Washington Prepares for a Celebration on Cinco de Mayo para el Seis de Mayo

It was on a Cinco de Mayo that George Washington planed for a celebration in honor of France since they had decided to assist the United States in her effort for independence.  In an exceedingly grateful mood Washington wrote on the Cinco de Mayo in 1778:

 "...upon a signal given, the whole Army will Huzza! "Long Live the King of France." The Artillery then begins again and fires thirteen rounds, this will be succeeded by a second general discharge of the Musquetry in a tuning fire. Huzza! "And long live the friendly European Powers." Then the last discharge of thirteen Pieces of Artillery will be given, followed by a General tuning fire and Huzza! "To the American States."

Without the aide of France to the rebelling 13 colonies, the prospects for independence were gloom.  The rebel alliance with France was the ray of hope that paved the way for American Freedom.  Up until the Spring of 1778 for three long years the US was proving to itself and to the world that it was serious about becoming an independent entity from the United Kingdom.

The rebel alliance with France was signed February 6, 1778 but this was way before the internet.  Thus it took several months for official news to hit Washington.  And the good news of 'divine intercession' was revealed to Washington on the Cinco de Mayo.

The irony is that today Cinco de Mayo has become a US drinking festival observing Mexico's battle victory over France in 1862 in Puebla.  But Cinco de Mayo is also the date when the US managed to launch the first American in to space - Alan Shepard on Cinco de Mayo 1961.   However, as of today the most important event in the American Media for Cinco de Mayo is to mention and celebrate a foreign nation's battle victory over France, mostly as another excuse to drink lime flavored fungal excrement. Yet on the Cinco de Mayo of 1778, General Washington was elated and excited to hear that France and several other European powers were going to assist the rebel provinces of America.

Oddly Cinco de Mayo has become an American celebration of France's humiliation at the hands of Mexico, yet it was on this date that Washington's prayers were answered thanks to France. 



See the original Documents Here at the US Library of Congress

The Beret Streamer - The Stay Puft Marshmallow Hat, Ghostbusters 1984

An unusual type of vexilloid can be found in the Ghostbusters 1984 movie - the beret streamer.  This beret streamer may be the most famous of beret streamers known to the world. 

We are introduced subliminally to Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man when the eggs get possessed by demonic spirits and cook themselves.

On the side of one of the buildings by the Ghostbusters firehouse is mural-ad of the Stay-Puft Marshmallows. 

Here Gozer the Gozarian takes the form of the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man.  Dangling from his right side is a vexilloid - a red streamer.








Side view of the swallow tail red hat streamer. This is the clearest view this vexillologically appropriate piece of cloth, that functions as fashionable device.

Antarctica Territorial Divide Flag

This is a flag for the territorial division of Antarctica.  The dividing lines are according to the various continents.  The Orange Sector is reserved for the nations in the American Hemisphere from Canada to Chile, the Lime Green Sector is reserved for the nations of Europe, Africa and Western Asia.  Finally the Magenta Sector is reserved for the nations of Asia and Oceania.  The central white portion is the polar reserve that is unassigned to be used cooperatively for Antarctica. Note the islands of Antarctica are not included in this division.


These divides follow the natural divisions of Antarctica which are basically aligned to the particular time zones of a particular nation.

Lake Tahoe Flag

The flag for Lake Tahoe combines elements of the California and Nevada state flags.  Both have stars in near the upper hoist.  Since most of Lake Tahoe under California's state border the red star is dominant to the silver star of Nevada.  Additionally Nevada's silver star is recessive and upside down when compared to California's star.  The upper portion is blue that is taken from the Nevada's flag.  The lower portion is white which is taken from California's flag.  The middle red stripe is a modified version of bottom stripe of California's flag but place in middle rather than along the bottom.

The Original Star Wars Vexilloid from 1977 - The Guardian Pole Stick

In the award ceremony for Han, Luke and Chewbacca a vexilloid appears in the hands of the guardsman at the entrance of the hall.  The vexilloid is a long stick with a metal top.  It fills the proper space of a flag or staff in a regal fashion. Its long size indicates it probably has a ceremonial function rather than use as a weapon.  More than likely, it lights up in the dark and may have the ability to produce holographic flags and insignia.  Nonetheless its imposing larger than life size marks it as a vexilloid. 

Rebel Alliance Insignia - Star Wars 1977

No flags appear in clear cut fashion in the first official episode of Star Wars 1977.  However the icon of the Rebel Alliance appears during the space craft prep before the attack on the Empire's Death Star.





Another fighter pilot putting on the helmet with the Rebel Alliance Emblem.  It looks like a crescent with cross in the center.

Flag of Treasure Isliglit Island - The Largest Island in an Island in the World

Canada has a lot of little inner islands found on lakes. But due to the extreme size of the Great Lakes, Canada also has the largest island within an island in the world.  This "island squared" is better known as Treasure Island which is found on Lake Mindemoya which is found on Manitoulin Island which is found on Lake Huron.

The flag of Treasure Island has a navy blue pile facing towards the hoist that represents Lake Huron.  Along the fly is a white circle that represents Manitoulin Island, the inner blue circle represents Lake Mindemoya, and finally the red inner circle represents Treasure Island.  The two red Canadian Maple leafs brings power to the flag - making a Canadian statement.