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MUNICIPAL FLAG OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO |
The Chicago flag is
flown and proudly displayed daily with civic pride as a visual
reminder of the historical events and philosophies that shaped
and forged the foundation of this magnificent city. Each
individual design component on the flag represents an event,
quality, or characteristic of the city. The municipal flag of
Chicago is never to be displayed in a superior position to
the United States flag. The original two-star flag was designed by
Wallace Rice and adopted in 1917.
The three
white stripes represent each geographic region of Chicago:
- The top
represents the North side.
- The center
symbolizes the West side.
- The bottom
represents the South side.
The two
blue stripes represent Chicago's bodies of water:
- The top
represents Lake Michigan and the North Branch of the
Chicago River.
- The bottom for
the South Branch of the Chicago River and the Great Canal.
The four
red stars represent major events in Chicago history:
- The first star
represents Fort Dearborn. Added in 1939.
- The second
represents the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
- The third, the
World's Columbian Exposition of 1893.
- The fourth,
the Century of Progress of 1933. Added in 1933.
Each star
has six-points. Each point represents a characteristic of
Chicago:
| The First Star |
The Second Star |
- Transportation.
- Labor.
- Commerce.
- Finance.
- Populousness.
- Salubrity (Wholesomeness).
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- Religion.
- Education.
- Esthetics.
- Justice.
- Beneficence.
- Civic
Pride.
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| The Third Star |
The Fourth Star |
- France
1693.
- Great
Britain 1763.
- Virginia
1778.
- Northwest
Territory 1798.
- Indian
Territory 1802.
- Illinois
Statehood 1818.
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- The
World's Third Largest City.
- The
City's Latin Motto, Urbs in Horto (City in a Garden).
- The I
Will Motto.
- The
Great Central Market.
- Wonder
City.
- Convention
City.
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Based on information from the Chicago Public Library's Information Center
