United States National Flag Day

23 06 2010

Flag Days exist all around the world, but the United States Flag Day commemorates Congress’s adoption of the 13-stripe, 13-star, red, white, and blue flag on June 14, 1777. The United States Flag Day’s beginnings date back to 1885, when nineteen-year old school teacher Bernard J. Cigrand placed an American flag on his desk and asked his students to write essays about the significance of the Stars and Stripes flag. Cigrand quickly became devoted to spreading the observance of the United States Flag Day nationwide. Finally, on May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson called for national observance of Flag Day. Flag Day became official when President Truman signed an Act of Congress in 1949 that designated National Flag Day as June 14 of each year.

Although Cigrand is often credited with the creation of the United States Flag Day, other people have also contributed to its existence. In 1861, four years before Cigrand’s classroom Flag Day, the book Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History credited George Morris of Hartford, Connecticut with suggesting the idea for a Flag Day. Hartford, Connecticut actually observed the suggested Flag Day in 1861 as a day for praying for the U.S. Army and the Government.

In 1888, Collier Township, Pennsylvania resident William T. Kerr founded and became the national chairman of the American Flag Day Association of Western Pennsylvania. Kerr led the organization for fifty years and attended President Truman’s signing of the official Flag Day Act in 1949.

In 1889, George Bolch celebrated Flag Day when he was the principal of a free kindergarten. Instead of recognizing Cigrand’s hometown of Waubeka, Wisconsin, as the official birthplace of the United States Flag Day, some recognize Philadelphia as Flag Day’s original city. In 1893, Elizabeth Duane Gillespie, President of the Colonial Dames of Philadelphia, tried to mandate the that all public buildings in Philadelphia fly the American Flag. Pennsylvania became the first state to make Flag Day official when they declared it a legal holiday in 1937.

Flag Day, although not a legal holiday, is celebrated across the country to varying degrees. Government buildings fly the flag at full mast and many towns organize parades, ceremonial flag raisings, and group recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star-Spangled Banner.


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The Flag of Greece

30 04 2010

The origins of the Greek flag that we know today can be traced back to the Hellenic Revolution in 1821 during which the Greeks declared their independence from the Ottoman Empire. The First National Assembly at Epidaurus adopted the current design, the “sea” flag, differing from the land flag (a white cross on a blue backdrop) and the merchant marine flag (a blue cross on a white background).

The origins of the Greek flag’s two components, a cross and stripes, are difficult to trace.  Both elements have ancient historical connotations, but there are no records from the National Assembly at Epidaurus explaining the exact reasons for the flag’s key features.

There have been dozens of versions of the Greek flag since the early 19th century, but the cross has always been a central feature.  Many versions of the Greek flag feature only a cross (no stripes), sometimes with a coat of arms or crown at the center of the cross displaying allegiance to a particular leader.  The cross on today’s Greek flag occupies the region in the top left corner, and is a white cross with a blue background, much like a mini-version of the old Greek land flag.  The cross, although Greece is now a democracy, demonstrates the Greek people’s devotion to and respect for the Greek Orthodox Church.  During the Ottoman rule, the Greek Orthodox Church helped the Greeks to retain their language, religion, and ethnic identity and Christianity is still the predominant religion among Greeks.

The Greek flag has nine blue and white stripes and there are two popular beliefs regarding the number nine.  There are nine letters in the Greek word for freedom, eleytheria.  There are also nine syllables in the phrase, “Eleftheria i Thanatos,” which translates as “Liberty or Death,” and was the motto during the Hellenic Revolution against the Ottoman Empire in 1821.   And despite popular beliefs, some simply believe that the design of the Greek emulates other prominent flags, such as the British East India Company’s 17th-century flag or the U.S. flag.

The blue and white colors of the flag symbolize the blue water and white-capped waves of the sea that surround the Greek peninsula.  According to Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, emerged from the waves of the Aegean sea.


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Indiana State Flag

26 08 2009

The Flag of Indiana was originally designed and created by a man named Paul Hadley. The flag was officially adopted on May 31st, 1917 and interestingly enough, the Indiana Flag has remained completely unchanged ever since.

