was extended by the ICR until 05/16/2021.

Currently, the sign of the Banner of Peace is registered in the European Union, Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus. Despite the fact that the ICR was denied registration of the Banner of Peace sign from the Latvian Patent Office, nevertheless, this mark was registered throughout the European Union, the legal norms of which apply, including to Latvia ^[22] .

Спор о регистрации Знамени Мира в качестве товарного знака

The registration of the Banner of Peace as a trademark by the International Center of the Roerichs caused a wave of protest from a number of Roerich communities ^{[23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28]} , in particular, from the head of the public association “Urusvati” M. Lunev and vice president of the international association “ Peace through Culture ” ^[29] V. Augustat. A special resonance was caused by the article by the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Znamya Mira, G. S. Gorchakov, “What did you swipe at?” ^[30] , after which he, along with other opponents of registration, was added to the list of “falsifiers” by the International Council of Roerich Organizations named after S. N. Roerich, patronized by the ICR ^[31] .

The head of the memorial cabinet of N. K. Roerich in the State Museum of the East O. V. Rumyantsev on July 19, 2004 filed an appeal with the Chamber for Patent Disputes against the registration of the Banner of Peace by the International Center of the Roerichs ^[32] . However, on 10.06.2005 the appeal was dismissed ^[32] .

The website of the International Council of Roerich Organizations named after S. N. Roerich provides many arguments and opinions in defense of registering the Banner of Peace as a trademark of the ICR ^[33] . However, dissatisfaction with the policies pursued by the ICR regarding the Roerichs' heritage (in particular, regarding the registration of the name “Urusvati” as a trademark ^[34] ) continues to take place ^{[35] [36] [37]} .

US Banner of Peace Registration History

D. Entin, Director of the Museum of Nicholas Roerich in New York , said about registering the Banner of Peace as a trademark : “ Nicholas Roerich personally gave this symbol to our Museum as a logo, and the Board of Trustees of the Museum applied to the Patent Office in Washington to register this mark as owned by the Museum. The application was rejected on the grounds that it is a universal symbol and cannot be protected under copyright law . However, we were informed that we could register a symbol if we add the banner motto Pax Cultura to it, which we did ” ^[38] .

Calling for peace among the followers of the Roerichs, he added:

This symbol everywhere and at all times was universal. <...> A banner can never belong to anyone. The banner can never be under someone’s control. It is the power of nature, it is more than all of us, it is the Banner of the Masters of the Spirit. <...> It belongs to all of you. ^[38]

Master Bank Logo

The emblem of the “Master Bank” repeats the attribute of the teachings of the Roerichs of Agni Yoga with the addition of the letters “M” and “B” ^[39] According to the first vice-president of the International Center of the Roerichs MP Shaposhnikova L. V. , “many Roerich organizations” asked the ICR has permission to use the registered trademark, and the ICR gave permission to use the symbol of the Banner of Peace in the bank logo. ^{[40] The} Chairman of the Board of Master Bank in 1994 - 2013 , a member of the Board and the main philanthropist of the ICR B. I. Bulochnik was carried away by the Roerichs, which led to the fact that the symbol of trinity was chosen as an element of the logo, and for the name of the bank - the word "Master", associated by the followers of Roerich with the creator of the doctrine ^{[K 1] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43]} .

• On July 23, 1979, Catherine Campbell , Vice President of the Nicholas Roerich Museum in New York, presented the Banner of Peace to the Society for the Protection of Monuments and Cultural Property of the City of Novosibirsk . On the same day, the flag was handed to the climbers to the top of Urusvati (Altai). Subsequently, the cloth was transferred for storage to the Museum of N.K. Roerich in Novosibirsk ^[44] .
• In 1990, the astronaut crew consisting of A. N. Balandin and A. Ya. Solovyov made a space flight with the Banner of Peace, which from February to August was on board the Mir orbital complex, including for 9 days in outer space making 144 orbits around the earth .
• In January 1994, the Banner of Peace was installed in the lobby of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and was there until December 22, 2004. ^[45]
• In 1997, the International Banner of Peace Project was launched. His goal was to call for cooperation under the Banner of Culture, in the name of preserving life and beauty on our planet . Many international crews worked with the Banner of Peace delivered to the Mir orbital station. Project participant cosmonaut Pavel Vinogradov said:

