The Chicago Flag

Until I moved to Chicago, I honestly had no idea that cities had their own flags. But, if you’ve spent any time in this city, you probably have figured out that Chicago not only has a flag, but it’s displayed with pride just about everywhere (and not just on flag poles). Whether you’re wondering what the design means or just need some fun facts to share with visiting family, here’s what you need to know:

• The flag was designed in 1917, originally with just two stars.
• The white and blue parts of the flag are representative of the city’s geography. The white bands represent the north, west, and south sides of the city, while the two blue bands represent our most significant bodies of water (Lake Michigan, Chicago River, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal). 

Each star represents a significant event in the history of the city:

• Fort Dearborn 
• The Great Chicago Fire of 1871
• The World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893
• The Century of Progress Exposition of 1933-34

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