Indiana State Flag

The design of the flag is a bit peculiar- the Indiana Flag is very much unlike any other flag in the American Union.  The flag depicts a torch burning, emblazoned atop a blue background.  Around the torch are a number of stars – 13 in the outer ring of stars, and 19 stars in total.  The outer ring of stars on the Indiana Flag is meant to symbolize of course the 13 original American Colonies.  There are a total of 19 stars on the entire flag, which is representative of the idea that Indiana was the 19th state to enter into the United States of America.  There are also a number of rays projecting from the torch, which were originally intended to symbolize Indiana’s far-reaching influence.  The torch itself is meant to symbolize liberty and enlightenment, and placed directly about the torch sits the name of the state, “INDIANA”.

The Flag of Indiana was originally created in large part due to the celebration of the state’s centennial anniversary, when the Indiana General Assembly issued a resolution to create and adopt a state flag.  Until this time, the state of Indiana did not yet have a flag to call its own.  A contest was adopted and sponsored by the Daughers of the American Revolution, at the request of the Indiana lawmakers.  More than two hundred submissions were received for consideration by the Daughters, and upon further examination, Paul Hadley’s flag was chosen to be the winner.  The flag of Indiana was officially adopted the very next year by the state’s lawmakers on May 31, 1917.


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Solar Powered Flag Light

10 08 2009

When passing by a court house or post office, you might stop some times and gaze at the giant flag waving proudly out front. Regardless of what your feelings are about the government and politicians, or any current event going on in our country, there’s still something humbling about that red, white, and blue symbol of freedom. We should all take a moment no and then to admire the US flag, and to make sure our children and grand children know what the United States flag stands for.

Solar Powered Flag LightProud Americans will often show their stubborn respect for this nation’s history by displaying that flag in his or her own home. But sometimes, that’s just not enough. If you look at a US flag posted outside a government building, you’ll notice that the flag is lit up, even at night.

So, when you really want to show your American pride to your neighbors and passing cars, install a solar powered flag light.

Solar Powered Flag Lights are a Low Cost Alternative to a Porch Light

Maybe American pride alone isn’t reason enough to install a flag light, but there are other benefits to consider as well. Solar powered porch lights can be installed quickly and easily onto any flagpole,  in your yard as well as on your porch, deck, pool, or patio area.

Although the light generated from a solar powered flag light is not enough to annoy your neighbors, it is just bright enough to create after hour lighting in the location of your preference. And, obviously, this outdoor lighting will not run up your utility bill because it is solar powered.

Show off Team Spirit with a Solar Powered Flag Light!

Having a sports rivalry battle with your neighbor? Proudly display your favorite sports team flag in your front yard, accentuated with a solar powered flag light, to remind everyone that your team is the greatest!


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Hawaii Flag

24 07 2009

The Hawaii flag is perhaps the most similar of all state flags to the traditional flag of the United States of America. Consisting of no other colors but the traditional red, white and blue, the Hawaii flag on first glance looks like no more than a hybrid British/American flag.

hawaii flag

The Hawaii Flag is very similar in design to the American flag – it consists of a rectangular field in the top left atop a field of stripes all around.  One major difference however is that while the stripes in the American flag are simply an alternating red and white pattern, the stripes of the Hawaii flag are red, white and blue.  Also, in the top left corner of the Hawaii flag sits a design much different from the traditional 50 star design of the American Flag.  Rather than the well known 50 star pattern atop a blue background, the image in the top left corner of the Hawaii flag is an exact  replica of the flag of the United Kingdom.

As previously mentioned, the Hawaii flag contains a field of st ripes surrounding the top left canon of the flag.  Traditionally, the American flag has had 13 stripes fashioned in this same manner; however the Hawaii flag has just eight.  The eight stripes of the Hawaii flag represent the eight major Hawaiian islands; Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Niihau.  There are also various conflicting reports as to the origins of the stripes as some claim that the stripes were influenced by various historical British flags, while still others claim the design was based upon the American flag.

