Carrot Top

Arizona State Flag

The 13 rays of red and gold on the top half of the flag represent both the 13 original colonies of the Union, and the rays of the Western setting sun. Red and gold were also the colors carried by Coronado’s Spanish expedition in search of the Seven Cities of Cibola in 1540. The bottom half of the flag has the same Liberty blue as the United States flag. Since Arizona was the largest producer of copper in the nation, a copper star was placed in the flag’s center.

Arkansas State Flag

A diamond on a red field represents the only place in North America where diamonds have been discovered and mined. The twenty-five white stars around the diamond mean that Arkansas was the twenty-fifth state to join the Union. The top of four stars in the center represents that Arkansas was a member of the Confederate States during the Civil War. The other three stars represent Spain, France and the United States, countries that had earlier ruled the land that includes Arkansas.

Alabama State Flag

A crimson St. Andrew’s cross on a white field, patterned after the Confederate Battle Flag, and adopted in 1895. The bars forming the cross must not be less than six inches broad and must extend diagonally across the flag from side to side. Flag was adopted in 1895.

Alaska State Flag

Alaska adopted the flag for official state use in 1959. The blue field represents the sky, the sea, and mountain lakes, as well as Alaska’s wildflowers. Emblazoned on the flag are eight gold stars: seven from the constellation Ursa Major, or the Big Dipper. The eighth being the North Star, representing the northern most state.

Alaska’s flag was designed in 1926 by a 13-year-old Native American boy, Bennie Benson, from the village of Chignik. Bennie received a 1,000-dollar scholarship and a watch for his winning entry in the flag design contest.

The Georgia State flag has three red and white stripes and the state coat of arms on a blue field in the upper left corner. Thirteen stars surrounding the seal denotes Georgia’s position as one of the original thirteen colonies. On the seal three pillars supporting an arch represent the three branches of government; legislative, judicial and executive. A man with sword drawn is defending the Constitution, whose principles are wisdom, justice and moderation. The date 1776 represents the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Georgia State Flag was adopted on May 8th, 2003

Georgia has changed their flag 3 times over the years. See their first 2 flags here.

Support your cause and increase awareness by wearing a ribbon or putting a ribbon magnet on your car.

Black Ribbon
The black ribbon is to show your support for melanoma cancer patients and Sleep Disorders, Mourning, anti gangs, POW-MIAs.

Blue Ribbon
Blue ribbons are associated with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Hurricane Support, Arthritis, Child Abuse Prevention, Colon Cancer, Education, Free Speech, Reye’s Syndrome, Teens Against Smoking, Crime Victim’s Rights, School Violence, Police officers lost in the line of duty, water safety (drowning and accidents).

Pink Ribbon
A pink ribbon is to show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness, Birth Parents, cleft palate.

Purple Ribbon
Purple ribbons are worn to show support for Alzheimer’s disease, Fibromyalgia, ADHD, Lupus and cystic fibrosis, Domestic Violence, Pancreatic Cancer, colitis, animal abuse, religious tolerance, the victims of 9/11 (includes police and firefighters), the homeless, end horse slaughter campaign.

Red Ribbon
Red ribbons are associated with AIDS and HIV, heart disease and substance abuse, DARE, DUI, Lymphoma, MADD, hypertension, Pro-Life.

White Ribbon
White ribbons support diabetes and retinoblastoma. Bone Cancer, General Hope and Support, Peace, Anti Child Exploitation, victims of terrorism, Right to life, adoption, postpartum depression, men working to end men’s violence against women, anti-child pornography on the internet, carbon monoxide poisoning.

Yellow Ribbon
Yellow ribbons represent bladder and testicular cancer, liver disease, hydrocephalus, suicide prevention, Down’s syndrome and hope. Amber Alert and Missing Children, POW/MIA, Spina Bifida, Military Support, boycott Aruba (hope for Natalee)

With so many now to choose from, do ribbons make people more disease aware or just more confused?

Walk down any high street and you will see them pinned to assorted lapels in pink, red, yellow, and blue.

These ribbons can be confusing. Not only are there too many colors to remember what causes they are promoting but, in some cases, one color is used by several charities.

