NorthStar Flags

The United States of America is a melting pot for migrants out for a better life. We have become a nation endowed with a grouping of population coming from different countries and cultures. You name the nationalities and most likely we have them in our midst – we have the Africans, the Arabs, the Asians and new arrivals from Europe. No wonder then that we see a lot of foreign flags displayed by expatriates in their residences, their offices and particularly on special events.

Since these symbols are already here with us, it is therefore appropriate that we take a second look at our migrants country flag. For instance the Australia flag, it has a grouping of stars that ably corresponds to the Southern Cross and a union jack at the upper left hand corner. This simply stands for their historical attachment to Great Britain.

The India flag was designed following a pattern of spiritual and religious symbolism. Saffron signifies courage, ultimate sacrifice and renunciation of the spirit; the white at the center is light to guide the path to truth and conduct while also symbolizing unity, peace and purity; green meanwhile is for fertility and prosperity of the land; chakra is the symbol for law and progress; and the twenty four spokes wheel represents the dynamics of peaceful change 24 hours a day.

The flag of Japan has a red circle at the center, and it represents the rising sun. But what does it represent today? Or some other foreign flags that uses the crescent as a symbol, what does it represent? Oddly enough, we will never know what these symbols represent until we sit down and study its significance.

The United States of America is a melting pot for migrants out for a better life. We have become a nation endowed with a grouping of population coming from different countries and cultures. You name the nationalities and most likely we have them in our midst – we have the Africans, the Arabs, the Asians and new arrivals from Europe. No wonder then that we see a lot of foreign flags displayed by expatriates in their residences, their offices and particularly on special events.

Since these symbols are already here with us, it is therefore appropriate that we take a second look at our migrants country flag. For instance the Australia flag, it has a grouping of stars that ably corresponds to the Southern Cross and a union jack at the upper left hand corner. This simply stands for their historical attachment to Great Britain.

The India flag was designed following a pattern of spiritual and religious symbolism. Saffron signifies courage, ultimate sacrifice and renunciation of the spirit; the white at the center is light to guide the path to truth and conduct while also symbolizing unity, peace and purity; green meanwhile is for fertility and prosperity of the land; chakra is the symbol for law and progress; and the twenty four spokes wheel represents the dynamics of peaceful change 24 hours a day.

The flag of Japan has a red circle at the center, and it represents the rising sun. But what does it represent today? Or some other foreign flags that uses the crescent as a symbol, what does it represent? Oddly enough, we will never know what these symbols represent until we sit down and study its significance.

Do you know your country flag? What does it stand for? All countries around the world have riveting tales about their flags and the colors that was specifically chosen to visually reflect the true meaning of the flags.

What about the United States of America flag, what does it stand for? Well, if you come from an impoverished country ruled by a tyrant, then the American flag can only mean freedom – freedom from oppression, from want, injustice and equality. That is how foreigners view our flag and as the bastion of democracy we have the moral obligation to help those suffering from all forms of aggression to relieve them of their ordeal.

As a citizen, the American flag with the 50 stars represent the current 50 states of the union and the 13 stripes are for the 13 original states that rebelled against Britain and became the initial member of the union. But why are the stripes red or the stars white and why blue when any color can do. Some historians pointed out that red is for bravery and this is appropriate since we shed a lot of blood to get to where we stand today. Obviously, blue represents sovereignty or our desire as a nation to be independent and the right for self-governance.

One of the poignant memories that I can associate with our flag is the raising of the American tricolor at Iwo Jima at Mount Sirubachi by American soldiers and of course it gave me goose bumps to see the American flag being planted by astronauts on the surface of the moon.

Do you know your country flag? What does it stand for? All countries around the world have riveting tales about their flags and the colors that was specifically chosen to visually reflect the true meaning of the flags.

What about the United States of America flag, what does it stand for? Well, if you come from an impoverished country ruled by a tyrant, then the American flag can only mean freedom – freedom from oppression, from want, injustice and equality. That is how foreigners view our flag and as the bastion of democracy we have the moral obligation to help those suffering from all forms of aggression to relieve them of their ordeal.

