Five Philly FLAG Facts

Who: Reverend Henry McCook, Vice President of the Academy of Natural Sciences 1882. He was a highly regarded Entomologist for his expertise on the behavior of ants and spiders. He was also a Presbyterian Minister.

What: He suggested the concept of a Philadelphia civic flag and submitted designs(drawings) for the flag with a letter to Mayor Edwin S Stuart on October 3 1894.

When: On March 27, 1895 City council made the flag official with an ordinance(Ordinance = A Law)

Where: The Philadelphia Civic Flag began flying in and around City buildings. Gradually it was used in other public arenas. Where have you seen our Philly FLAG? (Click here to let us know)

Why: The concept of the Philly FLAG was presented by McCook first and foremost as a "unifying symbol" for all citizens in this beautifully diverse ethnic city.