If you meet someone wearing a purple ribbon you may assume it is in sympathy for people with pancreatic cancer. But these ribbons are also worn by breastfeeding campaigners, those against domestic violence, or to raise awareness of the toll of urban violence. Green is worn to publicize organ and tissue donation, but also childhood depression, ovarian cancer, and leukaemia. They are also worn by environmental activists.

The history of the symbolic use of ribbons dates back a long time: In Europe, people in mourning have often worn black ribbons around their arms. This trend for sporting your political, social, and possibly sexual leanings began with the launch of the red AIDS ribbon in 1991, when actor Jeremy Irons wore one to host the Tony awards. The ribbon was chosen by Visual AIDS, a group of professionals in the arts, who were inspired by the yellow ribbon worn to honor soldiers. Red was chosen for its connection to blood and passion.

It has become one of the world’s most widely understood symbols.

The pink ribbon has rapidly become a global symbol of breast cancer awareness. When Estee Lauder launched the pink ribbon in 1993 she made wearing it a fashion statement. Today there is no end of corporate sponsors willing to manufacture pink ribbon-linked merchandise.

What is the most popular color on flags?
Red is the most popular color being found on approximately 75 per cent of all national flags of the world. White is present on about 70 per cent of the flags and blue is common on approximately 50 per cent of the flags.

Why are flags hoisted on the left hand side?
It is common to read from left to right, but in some Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, where reading is done from right to left, the hoist is on the right side of the flag.

Where is the biggest flag in the world and how big is it?
The largest flag ever flown was a flag of the USA which measured 255 ft. by 505 ft. (78m by 154m). It was hoisted vertically on cables across Hoover Dam to celebrate the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay. According to Dr. William Crampton, the largest flag that constantly flies is the flag of Brazil, in Brasilia; the country’s capital. This flag is 230 ft. by 328 ft. (70m by 100m).

Why do some national flags have a coat of arms on some versions of the flag but not on other versions?
Many countries with flags that display a coat of arms use that version as a state flag and they remove the coat of arms to make their civil flag, to be used by the country’s citizens. Examples of this include Spain and Ecuador.

Why are the proportions of flags so different throughout the world?
There isn’t a correct or universal proportion for any flag as each one is unique. There are a few trends in flag proportions based on some influential flags. Flags based on the French flag copy its proportions of 2:3, German flags are 3:5, U.S. flags are 10:19, and Russian, Commonwealth of Nations, and communist flags use 1:2.

Why do some country’s flags look the same as others?
Some flags look the same out of pure coincidence and other flags are similar because of the nation’s geographical location or religious beliefs. Many colonial flags, such as British Commonwealth countries are also similar to each other. Eg. Many flags of Islamic nations will use the color green to signify their religious beliefs while many British Commonwealth countries may have the British Union Jack incorporated into their national flag.

When was the first flag made?
Ancient flags were made out of materials such as wood, metal and stone. The oldest preserved textile flag is a crude Roman cloth that was found in Egypt and historians figure it dates back to the third century AD.

June 14 is Flag Day! This year, it marks the 225th birthday of the US Flag! It may seem like just another day to you, but it’s a great chance to learn a little about US history, and to take the time to get to know a little about flags from other countries, too! Sorry, but most people don’t get out of school and work for Flag Day. In Pennsylvania though, it is an official state holiday.

On June 14, 1777, the United States Continental Congress officially declared the Stars and Stripes the US flag. Then, one hundred years later, public buildings started displaying the flag to recognize the 100th Birthday of the US Flag.

But what’s cool is that it was mostly one guy, a schoolteacher in Wisconsin, who started the idea that everybody should celebrate Flag Day. In 1885, B.J. Cigrand had the kids in his school observe Flag Day, or, as he called it, Flag Birthday. The idea caught on, and soon more teachers had their students celebrate Flag Day with special activities.

It wasn’t until 1916 that Flag Day was officially named as a holiday. And it wasn’t until 1949 that the National Flag Day bill was signed.

Flag Day also marks the middle of the Patriotic holidays. It starts with Memorial Day and ends with Independence Day. You can keep flags and flag motif up through most of the summer with the holidays falling one after the other.

The historical origin of flags dates back to around 1000 BC, when the Egyptians used primitive versions of flags - some were even made out of wood or metal. Flags were originally used for the purpose of identification or to signal to others. Although flags are still used for many of those reasons today, flags have also come to be used for much more.

