Chicago, Illinois (U.S.)

Last modified: 2004-12-22 by rick wyatt
Keywords: chicago | illinois | star | world’s fair |
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by Rick Wyatt, 10 June 1999

• Description and meaning of the flag
• Chicago 2000
• World's Fair 1933

See also:

• Chicago's Symbols
• Cook County
• Illinois
• United States of America

The flag of Chicago has broader blue stripes and four six-pointed stars all in red. Originally the flag had two stars when it was adopted in 1917. 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:

1. transportation
2. labor
3. commerce
4. finance
5. populousness
6. salubrity

The Second Red Star represents the Chicago Fire of October 8-10, 1871.

The Points of the Second Red Star signify:

1. religion
2. education
3. esthetics
4. justice
5. beneficience
6. 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:

1. France 1693
2. Great Bri