"The earliest record we have of the lowering of a flag to signify a death was an occasion in 1612, when the Master of the 'Hearts Ease', William Hall, was murdered by Eskimos while taking part in an expedition in search of the North West Passage. On rejoining her consort, the vessel's flag was flown trailing over the stern as a mark of mourning. On her return to London, the 'Hearts Ease' again flew her flag over the stern and it was recognised as an appropriate gesture of mourning." [more inside]
posted by Deflagro
on Dec 7, 2011 -
11 comments
A well-designed flag The US flag is made up of two distinct elements: Stars and Stripes. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed its Flag Resolution which described the flag only in general terms. "Resolved that the flag of the United States be 13 stripes alternate red and white, that the union be 13 stars white in a blue field representing a new constellation." Nothing in the resolution dictated how the stars and stripes were to be arranged, resulting in some interesting designs.
[more inside]
posted by jazon
on Jul 5, 2009 -
42 comments
The Iraqi Governing Council has unveiled Iraq's
new flag design to almost
universal disapproval. Not only is the US-appointed Iraqi Governing Council increasingly unpopular, but to some Iraqis the flag looks uncomfortably similar to
Israel's.
And, as Chris Allbritton
points out, "damn, that's an ugly flag."
posted by Vidiot
on Apr 26, 2004 -
38 comments
Broadcast flag blues?! The EFF seems to be fighting a losing war against the FCC's proposed
"broadcast flag" initiative (Salon), but they're making a big last-minute push to get more people to spread the news and
contact the FCC. Will the broadcast flag initiative become a "gateway regulation", leading us to a future where Hollywood dictates to manufacturers what they can and cannot create? Mass exodus to Tokyo, anyone?!
posted by insomnia_lj
on Oct 27, 2003 -
4 comments
July 1942: United We Stand "Seven months after the United States entered World War II, magazines nationwide featured the American flag on their covers. Adopting the slogan United We Stand, some five hundred publications waved the stars and stripes to promote national unity, rally support for the war, and celebrate Independence Day."
posted by owillis
on Jul 5, 2003 -
60 comments
A possible new retina-burning bar-code
"flag" is being proposed for the EU. Surely they will say no, and keep their nice
classic version. As one person said, "This is one of those ideas that would seem great around a boardroom table after a couple of Aussie chardonnays, but in practice it doesn't work." On the positive side the star-design would be hard to add new members, while the bar-code is so busy and ugly no one would notice.
posted by rhyax
on May 10, 2002 -
16 comments
Headlines You'd Never have seen b4 9-11 Owner of world's largest U.S. flag dies at 72
Thomas Demski, who owned the world's largest American flag, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, has died. He was 72.
This is what passes for news.
posted by Blake
on Jan 22, 2002 -
13 comments
Further Flag Folderol Teacher gets suspended for allegedly burning the American flag in front of his class. Will this wave of disrespect continue its unflagging pace? I wonder what the rest of the staff thinks. And you, of course.
posted by gazingus
on Sep 26, 2001 -
44 comments
Human flag. 72,000 San Diegans came out this past weekend to make a human stars and stripes. Apparently the FAA wouldn't give clearance for a helicopter to take aerial photos. How ironic.
posted by afx114
on Sep 23, 2001 -
8 comments
In a
throwaway comment the Telegraph reports an unprecedented criminal charge. "
Last week her colleague, Lindis Percy, 59, a former Greenham Common protester, was acquitted of criminal misuse of an American flag". An
earlier Independent article covers the background "
[T]he Crown Prosecution Service has accused Lindis Percy of being motivated by racist hatred of the American people when she "trailed" the US flag on the road at the US military eavesdropping base at Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire."
posted by Cuppatea
on May 3, 2001 -
6 comments
.... AWAY, AWAY - site for what looks like an interesting film on the Confederate flag debate. Be sure to check out the video clip.
posted by subpixel
on Mar 8, 2001 -
4 comments