“We raised the Banner of Peace above the planet, so that the space of Culture forever displaces the space of war and hostility from our planet. We call for the construction of a new spiritual, scientific and artistic cooperation of all people and peoples of the Earth. ” ^[46]

After the completion of the Project and returning from orbit, the Banner of Peace was transferred to the International Center-Museum named after N.K. Roerich, where it is currently on display . ^[47]

• On January 5, 1999, the Banner of Peace was presented to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. A. Nazarbayev . The ceremony, which took place in the Presidential Palace ( Alma-Ata ), was attended by pilot-cosmonaut A.A. Leonov and professor S.P. Kapitsa . ^[48] .
• The banner of the World was climbed by climbers to many peaks. Among them:

- Elbrus ^[49]

- Belukha , Roerich peak, Urusvati peak, Svyatoslav Roerich peak ( Altai ) ^[49] ;

- Khan Tengri ( Central Asia ) ^[49] ;

- Peak Everest ( Himalayas ).

• At the North Pole of the Earth, the Banner of Peace was first installed in 1988 by the famous traveler Fedor Konyukhov .
• At the South Pole of the Earth, the Banner of Peace was first raised in 1999 by participants in the first International Comprehensive Antarctic Expedition Towards the 21st Century. Currently, the Banners who visited the poles are also on display at the N.K. Roerich International Center-Museum. ^[47]
• In October 2004, in India, during the ceremonies dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of S.N. Roerich , the Banner of Peace, who traveled in space , was presented to the Indian Parliament . Accepting this Banner, Speaker S. Chatterjee said:

"..On it will be kept in the library of the Indian Parliament as the most precious treasure." ^[49]

• In July 2014, through the mediation of the International Committee of the Banner of Peace (a non-governmental organization at the UN ^[50] ), the Banner of Peace was presented to Altai Krai ^[51] and the Administration of Arsenyev ^[52] .
• On April 15, 2015, the Banner of Peace was presented to the city of Guernica (Basque Country, Spain) ^{[53] [54]} .

• Roerich N. Banner of Peace: Letters supporting the "Banner of Peace" . - New York: Roerich Museum Press, 1931.
• Roerich N. Realm of Light. - New York: Roerich Museum Press, 1931.
• Roerich N.K. Power of the World: Collection of articles. - Southbury: Alatas, 1931.
• Roerich N. Fiery Stronghold. - Boston (Mass.): Stratford Co., 1933.
• Roerich N.K. Banner of Peace: Collection of articles. - Harbin, 1934.
• Roerich N. The New Banner of Peace // Rosicrucian Digest. - 1933. - Nov. - P. 369 - 372.
• Roerich N. Banner of Peace // Roerich Essays: One hundred essays: In two vol. - India, 1937.
• Roerich N. Pax per Cultura: (Address to Members of ARCA) // Americ. Russ. Cultural Assoc. - 1946. - P. 20 - 22.
• Roerich N. Himavat: Diary Leaves. - Allahabad: Kitabistan, 1946.
• Roerich N. Red Cross of Culture // India. - 1948. - 24 Oct. - P. 6.
• Roerich N. Banner // The Invincible. - New York: Nicholas Roerich Museum, 1974 .-- P. 158 - 161.

• Roerich, Nikolai Konstantinovich
• Roerich Pact
• Earth Day
• Triratna

1. ↑ In most cases, the creator of the doctrine is Mahatma Moriah .

