The Montana State Flag

August 4, 2009August 4, 2009 ~ Online Stores ~ Leave a comment

The Flag of Montana was adopted in 1905 and the word “Montana” was added in 1981. In 1985, the flag was modified again to specify the font used for “Montana.” Prior to its use as the state flag, it was used by Montana troops deploying to the Spanish/American War.

The flag has a dark blue background/ensign with a seal in the middle of the flag. The seal has a plow, shovel, and pick rest in a field in front of the Great Falls of the Missouri River. The ribbon on the seal contains the state motto, “Oro y Plata” (Gold and Silver). The flag can have a gold fringe on the top and bottom edges. The seal represents some of Montana’s beautiful scenery and reflects the pioneering history of the state. The tools represent Montana’s mining and farming both in the past and present.

The following information was excerpted from the Montana Code Annotated 2005, Title 1, Chapter 1, Part 5.

TITLE 1. GENERAL LAWS AND DEFINITIONS.
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
Part 5. State Symbols — Official Designations.

1-1-502. State flag. There is hereby established a state flag of Montana. The state flag of Montana shall be a flag having a blue field with a representation of the great seal of the state in the center and with golden fringe along the upper and lower borders of the flag; the same being the flag borne by the 1st Montana Infantry, U.S.V., in the Spanish-American War, with the exception of the device, “1st Montana Infantry, U.S.V.”; and above the great seal of the state shall be the word “MONTANA” in helvetica bold letters of gold color equal in height to one-tenth of the total vertical measurement of the blue field.

Jamaican Flag

August 3, 2009August 3, 2009 ~ Online Stores ~ 1 Comment

The Jamaican flag was adopted on August 6, 1962, the original Jamaican Independence Day. It was then that Jamaica gained its independence from the British-protected Federation of the West Indies.

The flag features a diagonal cross which divides the flag into four sections, two of which are green and two of which are black. The black is said to symbolize the strength and creativity of the people, which has allowed them to overcome great obstacles. The yellow stands for sunshine and Jamaica’s natural wealth. The green is for the lush and rich vegetation of the island. This current design was the result of a national competition where ideas were sent in from the public. These colors are all Pan-African colors and are used to pay tribute to Jamaica’s significant African heritage.

Jamaican flag etiquette requires that primary flag etiquette be used. It should always be the primary flag flown and in good condition. The Jamaican government provides the following etiquette:

Code for use of the Jamaican Flag
• The Jamaican flag should never be allowed to touch the ground or floor. It should not be flown or used only for decorative purposes on anything that is for temporary use and is likely to be discarded, except on state occasions.
• The flag should never be smaller than any other flag flown at the same time.
• When the flag becomes worn and must be replaced, burn it.
• Do not place any other flag above or to the right of the Jamaican flag, except at foreign embassies, consulates and missions.
• Do not raise any foreign flag publicly, unless the Jamaican flag is also flown, except at foreign embassies, consulates and missions.
• The flag shouldn’t be draped over vehicles, except on military, police and state occasions.”

The Venezuelan Flag

July 31, 2009 ~ Online Stores ~ Leave a comment

The Flag of Venezuela was officially adopted on March 12, 2006; however, it dates back to 1811 and the nation’s struggle for independence. The design includes a horizontal tricolor of yellow, blue, and red. Modifications added a set of stars, changed the placement of the stars, and the number of stars, as well as adding an optional coat of arms in the upper-left corner.

The flag is pretty much one that was designed by Francisco de Miranda. His flag was also the inspiration for the flags of Columbia and Ecuador. The original design was first flown on March 12, 1806 in Jacmel, Haiti during the final leg of Miranda’s voyage to Venezuela. The flag was first flown on Venezuelan soil on August 3, 1806 at Ka Vela de Coro. Until August 3, 2006, Flag Day was celebrated on March 12. Since then, it has been celebrated on August 3^rd.

Traditionally, the color yellow represents wealth of the land, the blue is for courage, and the red is for independence from Spain. The stars represent colonial provinces of Barcelona, Barinas, Caracas, Cumana, Margarita, Merida, Trujillo, and Guayana.

In 1954, the Law of the National Flag, Coat of Arms, and Anthem added the Coat of Arms to the flag. The coat was not incorporated into the Civil or Maritime Flag as they are intended for non-governmental purposes. The flag is to be flown every day by legally registered public institutions from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

First American Flag on Mount Everest

July 30, 2009August 21, 2012 ~ Online Stores ~ 3 Comments

by Catie Watson

The year 1963 was one of the most significant in American history, marked by the assassination of President Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech. It was also in 1963 that an American climber first reached the summit of Mount Everest and placed an American flag there.

