Flag of Birmingham
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The Flag of Birmingham was created on the occassion of Birmingham's semicentennial in 1921. It was officially adopted as the city's flag after some minor additions on August 18, 1925.
The flag was conceived and designed by Idyl King Sorsby, with the assistance of the Birmingham Jaycees, who created the prototypical flag, constructed in silk, and presented it to the city. The city, along with the Jaycees, presented a copy of the flag to the City of Birmingham, England, and received theirs in return in 1926.
Design
The interpetation of the flags design is explained by Bertha Bendell Norton in her book Birmingham's First Magic Century: Were You There?:
- The white symbolizes the purity of Birmingham's women.
- The red typifies the valor of Birmingham's men.
- The gold hints at the mineral wealth of the Birmingham District, and also represents the "high standard of purpose and character" of our citizens.
- The large red star represents the marvel of the young city
- The Seal of Birmingham, inscribed with the date of founding, 1871, occupies a gold-colored "hub" in the center of the star.
- The hub signifies that Birmingham is considered the industrial, financial and literary hub of the South.
- The star is circumscribed by a circle of 67 small golden stars, representing Alabama's 67 counties enjoying Birmingham's glory.
- A radiance of alternating long and short rays outside the circle of stars depict Birmingham's fame and prosperity, and suggest that "all roads lead to Birmingham".
References
- * Norton, Bertha Bendall. (1970) Birmingham's First Magic Century: Were You There?. Birmingham: Lakeshore Press. p. xi