Flags of the Day

Today is Kalevala Day in Finland; Independence Day in Egypt; and Burgsonndeg in Luxemburg.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Wrong flag burned again

In this AP photo, Muslims in Kashmir burn what is supposed to be a "Danish" flag. It is actually the flag of England.

Flags of the Day

Today is Flag Day in Antigua and Barbuda; Independence Day in the Dominican Republic; and Republic Day in Western Sahara.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

52-star flag burned

The Pakisanis in this AP photo are burning a 52-star version of the US flag. The number of stars indicate that this is a home-made flag; although it is quite nicely done. The maker but much more pride in his work than most burners of home-made flags.

AP wrong on flag ID

The caption with this Associated Press photo of Pakistanis protesting Danish cartoons states that the men are standing on Danish flags. The flags in the photo are Norwegian.

Flags of the Day

Today is Liberation Day in Kuwait.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Bishop of Nashville

Monday, the Most Reverend David R. Choby will be ordained and installed as the new Bishop of Nashville. Bishop-elect Choby has been our pastor since we moved to Sumner County over 15 years ago, and he has been a pastor in every sense of the word. Pope Benedict XVI has blessed the Diocese of Nashville by giving this man to the diocese as Bishop. We, at St. John Vianney Church in Gallatin, are pleased and proud, but also a little sad about sharing our treasure with the rest of Middle Tennessee.

We had a great party for Father/Bishop-elect Choby last night. In the process, I learned the design of his new episcopal coat-of-arms. I am sure that a better version will be available soon, but in the mean-time, here is my inadequate rendition.

Cycling Vexillology

This cartoon is found on the blog of a cartoonist called kinkyturtle.

Flags of the Day

Today is Flag Day in Bangladesh and Peru; National Day in Kuwait; Coronado Day in Mexico; and People's Revolution Day in the Philippines.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

Today is Independence Day in Estonia; Liberation Day in Ghana; Vincennes Day in Indiana; and Flag Day in Mexico.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

Today is Independence Day in Brunei; Republic Day in Guyana; and Day of Defenders of the Motherland in Russia. It is also Iwojima Day in the United States; and the Memorial of St Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, martyr. On this date in 1861, the voters of Texas ratify the ordinance of secession adopted by the Texas Convention on February 4th; but the secession would not be official until March 2, 1861, the 15th anniversary of Texan independence from Mexico.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

Today is the birthday of President George Washington. On this date in 1862, Jefferson Davis was inaugurated President of the Confederate States of America, completing the organization of the government under the permanent Constitution. Today is also Girl Guides Thinking Day in the British Commonwealth; Unity Day in Egypt and Syria; Mothers Day in India; and Independence Day in St. Lucia.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

South Carolina flag returns home after 150 years

A flag waived by South Carolina soldiers in the Mexican War has returned home more than 150 years after it flew alongside the Palmetto Regiment.

The flag apparently was stolen from the capitol in Columbia when it fell to Sherman's army in 1865. In 1889 it was given to the State of New York, where is it been until its recent return to South Carolina.

Flags of the Day

Today is Martyrs' Day in Bangladesh.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Tennessee's first state flag on exhibit at ETSU museum

The Tennessee State Museum's special exhibit on the Tennessee flag is now at the Carroll Reece Museum at East Tennessee State University.

The exhibit opened at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville last April, the centennary of the flag's adoption. The Nashville exhibit closed in October, and moved on to Knoxville, before the recent relocation to Johnson City, the home of Le Roy Reeves, the flag's designer.

Five storey high Canadian flag in Turin

It is easy to find the Canadian contingent at the Winter Olympics in Turin. Just look for the five-storey Canadian flag draped along the facade of one of three buildings they occupy.

"Our large Canadian flag is certainly the highlight here," said Nathalie Cook, Canadian Olympic Committee assistant press chief and tour guide. "You can see it for miles."

Flags of the Day

Today is the federal holiday for Washington's Birthday. It is also the Feast of St Eucherius.

The Washington's Birthday holiday is often refered to as "Presidents' Day". This is not correct. The law establishing federal holidays, 5 USC 6103(a), lists the third Monday in February as Washington's Birthday. There may be an observance of "Presidents' Day" in some states, but there is no such holiday for the United States of America.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Congo has a new old flag again

In 1997 the government of Zaire was overthrown, the country's name was changed back to the Congo, and the flag used by the Republic of the Congo from 1960-1963 flew again as the national flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1973 the flag was changed, only to be replaced by the flag of the Republic of Zaire in 1971.

As I said, the overthrow of Zaire resulted in the resurrection of the 1960 flag of the Congo. Yesterday, a new consitution for the Congo went into effect, and with it the flag again changed. No, a new flag was not adopted. The 1960-63 flag, which flew again from 1997 to 2006, has been replaced with the flag of 1963-1971, shown in the above Reuters photo of yesterday's ceremonies in Kinshasa.

Got that?

Flags of the Day

Today is Martyrs Day in Ethiopia; Constitution Day in Gabon; Army Day in Mexico; and Flag Day in the Netherlands and Turkmenistan.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Socialists selling flag-burning kits

A socialist youth organisation in Australia wants university students flag-burning kits next week. The kits, containing an Australian flag, a lighter, a fire-lighting cube and socialist pamphlets, will be sold at university orientation week for $5 each.

Numerous groups and individuals in Australia in recent months have called for the punishment of flag burning. Prime Minister John Howard, however, has resisted such efforts, saying:

"I don't believe you should have a law making it a criminal offence to burn the Australian flag - much in all as I love and revere that flag,"

Flags of the Day

On this day in 1861, Jefferson F. Davis of Mississippi was inaugurated President of the provisional government of the Confederate States of America; and King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia became the first king of Italy. Today is Independence Day in Gambia; National Bun Day in Iceland; Mothers Day in Israel; and Constitution Day in Nepal. It is also the Commemoration of St Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem, martyr.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.