It was 200 years ago today that the
USS Enterprise engaged the
HMS Boxer off the New England coast of Maine. Although a US victory, both captains,
Burrows and Blyth, lost their lives
in the battle and were buried at sea simultaneously with honors.
So it is the bicentennial of the 'War of 1812' or rather America's late engagement unto the
Napoleonic Wars? There is some debate was weather to call the American Revolution a civil war or not? However during the War of 1812 the government of "
Washington DC-complete and unbroken" as a separate entity was firmly established, in stark contrast to the government of London. Canada was still in 'utero' so to speak, but Canadians cherish this war as an us Canucks versus those Southern Yankees. Also note Canada was still under London's command as was Australia and New Zealand.
Australia was 'born' as a British Colony the same year the US was born again in a second reboot under
America 2.0 via the program of the US Constitution in 1788.
America 1.0 didn't work out all that well under the program of the
Articles of Confederation and all official eight presidents of that forlorn government have been lost to the back bins of history - except for perhaps John Hancock?
The odd point is one from a certain angle, one can frame
The War of 1812 as the United States of America vs. Australia and New Zealand! Rumor has it that there were some wicked words exchanged down under at an Aussie Bar, with a few American shippers and whalers.
However a few naval battles did indeed take place 'Down Under' in the Southern Hemisphere. The
USS Essex fought with the
HMS Phoebe and
HMS Cherub in the South Pacific. The
USS Constitution exchanged fire with the
HMS Java in the South Atlantic. Nearer to Australia was the naval battle at the
Strait of Sunda on June 30, 1815 - in the Indian Ocean. It was here that the proverbial last battle between 'UK-Australian' and the US Navies took place, coincidentally down under. And nearly half a year after peace was declared and signed!
More about that battle, of the
USS Peacock vs.
HMS Nautilus on June 30, 2015. Thus this is the would be last battle flag down of the official 15 striped 'Star Spangled Banner' with regard to the UK.
It was during the War of 1812 that US Navy proved herself to the world, by meeting on par with the most powerful Royal Navy from the West, likewise during the 'War of 1941' the US Navy became a world power after subduing the most powerful Royal Navy to arise in the East. Coincidentally the US fought both imperial navies in the Indian Ocean at the
Strait of Sunda. Today however, both Japan and the UK are warm allies to the United States.
At the moment in the mainstream consciousness "USS Enterprise" is associated with Star Trek! Little fact known is that the creator for Star Trek was a Pacific WWII pilot. In a second pole position "Enterprise" is known as a
car rental company. Finally the bronze goes to historical aficionados who recognize its vale as a name to the heritage of the US Navy. And believe it or not the first
Enterprise to defy gravity and patrol in the atmosphere during wartime occurred during the US Civil War.
Long story short, from a certain point of view, one can fathom that two hundred years ago, the United States was at war with: Australia, New Zealand, Bahamas, India, South Africa, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Guyana, Barbados, Wales, and not to mention England. And finally, Canada and some other countries as well.
Of vexillological interest are the three flags on the mastheads. Near the back end of the ship or 'Rudder Mast' is a red pennant with white circular design near the hoist. On the 'Central Mast' is horizontal tribar, starting from the hoist: red, blue, and green. And finally on the 'Forward Mast' is a longer blue swallow tail pennant. 
When the international dateline shifts east, it means that the day is starting earlier thus is has a blue shift like a blue shifted galaxy. But when the international dateline shifts west, it means means that the day is ending later thus it has red shift like a red shift galaxy.
Countries that can fly this flag on their prime meridian include: Ghana, Togo, Burkina-Faso, Algeria, Mali, Algeria, Spain, France, and England - as well as Antarctica. 
The Equator Flag can be flown officially at the Equator. Thus the nations of Ecuador, Peru, Columbia, Brazil, Gabon, Little and Large Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Indonesia have the right to fly this flag on land at their appropriate places. Likewise this flag can be flown under 1 degree North or South.
This flag is to be flown at 45 Degrees North, in between the North Pole and Equator. Its name takes elements of its more famous longitudinal cousins the Arctic Circle and Tropic of Cancer. The constellation Lynx was chosen because it lies at a mostly temperate parallel to the latitudes of Earth. 
The Temperate Circle of Lupus passes through only three countries: Argentina, Chile, and New Zealand.
Although not the first Garbage Pail Kid to feature a flag, it is the most original flag created for the Garbage Pail Kid Series - Menaced Dennis #173a of the fifth series. In it, during a scary dream, a bunch of green caterpillars can be seen crawling into Dennis' nose and head. The original flag features a red square background with a brown 'wooden x' fimbrated in white. 
Treading in the shadows of the lovable Cabbage Patch Dolls are the Garbage Pail Kids. During the 1980s these macabre collector's cards ran across the imagination of young children. Many of the themes were horrors and beyond grosser than gross. 
The US flag appeared earlier in the 5th series card in the background of Ruptured Rupert #199a or Gassy Gus #199b. This card features a Macy's Day Parade Garbage Pail Kid Balloon that has burst open in the back of the head and is loosing helium. In the background is a US flag with reversed red and white stripes.
Additionally during the series the US flag appears in the background of Mark Spark #238a or Cherry Bomb #238b. This card features the dangers of playing with fireworks. The theme of the card is set to celebratory atmosphere of the 4th of July. 
The flags of British Columbia, UK, and Canada make a small cameo in Pretty in Pink 1986. While the teacher is talking about FDR we can see flags on the desk. Molly is keenly paying attention but the snobby girls are cutting up Molly for sewing her own clothese that are not high priced 'zombie' ware.
Flags are not only nationalistic emblems of pride. In the comedic hit The 40-Year-Old Virgin 2005, celebratory wedding flags can be seen in the background. Flags of this nature follow a natural flow of beauty and often have a romantic flare. Here soft floral colors can be seen in the background.
However a few naval battles did indeed take place 'Down Under' in the Southern Hemisphere. The USS Essex fought with the HMS Phoebe and HMS Cherub in the South Pacific. The USS Constitution exchanged fire with the HMS Java in the South Atlantic. Nearer to Australia was the naval battle at the Strait of Sunda on June 30, 1815 - in the Indian Ocean. It was here that the proverbial last battle between 'UK-Australian' and the US Navies took place, coincidentally down under. And nearly half a year after peace was declared and signed! 