• Banner of Peace. The Russian Committee of the Roerich Pact in Harbin. 1934
• N.K. Roerich. Riga, 1935. (Collection of articles devoted to N. K. Roerich)
• Arnoux, Cornte d'Objets et Monuments d'Art devant ie Droit des Gens. Paris, 1934
• Jagadiswarananda, Swami. Nicholas Roerich, the Apostle of Culture and Peace. Reprinted from "The Scholar", N 5.
• Le Pacte Roerich Pact. Nr. 1. Paris, 1931.
• The Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace. Vol. II. New York, 1934
• The Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace. Vol & 111 & (Signing of the Pact of White House, Waschington. (Apr. 15, 1935.)
• Quillot, Michel. La Protection des Monuments Historiques et des Sites en Belgique. Lille, 1934
• Roerich, the Peace-Maker. Reprinted from "Maha Bodhi". Calcutta, 1933
• Sarti, V. For Peace and Culture
• Scott, James Brown. The Banner of Peace. Reprinted from "The Scholar". 1934
• Shibayev, VA The Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace. 1935. Reprinted from "The New Dawn". N 8.
• Shibayev, VA Supplement (Roerich Pact signet by United States and all Latin American Governments). (Lahore). 1935
• Shibayev, VA The Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace. Aims and history. (Lion Press, Lahore). 1935
• Siegrist, Mary. Nicolas Roerich. Apostle of Wordi Unity. 1928. Reprinted from "World Unity Magazine". N 12
• The Banner of Peace. Dedicated to the Banner of Peace Convention Waschington, November 17, 1933. (Reprinted from the Special Peace Section of "The Scholar Annual", 1933). (Digest of articles)
• Roerich Pact and Peace Banner. The Red Cross of Culture. New World, Febrary, 1934
• Roerich Banner of Peace. Roerich Museum Press. New York, 1931
• Rericho Pactas ir taikos veliava (The Roerich Pact and the Banner of Peace) "Prof. NK Roeriho draugijos Lietuvoje" Liedinys. Kaunas. 1936
• The Roerich Pact and the Banner of Peace. Published by The Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace Committe. New York, 1947
• The Roerich Pact and the Banner of Peace. Ceremony of the Signing of the Roerich Pact. White House, Washington, DC, April 15, 1935

• Photo Gallery Sign of the Banner of Peace in World Art
• L.V. Shaposhnikova . Beauty and knowledge are the cornerstone (About the Banner of Peace and the Roerich Pact) // “Culture” newspaper, No. 14 (7473) April 14–20, 2005)
• Ivanova T. A., Sinenko S. P. On the practice of applying the symbolism of the Roerichs // Defend the name and heritage of the Roerichs. - T. 5. Documents. Publications in the press. Essays. M.: International Center of the Roerichs, 2010. S. 220—227.
• Petrova E.V. Commentary by a Specialist on the Protection of the Exclusive Right to Trademarks // Defend the Roerichs Name and Heritage. - T. 5. Documents. Publications in the press. Essays. M.: International Center of the Roerichs, 2010. S. 220—227.
• Hall of the Banner of Peace of the International Center-Museum named after N.K. Roerich (virtual tour)
• Vyacheslav Morgachev. Insignia // Newspaper "Culture", No. 14 (7473) April 14 - 20, 2005
• M.P. Kutsarova. Protection of the Sign of the Banner of Peace - Red Cross Culture
• A. L. Barkova . Symbols of the Banner of the Roerich Peace
• A.N. Balandin , M.N. Chiryatiev, N.V. Belyak, G.S. Lebedev. Banner of Peace in space // Defend the culture. Materials of the international public scientific conference dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Roerich Pact. 1995. - M.: International Center of the Roerichs, 1996—208 p.
• The anniversary of the Roerich Banner of Peace is celebrated in the Himalayas // ITAR-TASS , 04/06/09
• The Astrakhan Kremlin raised the Banner of Peace. The ministry of culture of the Astrakhan region, UNESCO Chair “Preservation of the cultural heritage of the region” // 04/16/09 took part in this action
• Festival “Sound the Earth!” Under the Banner of Peace // Portal “Museums of Russia”, 04/22/2009
• Culture Day in Tver // Website of the Tver Regional Roerich Public Organization, 04.16.09
• Chistova M. - Banner of the World: From the Past to the Future // Website “Belovodye” of the Altai Regional Public Organization “Roerich Society“ Belovodye ”, 01/23/2012