Flags come in various shapes and colors and represent different entities like countries, states, organizations, and religions. The study of flags is called vexillology. Most flags are made of cloth in a rectangular shape with emblems or color combinations. Common colors used are red, white, and blue which symbolize bravery, peace, and loyalty respectively. The United States flag was first adopted on June 14, 1777 and has undergone modifications over time but is still affectionately known as the "Red, White and Blue" or the "Stars and Stripes".

1. Interesting Facts about Flags
By Amita Vadlamudi

2. Introduction
• The word Flag may bring to mind the vision of the
“Red, White and Blue”, the flag of the United
States of America. Indeed flags represent not only
nations, but also myriad other entities. States or
provinces within nations have their own flags.
International organizations such as the United
Nations, humanitarian organizations such as Red
Cross, sporting and athletic organizations such as
the Olympics are represented by a flag. There are
also military flags, maritime flags, political flags
and religious flags to name a few.

3. Terminology
• The word "flag" comes from the old Saxon
word "fflaken" which means to fly or to float
in the air. The study of flags is known as
vexillology, from the Latin word vexillum,
meaning flag or banner.

4. Shapes and Colors of Flags
• Flags are generally made of cloth of
rectangular shape attached to a pole, staff or a
halyard. Most contain emblems or just
combinations of various colors. Most popular
colors of flags are red, white and blue. Color
red in flags represents bravery and strength.
White represents peace. Blue represents
truth, justice and loyalty.

5. Some Statistics
• The largest flag ever flown was the one by the
United States when it celebrated the 1996
Olympic Torch Relay. It measured 255 ft. by
505 ft. (128, 775 sq,ft.) and it was hoisted
across the Hoover Dam. Qatar, a Gulf country
in the Middle East made the world’s largest
flag in 2003 measuring 1,097,680 sq ft.

6. United States Flag
• The first United States flag was first adopted on June
14, 1777. This flag was first flown at Fort Stanwix, in
Rome, New York, on August 3, 1777. The Flag was first
carried in battle at the Brandywine, September 11,
1777. June 14 is still observed as the Flag Day in
America even though the final modification
representing all its 50 states was made on August 21,
1959. The US flag is affectionately referred to as the
“Red, White and Blue” or the “Stars and Stripes” owing
to its colors and the design. The name “Old Glory” was
given to it on August 10, 1831, by Captain William
Driver of the brig Charles Doggett.

7. About the Author
• Amita Vadlamudi is a computer professional
having supported Mainframe and Unix
Operating Systems for over three decades.
Amita Vadlamudi is also an avid reader of and
researcher on a wide variety of subjects.