In May of 1963, the National Geographic Society sponsored an expedition to Everest and asked Barry Bishop to serve as photographer for the team. Bishop was an experienced mountaineer, geographer and photographer. An American mountaineer named Jim Whittaker was the first American member of the team to reach the summit of Mount Everest, where he planted an American flag. A few weeks later, Bishop ascended to the peak with his climbing partner Lute Jerstad and took a now-famous photo of the U.S. flag planted by Jim Whittaker. The spot where the photo was taken is still known as Barry Bishop ledge.

On the descent, Bishop and Jerstad fell into a crevasse but were rescued by other members of the expedition. Bishop suffered frostbite and subsequently lost all of his toes. In July of 1963, President Kennedy presented Whittaker, Bishop and the rest of the team with the National Geographic Society’s highest award, the Hubbard Medal. In 1994, Barry Bishop’s son Brent also ascended Everest, making the Bishops the first father and son to have both climbed to the top of Mount Everest.

Barry Bishop tragically died in an auto accident that same year. Jim Whittaker went on to become CEO of REI and is currently Chairman of the Board of Magellan Navigation.

Dominican Republic Flag

July 28, 2009 ~ Online Stores ~ Leave a comment

Article 96 of the Dominican Constitution describes the flag of the Dominican Republic. It features a white cross centered on the flag that extends to the edges and divides the flag into four rectangles; the top left and right bottom are blue and the top right and bottom left are red.

Found at the center of the Dominican Flag is the small coat or arms. It has four Dominican flags, a bible, a cross of gold, and two spears. There’s also an olive branch on one side and a palm on the other. The ribbon above the shield reads “Dios, Patria, Libertad,” which means “God, Fatherland, Liberty.” Below the shield is a red ribbon bearing the name of the country, “Republica Dominicana.”

The bible on the shield is open to John 8:32 which reads, “Y la verdad nos hará libre” (And the truth shall set us free.)

The blue on the flag represents liberty. The white on the flag embodies salvation. And the red on the flag stands for the blood of its heroes.

The civil ensign follows the same design; however, it does not include the charge in the center. On land and on sea the civil flag doesn’t carry the coat of arms. Only the state flag has the coat of arms, which was adopted in 1844 and placed on the state flag for distinction.

According to some historians, the Dominican Republic’s capital of Santo Domingo claims the oldest university in the New World as well as the oldest hospital, house, street, and Cathedral. Many people from all over the world come to Santo Domingo to visit the delightful city.

Oregon Flag

July 27, 2009July 27, 2009 ~ Online Stores ~ Leave a comment

The Oregon state flag is the only one with a different picture on each side. The only countries with a two-sided flag are Paraguay and Moldova. The reverse side (back) has a beaver, which is Oregon’s state animal. For this reason, the state is often called the Beaver State. Both sides of the flag have a field of navy blue with a gold design. The state’s motto is “She Flies With Her Own Wings” and “The Union.”

The front picture is of a heart shaped shield with an eagle on top surrounded by thirty-three stars representing Oregon’s admission to the Union as the 33^rd state. The shield depicts the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, mountains, a covered wagon, and forests. The covered wagon represents the Oregonians who traveled on the Oregon Trail to settle the West. A plow, pickax, and wheat symbolize the farming and mining of the state. The eagle denotes the United States.

It also has a British ship leaving and an American ship arriving. This is to symbolize the transfer of the Oregon Territory from British to US control in 1846, when President Polk signed a treaty with England.

Oregon became a state in 1859; however, its current flag didn’t become official until February, 1925. It does have STATE OF OREGON on the top of the flag and 1859 on the bottom to represent the year Oregon became a state in the union.

For parade or dress usage, gold fringe on the flag may be used; however, for standard usage no fringe is required. Other protocols listed in state law require the flag to be flown on all public buildings during normal hours except during harsh weather. A public building is defined as :

(a) State institutions.

(b) All other state buildings upon which the Oregon Department of Administrative Services determines it is suitable to display the Oregon State flag.

SEEKING: Bloggers for Flag Blog

April 17, 2009April 20, 2009 ~ Online Stores ~ Leave a comment

Do you have an interest in flags? Do you enjoy writing?

You are in luck! We are seeking talented bloggers to write for the Flag Blog, a partner site of the United States Flag Store (http://www.united-states-flag.com)!

All writers, if selected, will be generously compensated for their time and efforts – and what’s better than getting paid to write about something you love anyways?

If you are interested, email us today with the following information:

Name and e-mail address.
Why are you interested in this position?
Do you have experience blogging?

Flag History: Ancient to Present Day

March 12, 2009April 15, 2009 ~ Online Stores ~ 2 Comments

You see flags everywhere from federal buildings to clubs and organizations. Flags are used to commemorate special celebrations and events. They are also flown at half-mast to honor the dead, and draped over the coffins of national heroes. Most people know the current meanings of flags, but do we know flag history?

