Chicago, Illinois

Chicago's flag has a white field with two blue horizontal stripes, each about one-sixth of the width of the hoist, and set slightly less than one-sixth of the way from the top and bottom. Between the two blue stripes are four bright red six-pointed stars, spaced evenly across the center horizontally. Currently the points of the flag's stars are shortened and not as exaggerated as earlier versions. The shade of the blue color is not specified, but in practice tends to be a medium blue. The white stripes represent the North, West and South sides of the city. The two blue stripes symbolize Lake Michigan plus the North Branch of the Chicago River, and South Branch of the Chicago River plus the Great Canal. The symbolism of the stars is complex. Here is how it is described: The First Red Star represents Fort Dearborn (added in 1939). The Points of the First Red Stars signify: transportation labor commerce finance populousness salubrity The Second Red Star represents the Chicago Fire of October 8-10, 1871. The Points of the Second Red Star signify: religion education esthetics justice beneficence civic pride The Third Red Star represents the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. The Points of the Third Red Star signify history of the area: France 1693 Great Britain 1763 Virginia 1778 Northwest Territory 1798 Indian Territory 1802 Illinois Statehood 1818 The Fourth Red Star represents the century of progress, and was added for the Exposition of 1933 (added in 1933). The Points of the Fourth Red Star signify: Country's Third Largest City City's Latin Motto I Will Motto Great Central Market Wonder City Convention City