Regardless of the exact origins of the Hawaii flag – origins that will likely forever remain unknown in their entirety – there is little doubt that the Flag of Hawaii, despite the tiny size of the island, has one of the most detailed histories of any state flag in the American Union


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Georgia Flag

24 07 2009

According to most accounts, the Georgia flag is still in its infancy as compared to most other flags in the United States of America.  Officially recognized as the flag of Georgia on May 8th, 2003, the Georgia flag has a design that is incredibly similar to that of the American flag.

georgia flag

Similar to the American flag, the Georgia flag consists of a design of red and white stripes with a blue field in the  top left corner of the flag.  However, in contrast to the American flag, the Seal of Georgia sits in the blue field of the Flag of Georgia as opposed to the 50 stars of the American Flag.

The Seal of Georgia in the top left of the flag consists of a yellow arch encircled by 13 white s tars.  The arch is meant to symbolize Georgia’s Constitution, and the three pillars supporting the arch represent the three branches of the Georgia government (Executive, Legislative and Judicial).  Also, wrapped around the three pillars in the Seal of the words “Wisdom, Justice, Moderation”, the Georgia state motto.  The entire seal is symbolically guarded by what looks to be a male soldier dressed in the traditional Colonial battle uniform, and directly below the seal sit the words “IN GOD WE TRUST”. Intrestingly enough, however, the actual text “IN GOD WE TRUST” is not a part of the Georgia state seal of the coat of arms, however it does appear on the Georgia flag.

Encircling the entire state seal are 13 white stars, symbolizing Georgia along with the 12 other states that originally formed the Confederate States of America.  One interesting thing to note is that the Georgia flag is often nicknamed the “Georgian Stars and Bars” after the flag from which it was originally derived – the Flag of the Confederate States of America.


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Florida Flag

24 07 2009

The flag of Florida consists of the seal of Florida emblazoned upon a white  background and a red saltire (diagonal cross). At first glance, the Florida flag seems strikingly simple – however upon further inspection, the intricacies of the flag of the “Sunshine State” start to become apparent.

florida flag

Despite the simplicity of the red cross on top of a white background, the centerpiece of the Florida flag is unusually complex.  Officially coined the “Great Seal of the State of Florida”, the centerpiece in the Florida flag does its best to represent the many facets of Florida life.

First and perhaps most obviously, the seal depicts a Seminole woman standing on the Floridian shoreline spreading Hibisucus flowers.  A steamboat can be seen in the background of the seal, sailing off into the strikingly beautiful Floridian horizon.  Also pictured on the seal of Florida is the state tree – the Sabal Palm.  Encircling the entire scene are the words “GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”.

Originally, the design of the Flag of Florida consisted of no more than the seal of Florida atop a white background.  However, this was changed in the late 1890s according to the wishes of General Francis P Fleming, who suggested that a red cross be added to the background so that the flag would not appear to simply represent the white flag of surrender when floating atop the flagpole.

One interesting thing to note about Florida is the fact that at least 16 different flags have flown over Florida at various times during its history.  Currently, there is even a small grassroots movement aimed at redesigning the Florida flag yet again to commemorate Florida’s 500th anniversary.  The future of the Florida flag remains yet to be seen – however one thing is very apparent, and that is that the Florida flag has perhaps one of the richest histories of any flag in the Untied States of America.


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Delaware Flag

24 07 2009

The Delaware flag consists of one of the most peculiar designs of any flag in the United States. In a general sense, the flag simply consists of the Delaware coat of arms placed upon a blue background.  Below the Delaware coat of arms sits the phrase “December 7, 1787″ which of course marks the day in which the state of Delaware ratified the United States Constitution – the first state to ever do so.

delaware flag

The flag layout and design sound simple enough; however the peculiarities arise upon further inspection of the Delaware coat of arms in the middle of the flag.  The center of the Delaware coat of arms consists of a shield of horizontal blue, white and green stripes with an ox in the center.  Also on the shield sit an ear of corn along with a sheaf of wheat – symbolic of Delaware’s agricultural industry.  Above the shield in the center of the Delaware flag sits a small ship sailing the Delaware waters.  Below the shield sits the state motto, “Liberty and Independence”, and holding the entire design together are a farmer and soldier placed on each side of the design.  Compared to many other state flags in the American Union, the Delaware flag design is unusually complex.

