The District's flag is a 12th-century family heirloom
In short: The flag of Washington, D.C. isn't just a local symbol; it is a piece of medieval heraldry. Based on the coat of arms of George Washington's ancestors, the design dates back to the 12th century in England, long before the American Revolution or the founding of the District.
The District of Columbia flag, approved on October 25, 1938, features three red stars—technically called mullets in heraldry—above two red bars on a white background. This design is derived from the coat of arms of the Washington family, which first appeared in the 12th century when an ancestor took possession of Washington Old Hall in County Durham, northeast England. The family's heraldic identity evolved significantly over 150 years through various land acquisitions and alliances before the current design was recorded by the end of the 14th century.
The connection to the American presidency is direct. George Washington used this coat of arms extensively at his Mount Vernon plantation, even featuring it on the livery of his enslaved servants. Between 1791 and 1796, Washington corresponded with the Garter Principal King of Arms in London to trace his lineage and confirm these ancestral links. While the flag was officially adopted in 1938, the District lacked an official banner for over a century after its creation in 1790, often flying unofficial banners or the D.C. National Guard flag.
The selection process for the current flag was notable for its lack of local input. To select a design alongside the Commission of Fine Arts, a 1938 Congressional Act established a three-person federal body comprising the Navy secretary, the war secretary, and the Board of Commissioners' president. Initial perceptions of the flag as a token of missing representation arose because residents of Washington were omitted from the decision-making procedure. However, it has since become a point of pride, even ranking as the best city flag in North America in a 2004 survey by the North American Vexillological Association.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: DC Symbols | os
- Also: Flag of Washington, D.C.
- Also: Commemorative D.C. Flag Program • Council of the District of Columbia
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