Flag of Baltimore facts for kids
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| Proportion | 2:3 |
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| Adopted | February 11, 1915 |
| Design | Paly of six Or and sable, a bend counterchanged, on an inescutcheon Sable, within an orle of the first, a representation of Baltimore's Battle Monument (from the War of 1812, constructed 1815-1822), Argent. |
| Designed by | Judge Henry Stockbridge Carroll Lucas Wilbur F. Coyle Hester Dorsey Richardson |
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The flag of the city of Baltimore is a special symbol for the city. It features the "Battle Monument" right in its center. This monument is also a key part of the city's official seal. The flag uses the colors black and gold (or yellow). These colors come from the Calvert family. They are also seen on the Maryland state flag.
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What Does the Flag Look Like?
The Baltimore city flag has a unique design. It uses black and gold (or yellow) stripes. These stripes are arranged in a way that looks like a shield. The colors come from the Calvert family, who were important in Maryland's history.
In the middle of the flag, there's a special symbol. It's a picture of the Battle Monument. This monument is a very important landmark in Baltimore. It reminds everyone of a brave moment in the city's past.
The Battle Monument's Story
The Battle Monument honors soldiers and officers. They bravely defended Baltimore during the War of 1812. This war was fought between the British and the United States.
A major event was the Battle of Baltimore in September 1814. This included the Battle of North Point and the bombardment of Fort McHenry. The monument remembers those who fought and fell.
The monument was started on September 12, 1815. This date is now known as Defenders Day. It's a holiday in Baltimore and Maryland. The monument was finished in 1822. It was designed by a French architect named Maximilian Godefroy.
A few years later, in 1827, the monument was added to the city's official seal. This seal also shows the year 1797. That's when Baltimore officially became a city.
How the Flag Was Designed
The current design of the Baltimore flag was adopted on February 11, 1915. It combines the Calvert family colors with the Battle Monument. This makes the flag a strong symbol of Baltimore's history and heritage.
The flag is flown alongside the American flag and the Maryland state flag. You can see it at public buildings and many other places around the city.
How People Rate the Flag
In 2004, a group called the North American Vexillological Association did a survey. They asked people to rate city flags. Baltimore's flag scored 7.46 out of 10 points. This made it the 18th best city flag out of 150 American cities surveyed. This shows that many people think Baltimore has a well-designed and meaningful flag!