As a citizen, the American flag with the 50 stars represent the current 50 states of the union and the 13 stripes are for the 13 original states that rebelled against Britain and became the initial member of the union. But why are the stripes red or the stars white and why blue when any color can do. Some historians pointed out that red is for bravery and this is appropriate since we shed a lot of blood to get to where we stand today. Obviously, blue represents sovereignty or our desire as a nation to be independent and the right for self-governance.

One of the poignant memories that I can associate with our flag is the raising of the American tricolor at Iwo Jima at Mount Sirubachi by American soldiers and of course it gave me goose bumps to see the American flag being planted by astronauts on the surface of the moon.

Does Illinois have a state flag? Yes officially that is, but the creation of the Illinois state flag came very late in its history. How? Illinois became a state of the union in 1818, yet it was only in 1915 or 100 years later that its official state symbol was realized. And credit should be given to the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for their effort in the making of the state flag.

A meeting was held in 1915 in Washington D.C. among the national chapters of the DAR, and each state had been represented alongside their state flags. On her part Ella Park Lawrence, a resident of Galesburg, Illinois the official representative to the national convention found out to her dismay that Illinois does not have an official state flag. Thus the frantic move to create the state flag of Illinois was put into motion.

With a 25 dollar price a statewide search for the winning design was relayed to all DAR chapters across Illinois. The entry from Rockford Center won, designed by Lucy Derwent based on the state’s official seal.

The official state flag had a white background and a bald eagle perched on a gray rock with dates 1818 and 1868 written across it. 1818 represents the year Illinois was admitted into the union, while 1868 was the year the official state seal was adopted. The beak of the bald eagle holds a red ribbon with the State Motto, “State sovereignty, national union” and a red, white and blue shield was added tilted against the rock. It is actually an ape of the national flag with 13 stripes and 13 stars.

Then in 1970 the word Illinois in blue was added to the state flag.

Does Illinois have a state flag? Yes officially that is, but the creation of the Illinois state flag came very late in its history. How? Illinois became a state of the union in 1818, yet it was only in 1915 or 100 years later that its official state symbol was realized. And credit should be given to the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for their effort in the making of the state flag.

A meeting was held in 1915 in Washington D.C. among the national chapters of the DAR, and each state had been represented alongside their state flags. On her part Ella Park Lawrence, a resident of Galesburg, Illinois the official representative to the national convention found out to her dismay that Illinois does not have an official state flag. Thus the frantic move to create the state flag of Illinois was put into motion.

With a 25 dollar price a statewide search for the winning design was relayed to all DAR chapters across Illinois. The entry from Rockford Center won, designed by Lucy Derwent based on the state’s official seal.

The official state flag had a white background and a bald eagle perched on a gray rock with dates 1818 and 1868 written across it. 1818 represents the year Illinois was admitted into the union, while 1868 was the year the official state seal was adopted. The beak of the bald eagle holds a red ribbon with the State Motto, “State sovereignty, national union” and a red, white and blue shield was added tilted against the rock. It is actually an ape of the national flag with 13 stripes and 13 stars.

Then in 1970 the word Illinois in blue was added to the state flag.

I found this article about Williamsburg playing host to an extended display of historical flags captured by the British Forces in 1779 during the revolutionary war some 255 years ago. Actually these are four flags taken as trophies during the war, but was well preserved and has staged a homecoming particularly at the museums in colonial Williamsburg.

Story has it that these set of flags were kept by the family of notorious British cavalry leader Banestre Tarleton where it remained hidden for over two centuries until it was auctioned off late last year and sold to a private owner. The revolutionary flags on display are aptly named “Captured Colors: Four Battle Flags of the American Revolution”, in exhibit alongside revolutionary war-era firearms and
cavalry swords.

What makes this exhibit extra special is it proves beyond doubt the true existence and use of these flags as torch during one of the phases of our evolution as a nation. This is piece of history and everybody must have the chance to see it, whether in Williamsburg or the relic will have to be toured around the United States.

