Flag of Cleveland facts for kids
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| Proportion | 2:3 |
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| Adopted | 1896 |
| Design | A vertical triband of red (left), white (middle), and blue (right), with a seal in the center. The seal consists of a shield with the name "CLEVELAND" breaking through the shield near the top- the bottom portion of the shield is outlined in red consists of the year "1796" surrounded by a laurel wreath and the top portion of the shield is outlined in blue and consists of an anvil, hammer, and wheel. At the bottom of the shield is the motto "PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY" |
| Designed by | Susan Hepburn |
The flag of Cleveland is the official symbol of the city of Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States. It has three vertical stripes of red, white, and blue. The middle white stripe is the same size as the red and blue ones. On the white stripe, there is an American shield. The word "Cleveland" is written across the middle of the shield.
At the bottom of the shield, you can see the year "1796" in red, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The bottom part of the shield is outlined in red, and the top part is outlined in blue. On the top left of the shield, there are an anvil, a hammer, and a wheel. On the top right, there is an anchor, a windlass, and oars. Below the shield, you'll find the city's motto: "Progress and Prosperity."
How the Cleveland Flag Was Created
The Cleveland flag was designed in 1895 by a high school student named Susan Hepburn. At first, some people didn't agree with the design, which slowed down its approval. But by October 21, 1895, the Cleveland City Council officially approved it.
On February 21, 1896, the city passed a law about the flag. This was the same year Cleveland celebrated its 100th birthday. Mayor Robert E. McKisson approved the flag on February 26, 1896. The city's motto, "Progress and Prosperity," was added much later, in the 1960s.
What Do the Flag's Symbols Mean?
The colors red, white, and blue, along with the American shield, show a feeling of patriotism. Many people believed these symbols would help unite the city.
- 1796: This is the year Moses Cleaveland founded the city of Cleveland.
- Anvil, Hammer, and Wheel: These symbols represent Cleveland's history as a major center for heavy industry. This means the city was known for making things like steel and machinery.
- Anchor, Windlass, and Oars: These items represent Cleveland's connection to the water and shipping. Cleveland is an important port city on the Great Lakes, which are large freshwater lakes.
- "Progress and Prosperity": This motto refers to a time when Cleveland grew a lot and became very successful, especially during the first half of the 20th century.
See also
In Spanish: Bandera de Cleveland para niños
