Changes to the flag of Fiji?

In Fiji, the Great Council of Chiefs today is expected to discuss the possibility of some changes to the national flag.

Labour Party attack on the English flag

A Labour Party official in the United Kingdom caused outrage last night after suggesting sports fans who wave the flag of England are racist.

Flags of the Day

Today is Independence Day in Barbados and Yemen; Flag Day in Bolivia and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; St. Andrew's Day in Scotland; National Heroes' Day in the Philippines; and the anniversary of the chage of the name of Dahomey to Benin.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

Today is Liberation Day in Albania; William Tubman's Birthday in Liberia; and Unity Day in Vanuatu.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

Today is Independence Day in Mauritania, Panama, and East Timore.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Rules guide on use of Tamileelam National flag published

The Tiger symbol of Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) created in 1977, was designated as the National Flag of Tamileelam in 1990. Tamileelam is part of what is today known as Sri Lanka (formlerly Ceylon) including the coastal regions on the west, north, and eastern portions of the island.

LTTE Saturday released an updated version of the guide providing instructions and explaining the correct usage of the Tamileelam National Flag. The guide written in Tamil specifies the regulations for flying alone or with national flags of other countries, and for general handling of the flag. The National Flag has four colors, yellow, red, black, and white.

Flags of the Day

Today is Flag Day in Paraguay; and the 300th anniversary of the creation of the Russian Marine Corps by Tzar Peter the Great.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Two New Historic Flags of Tennessee

These two flags are hot of the press from the great flag guys at The Flag Guys (where they still say "Yes Sir", "Yes Ma'am" and "Thank You For Your Business"®).

The first is a 3x5 foot reproduction of the original Old Glory of Captain William Driver, a former New England sea captain and supporter of the Union in the late unpleasantness, whose nickname for his personal flag became a part of national folklore when the Union Army raised his flag over the Tennessee capitol building in 1862. The original flag measures about 9 feet by 15 feet, and is in the Smithsonian Institution.

The second is the flag of the Rock City Guards, a three company Nashville militia battalion that became part of the 1st Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers. Among its soldiers was Private George W. Driver, son of Captain William Driver. The flag was made in April 1861, after Virginia joined the Confederacy as its 8th state, but before Tennessee formally seceded. Tennessee is represented at the 9th star outside the circle, representing that we weren't in the fold yet, but were on the way. The original flag measures about 3 feet wide and almost 7 feet long, and is in the Tennessee State Museum. Private Driver was mortally wounded at the battle of Perryville, Keentucky, in September 1862.

Flags of the Day

Today is Republic Day in Chad; and Flag Day in Colombia.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Bridge Burners flag

In November 1861, East Tennessee unionists burned 5 railroad bridges as part of a plot to assist a Union Army invasion of Tennessee. The East Tennessee Historical Society in Knoxville has received a Union flag that covered the coffin of one of the bridge burners, who was summarily hanged for his actions in the event.

Diggers' flag on eBay

A LONG-lost Australian flag hand-made in secret by PoWs in Singapore during World War II may have turned up after 60 years -- for sale on eBay.

Mozambique may remove rifle from national flag

MAPUTO - Mozambique is considering removing the image of a rifle from its national flag, ditching a militant symbol that portrayed the country's struggle to gain independence from Portugal.

Flag of the Day

Today is Independence Day in Suriname.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Today's Flags at Rosehill

Today we are flying with the flag of Tennessee, the flag of the Commonwealth of Virginia, where, on December 4, 1619, settlers stepped ashore at Berkeley Hundred along the James River and, in accordance with the proprietor's instruction that "the day of our ship's arrival ... shall be yearly and perpetually kept as a day of thanksgiving," celebrated the first official Thanksgiving Day in the English colonies.

As you can see the the way the flagpole is bending, it is a gloriously windy day--a great day for flag flying.


We are also flying the Thanksgiving Flags mentioned in yesterday's post.

Frappr Map

Father Jim Tucker, whose blog Dappled Things was kind enough yesterday to link to my Thanksgiving Flags note, has brought to my attention a new toy -- the Frappr Map system. One can form a group of members, identified by their zipcodes (not specific addresses) plotted on a Google map. So, for instance, readers of Vexillarium can now add themselves to our new map and see where their fellow readers are located. Go ahead, add yourself!

Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving Day to All

By the President of the United States Of America
A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

G. Washington

Thanksgiving Flags

A little vexillological humor

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, and you must have been thinking about what flags you will fly tomorrow. Since it is a national holiday, we must, of course, fly the flag of the United States:


But what else should we fly for the day?

Well, an obvious one is the flag of TURKEY:


All of that food will undoubtedly include a lot of GREECE:


And with all of that food available, you had better be HUNGARY:


Of course, we have to break out the China; but not any old China will do. We have to look to Taiwan, because for Thanksgiving Day we can only use the GOOD CHINA!


MAY YOU ALL HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING DAY!