This is a testament to the struggles of our founding fathers, the hardship that they have to hurdle to build a nation. Likewise, it becomes necessary for us to examine and ponder on our glorious history and how it molded us to be the catharsis of freedom around the world.

For our flag manufacturers, this relic would serve to enlighten them that flags would remain forever, that they must strive to duplicate the feat of historical significance.

I found this article about Williamsburg playing host to an extended display of historical flags captured by the British Forces in 1779 during the revolutionary war some 255 years ago. Actually these are four flags taken as trophies during the war, but was well preserved and has staged a homecoming particularly at the museums in colonial Williamsburg.

Story has it that these set of flags were kept by the family of notorious British cavalry leader Banestre Tarleton where it remained hidden for over two centuries until it was auctioned off late last year and sold to a private owner. The revolutionary flags on display are aptly named “Captured Colors: Four Battle Flags of the American Revolution”, in exhibit alongside revolutionary war-era firearms and
cavalry swords.

What makes this exhibit extra special is it proves beyond doubt the true existence and use of these flags as torch during one of the phases of our evolution as a nation. This is piece of history and everybody must have the chance to see it, whether in Williamsburg or the relic will have to be toured around the United States.

This is a testament to the struggles of our founding fathers, the hardship that they have to hurdle to build a nation. Likewise, it becomes necessary for us to examine and ponder on our glorious history and how it molded us to be the catharsis of freedom around the world.

For our flag manufacturers, this relic would serve to enlighten them that flags would remain forever, that they must strive to duplicate the feat of historical significance.

Even before the union of independent states was consummated and became the United States of America (USA), each of the participating states had already an existing state flag? Yes, that is precisely true and the creation of the Stars Spangled Banner superseded all state flags and was adopted as the official national flag. Thus when flags are displayed, the state flags are placed lower than the national tricolor.

In the case of Alaska, the state flag was a product of a statewide contest among grade seven to twelve students in 1926. The winning entry was designed by a thirteen year old – Benny Benson. The design was actually a composition of eight gold stars on a blue background, it represents the Big Dipper and the more visible North Star. And in 1927 the State of Alaska legislators adopted the design as the official flag of the territory of Alaska. Likewise later the framers of the Alaska constitution also placed their stamp of approval making it the official flag of the State of Alaska.

To complete the patriotic symbol of the people of Alaska, Marie Drake a long time employee of the Department of Education penned the lyrics of the “Alaska’s Flag” which first appeared as a poem in 1935. It was Elinor Dusenbury wife of the commander of Chilkoot Barracks at Haines from 1933 to 1936 who composed the melody for the “Alaska’s Flag”. The inclusion of “Alaska’s Flag” as the official song of the territory was made by the legislature in 1955.

Alaska officially joined the union and became one of the states of the United States in 1959.

Even before the union of independent states was consummated and became the United States of America (USA), each of the participating states had already an existing state flag? Yes, that is precisely true and the creation of the Stars Spangled Banner superseded all state flags and was adopted as the official national flag. Thus when flags are displayed, the state flags are placed lower than the national tricolor.

In the case of Alaska, the state flag was a product of a statewide contest among grade seven to twelve students in 1926. The winning entry was designed by a thirteen year old – Benny Benson. The design was actually a composition of eight gold stars on a blue background, it represents the Big Dipper and the more visible North Star. And in 1927 the State of Alaska legislators adopted the design as the official flag of the territory of Alaska. Likewise later the framers of the Alaska constitution also placed their stamp of approval making it the official flag of the State of Alaska.

To complete the patriotic symbol of the people of Alaska, Marie Drake a long time employee of the Department of Education penned the lyrics of the “Alaska’s Flag” which first appeared as a poem in 1935. It was Elinor Dusenbury wife of the commander of Chilkoot Barracks at Haines from 1933 to 1936 who composed the melody for the “Alaska’s Flag”. The inclusion of “Alaska’s Flag” as the official song of the territory was made by the legislature in 1955.

Alaska officially joined the union and became one of the states of the United States in 1959.