Just as with almost any other flag in the Union, the colors of the Delaware flag have a very interesting and symbolic meaning.  Officially, the flag consists of a buff-colored diamond on top of a field of colonial blue with the Delaware coat of arms placed squarely inside the center diamond.  The background ( colonial blue) and forground (buff-colored) sections of the Delaware flag have officially been designated “Arno Blue” and “Golden Beige”, respectively.  Interestingly enough, the colors of the Delaware flag were supposedly originally derived from the colors of George Washington’s uniform.


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Fiji Flag

21 07 2009

The Fiji Flag as it is in present use was adopted on October 10, 1970. Although the state arms have been slightly modified, the flag has remained the same since the colonial period.

Fiji previously has a national flag of blue and white vertical stripes with a red shield in the center depicting a white dove. When the country ceded to British Rule in 1874, Fiji relinquished its independence and was a British colony from 1874 to 1970.

fiji flag

The Fiji flag is a defaced sky-blue “Blue Ensign,” the actual Blue Ensign version of the Fiji flag is the Government’s Ensign. The bright blue background represents the Pacific Ocean, which is an important part in the lives of the islanders, with the fishing trade and tourism industry. The Union Jack embodies the country’s links to Great Britain.
The shield, on the right hand side of the flag, is derived from the country’s official coat of arms. The white shield has a red cross with a red chief. The images on the shield stand for the agriculture so important to Fiji and the historical connection with Great Britain. The top of the shield has a British lion which holds a cocoa pod between its paws. In the upper left portion is a sugar cane, and the upper right has a coconut palm. In the lower left area of the shield is a dove of peace and in the right a bunch of bananas.

The flag is such a wonderful tribute to the lives and industry of the Fiji Islands.


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Old Glory

21 07 2009

It’s not uncommon to hear the flag of the United States referred to as Old Glory, though the origin of this nickname is not commonly known. The saga of Old Glory involves the history of a particular flag that played a symbolic role in the Civil War. The story begins sometime in the 1820s, when a large flag (10 feet by 17 feet) was presented to a young sea captain named William Driver. According to history, the flag was made by Captain Driver’s mother and a group of young women in Salem, Massachusetts and was designed to be flown from a ship’s mast. The flag featured 24 stars on its blue field, and a small anchor had been sewn near the stars to indicate that it was a ship’s flag.

Old GloryCaptain Driver used the flag on the whaling ship Charles Doggett during an around the world voyage in 1831-32. It was at this time that Driver began referring to the flag as Old Glory. Driver retired from the seafaring life in 1837 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Old Glory came with him and was displayed for all patriotic occasions, becoming famous among the citizens of Nashville. By this time the flag was showing quite a bit of wear and had been mended many times.

Additional stars had been added to Old Glory over the years as states joined the Union, so that the total number was 34 by 1861. It was in that year that the Civil War began and Tennessee seceded from the Union. Fearing an action against Old Glory by rebel forces, Driver had the foresight to hide the flag inside the comforter on his bed. Stitched into place, it remained there safely until Union troops reclaimed Nashville the following year. Driver brought out his flag and it was flown from the spire of the Tennessee State Capitol. Old Glory was saluted by the Sixth Ohio Regiment, who adopted the name Old Glory as their motto. This event was reported in many newspapers, bringing national fame to Old Glory.

William Driver died in 1886 at the age of 83. His grave in Nashville is one of only 3 places in the U.S. that has been designated by an Act of Congress to fly a flag perpetually. Old Glory was preserved as a Driver family heirloom until 1922, when it was presented to the Smithsonian Institute. Along with the flag which inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner, Old Glory is one of the most important historical flags preserved at the Smithsonian.


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