Blue ribbon
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In symbolism, blue ribbon is a term used to describe something of high quality. The usage came from The Blue Riband, a prize awarded for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by passenger liners.
The spelling blue riband is still encountered in most English-speaking countries, but in the United States, the term was altered to blue ribbon, and ribbons of this colour came to be awarded for first place in certain athletic or other competitive endeavours (such as county and state fairs).
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Fair competitions
In some fair competitions, particularly 4-H and FFA livestock and horticultural events, blue ribbons may be awarded to any project or exhibit which meets or exceeds all of a competition's judging criteria.
The project may not necessarily be the first place finisher, however. In such cases, a purple ribbon may given to the champion and second-place (or reserve) champion.
Other uses
In 2004 the Blue Ribbon started to be used in the United States as a symbol to raise awareness to bring home the troops. The ribbon stands for a clear vision for the future of how and when the troops will come home.
In Victoria, Australia, the blue ribbon is the symbol of remembrance for police officers killed in the line of duty [1].
In Canada, it is the symbol of an anti-tobacco, anti-second hand smoke campaign. Also it has same meaning in Japan. Students of the Hugh Boyd Secondary School in Richmond, British Columbia started the "Blue Ribbon Campaign" in 1999. Each year it has grown and now has taken on a national scope [2].
The "Blue Ribbon Online Free Speech Campaign" is an online campaign by the EFF endorsing the protection of free speech on the Internet.
In Spain, a blue ribbon has been used by those opposing the terrorism of ETA.
In Ukraine, a blue ribbon represents solidarity with Viktor Yanukovych's opposition, support for the "Party of Regions" (Ukrainian Партія регіонів) and protest against the seizure of power by Viktor Yushchenko during the Orange Revolution in December of 2004.
The blue ribbon is used in the Cedar Revolution in Lebanon in 2005, the movement to end perceived Syrian hegemony over Lebanese politics.
In Israel, blue ribbons indicate support for the Israel unilateral disengagement plan of 2004, as opposed to orange ribbons, which indicate opposition. It is intended to invoke the flag of Israel.
Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, which got it's name from originally having a blue ribbon tied around the neck of the bottle (between 1882 and 1916).
In Zimbabue, the term "blue ribbon" is in reference to "blue ribbon mills", the largest wheat refiner in the country.