Flags have also been important symbols on land as well as on sea. Ships started using flags at sea to signal to each other and to harbors, often to let them know they had an infectious or diseased crew aboard. Flags are still used today to let sailors know what weather conditions await at sea. The military also made use of flags to rally its troops. In military times, capturing an enemy’s flag was considered an honorable seizure.

Although the most popular use of flags today is to identify the world’s countries, the use of national flags didn’t become commonplace until the 18th century. National flags are now used to identify each country and their symbolism.

When Mount Everest and the moon were conquered, and when new found lands were discovered, explorers would raise flags as signs of their being the first to tread these unchartered lands. Flags have also been used historically, many with negative consequences. For example, ancient pirates used flags decorated with the feared skull and crossbones emblem, and the Nazis used a flag decorated with a swastika.

Today, flags are still used to signify crucial events. For example, if you are offside in a soccer game, the linesman raises his flag, or when an auto race begins a flag is traditionally waved to start the race.

In fact, the numerous uses for flags and their examination have become so popular that the practice of ‘vexillology’, which means the academic study of flags, has been developed.

The use of military flags goes back hundreds of years, but it was probably in the Middle Ages that it became popular for warriors to carry flags with them into battle. When soldiers were all dressed up in their suits of armor it was difficult to tell who was who, so the introduction of military flags in battle was basically to let you know who your friends and enemies were.

As time progressed most of the world’s armies, navies, and air forces etc. had their own individual flags designed for them. There are flags that represent each branch of the military, the navy or army etc. as a whole. Then there are flags that represent different brigades, divisions, squadrons, regiments, battalions and officers etc. within each of those branches. There are literally dozens of military flags including ones for the military police, army bands, the military chapel, the chief of engineers and the surgeon general etc.

The US has flags for the army, marine corps, navy, air force, and the coast guard; with the army, navy and marine flags being first created in 1775. These flags have been flown and used in every battle the US has fought, even during the country’s own civil war.

Another US military flag that is quite popular is the POW/MIA flag which symbolizes American prisoners of war and all those who have gone missing in action. The flag was created in 1971, by a former World War II pilot, and although it grew from the Vietnam War it has come to represent all of those missing in action, back to World War II; a group of almost 90,000 people.

The US also has a military flag which represents all of its armed forces. There is also a Service Star flag which is flown by the families of people serving in the forces during times of war.

Racing flags were first used in motor sports around 1899.They are an historic and essential part of racing to keep the fans and drivers informed of what is happening on the track at any given time. Flags tell the drivers what is going on during practice, qualifying and racing, and they also warn of driving conditions and let the drivers know what the officials want them to do.

The colors and meanings of auto racing flags originate from old shipping ports, which used flags to signal to incoming and outgoing ships. You must understand the meaning of the flags to be fully aware of what is happening on the track.

Flags have different meanings in various racing series and sometimes even from track to track. Stationary and waving flags can have different meanings as can a flag pointed at a specific driver, so it’s important the officials display the flags in their correct manner.

Red Flag:
This flag is used at the start line to stop a practice session or a race. It may also be used to close the circuit. When shown, all drivers should slow down immediately and move to the pit lane and be prepared to stop. There is no passing allowed on this flag.

Black and White Checkered Flag
This flag is used to end a practice session or the race.

Black Flag
This flag is used to let the driver know he must stop at his pit. If the driver fails to stop, the flag should not be shown for more than four consecutive laps.

Black flag with an orange circle in the middle
This flag is used to inform a driver his car has mechanical problems that could be dangerous and thus, to stop at his pit to have the problems rectified.

Black and White Diagonal Flag
This flag is used to warn a driver he has been accused of unsportsmanlike behavior and should be shown only once.

Danger Flag
This flag is used to signify danger. Drivers should slow down, not pass and be ready to change direction due to a hazard beside or on the track.

Yellow Flag with Red Stripes
This flag is used to let drivers know there is oil or water on the track ahead. It should be displayed for at least four laps.

Passing Flag
This flag is used to let a driver know he is about to be passed. It has different meanings in practice and a race. In practice it means give way to a car that is passing you. In a race it means you are about to be lapped and to give way to the car.

White Flag
This flag is used to let drivers know there is a much slower auto ahead.

Green Flag
This flag is used to indicate the track is clear and should be used after the use of a yellow flag. It can also be used to start a warm-up lap or practice session.