Flags of the Day

Today is Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan; and Flag Day in Niger.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flag of the Day

Today is Independence Day in Lebanon.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

Today is Flag Day in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and Ratification Day in North Carolina.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

Today is Revolution Day in Mexico; and Queen Elizabeth's Wedding Anniversary.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

Today is Garifuna Day in Belize; Flag Day in Brazil; Coup d'Etat Day in Mali; and Discovery Day in Puerto Rico.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

Today is Army Day in Haiti; Republic Day in Latvia; Independence Day in Morocco; and Flag Day in the Solomon Islands.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

Today is Armed Forces Day in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Constitution Day in Macedonia; and Flag Day in Morocco.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

Today is Flag Day in Benin; Rebirth Day in Estonia; and Heritage Day in Oklahoma; and the feast day of St. Margaret, Queen of Scots.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

Today is the Official Birthday of His Majesty Albert II, King of the Belgians. It is also Republic Proclamation Day in Brazil.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flag of the Day

Today is the Birthday of Britain's Prince Charles.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

Today is Sun Yat Sen's Birthday, which is observed in both the Republic of China and the Peoples Republic of China.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Rev War flags to be auctioned

Four flags from American units, taken by the infamous British cavalry officer, Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, during the American Revolution, have returned to America from Britain. They will be auctioned by Sotheby's of Manhattan.

Flags of the Day

Today is Veterans Day in the United States; and Armistance/Remembrance Day in Belgium, Canada, France, the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth. It is also Independence Day for Angola, Poland, and Rhodesia; the Anniversary of the Independence of Cartagena in Columbia; Freedom Fighters' Day in Latvia; Republic Day in the Maldives; and Statehood Day in Washington.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

Today is Flag Day in Guinea; and the Anniversary of the Death of Ataturk in Turkey.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Some Flag-related Photos from our Great Holiday

Nora, Kate, Kate's friend Elizabeth, and I spent five fun-filled days in Northern Virginia and DC, including White House tours in both Washington and Richmond. Unfortunately, photography was prohibited in both White Houses, and we forgot the cameras on our tour of Mount Vernon.



The photo above is the flag at Arlington Cemetery flying over Arlington House.



Here I am with the ensign of the CSS Shenandoah [photo by Kate].



This flag spangled shirt belonged to Surgeon Edward G. Booth of the CSS Selma.



This is one of the four prototypes of the Confederate Battle Flag. This flag was made by Hetty Cary and given by her to Gen. Joseph E. Johnston.



Here are Elizabeth and Kate with a howitzer, and a flag on the wall of the Museum of the Confederacy the identification of which I can't remember.



This is not a flag-related photo, but is a National Emblem. The statue of George Washington on the Washington Monument in Richmond became the central design of the Great Seal of the Confederate States of America.

During our holiday, we visited the graves of five Presidents, George Washington, James Monroe, John Tyler, Jefferson Davis, and John Kennedy.

Flags of the Day

Today is Independence Day in Cambodia; and Flag Day in Dominica.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

A Great Adventure

I am off to a great adventure for my birthday, in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Flags of the Day

I will be away from the computer for several days. So, here is a list of "Flags of the Day" to cover that period.



Today is Independence Day in Dominica, Equador, Micronesia, and Panama. It is also Culture Day in Japan.



Friday is National Unity Day in Italy; and Constitution Day in Tonga.



Saturday is the anniversary of the 1st Declaration of Independence in El Salvador; Guy Fawks Day in the United Kingdom; and my Birthday.



Sunday is Flag Day in Chad and the Dominican Republic; Swedish Day in Finland; and Green March Anniversary in Morocco.



Monday is Revolution Day in Bulgaria; Day of Accord and Conciliation in Russia; and Ben Ali Takeover Anniversary in Tunisia.



Tuesday is Statehood Day in Montana.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

The Death of Rosa Parks

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

As a mark of respect for the memory of Rosa Parks, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, that on the day of her interment, the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on such day. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Flags of the Day

Today is Statehood Day in North Dakota and South Dakota.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Conservation of a Battle Flag in Ohio

The Hancock Historical Museum in Findlay, Ohio, has conserved a flag of the Fort Meigs Rifles, Company C, 21st Ohio Infantry, at a cost of $25,000.

Working with a paper-thin needle and silk thread finer than a strand of hair, Jane Hammond stitched together the fragments of a Civil War flag carried by soldiers from the 21st Ohio Infantry.

"In many ways this fabric is closer to glass than it is to silk because it is crystallized," Ms. Hammond told a group of history enthusiasts gathered yesterday at the Hancock Historical Museum.

The 34-star flag was unveiled following a nearly year-long preservation effort by Ms. Hammond and other members of the Cleveland-based Intermuseum Conservation Association. A textile conservator, Ms. Hammond figures she put in at least 400 hours sewing the deteriorating pieces of the flag between two layers of nearly invisible silk gauze.

Flags of the Day

Today is All Saints Day. It is also the Day of Revolution in Algeria; State Day in Antigua and Barbuda; Memorial Day in Croatia; and National Anthem Day in Panama.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.