People have been using flags for more than 4,000 years. Ancient flags were called vexilloids, meaning guide, made of metal or wooden poles featuring a unique carving at the top of the pole. The first known metal flag is made of metal from Iran dating back to 3000 BC. Evidence of flags has also been found on ancient Greek coins and Egyptian tomb carvings. As time went on, approximately 2,000 years ago, pieces of fabric were added to vexilloids for decoration creating similarity to flags of today.

Now, we fast-forward to the middle ages of knights, kings, and queens. Long ago during the Middle Ages, flags were used as a means to give others information, such as who they are. During the middle ages, knights carried flags for identification purposes, because it was difficult to discern whom the knights were when they were covered in armor for battle. Flags were of great importance during this time because they helped soldiers discern friends from enemies in battle.

Today flags are used to convey information, signals or stand for special symbols or things. Many organizations including the Girl Scouts and the United Nations have flags. Clubs and organizations also have their own flags. For example, the five circles of the Olympic flag represent to joining of people from five continents in friendly competition. The United Nations flag displays an image of olive branches cradling the world conveying a message of peace. Notorious people such as royalty have their own personal flag to fly over any building they are staying.

It really is quite interesting how flags have evolved over the last 4,000+ years and it is time to celebrate current flags. There are flags for everything from holidays, armed forces, international, and much more. Find your favorite flag!

History of the Irish Flag

March 4, 2009April 9, 2009 ~ Online Stores ~ 2 Comments

Did you know Ireland has had two national flags? They are the Green Flag and the Tricolor Flag. One flag is green with a harp and the other is tricolored with green, orange, and white.

The current Irish flag is a tricolor of green, white and orange. It has three colors of equal size and vertically disposed with the green displayed next to the staff. Some say that the flag is gold as opposed to orange, from the gold harp on the original Green Flag.

This confusion arose in the 1916-22 period when the tricolor flag, which had previously been marginal and little known, was superseding the Green Flag as the national emblem. Green and gold, the colors of the Green Flag, were regarded as the national colors throughout the nineteenth century and some of the homemade tricolors from the 1916-22 period were in fact green, white and gold. There are also some songs from that period that refer to ‘green, white and gold’ flags and this helped to keep the concept alive, but the symbolism of the green, white and orange dates from 1848.

Thomas Francis Meagher first introduced the Tricolor Flag during the revolutionary year, 1848 as an emblem of the Young Ireland movement, and it was often seen displayed at meetings alongside the French tricolor.

The green represents the older Gaelic and Anglo-Norman population, while the orange represents the Protestant planters, supporters of William of Orange. The meaning of the white was well expressed by Meagher when he introduced the flag. He stated, “The white in the center signifies a lasting truce between the ‘Orange’ and the ‘Green’ and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of the Irish Protestant and the Irish Catholic may be clasped in heroic brotherhood.”

This flag did not come into general usage until the War of Independence (1919-1921). Prior to this, the green flag with gold harp was the main symbol of nationalism. It was not until the Rising of 1916, when it was raised above the General Post Office in Dublin that the tricolor came to be regarded as the national flag, but only at the creation of the first House of Representatives /Commons did the current Tricolor become widely recognized as a national flag.

Show your spirit with an Ireland Flag. Even you are not of Irish descent it does not matter. Don your green apparel and shamrocks and have fun!

Expressing NASCAR Enthusiasm

February 16, 2009April 9, 2009 ~ Online Stores ~ 2 Comments

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! I’m almost certain you know what that means. It’s NASCAR season. All of the great drivers including Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and Tony Stewart are showing off their amazing driving skills.

NASCAR season is like Christmas – a time to get together with friends and family. Yes, I know the festivities associated with racecar driving. Everyone gets together on the weekends to root for his or her favorite driver and revel in the excitement of the race. Adults are inside playing cards and watching the race while the kids are outside playing.

I don’t know about all of you, but I enjoy showing my enthusiasm for the sport of racecar driving. My house has NASCAR flags inside and out showing how much I love racing. Seeing as I drive as if I belong on a racetrack my vehicle dons NASCAR car flags too. I am telling you people I am an absolute racing fanatic.

It gets better, I have NASCAR collectible cars in display cases to keep them from getting dusty or ruined. Hey, you never what can happen when you have a house full of people over. Another fun NASCAR item I have is a checkered flag for people to walk through when leaving or entering my house. It makes them feel like winners and who doesn’t like that feeling?

Come on people, what are you waiting for? Get your home decorated for NASCAR season and show your support for your favorite driver. See you at the races!