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The city flag was officially adopted by the City Council in 1917. Its designer, poet Wallace
Rice, who four years later wrote the semi-centennial festival play, explained its symbolism: "Every flag in the world requires explanation, and the
Chicago flag is no exception. It is white, because its population is a composite of all the
nations, dwelling here in peace. The white is divided into three parts, the uppermost
signifying the North Side, the larger middle bar the great West Side, with an area and
population greatly exceeding that of the other two sides, and the lowermost the South Side.
The two stripes of blue signify primarily Lake Michigan, and the North Branch of the
Chicago River above, bounding the North Side, and the South Branch of the River and the
great Canal below. On the broad middle white bar are two six-pointed stars--(five pointed
stars in the language of flags standing for sovereign states). That nearest the staff
symbolizes the Chicago fire of 1871, the other the World's Columbian Exposition of 1892-93,
the two great formative events in local history."
Two more stars were subsequently added in commemoration of Fort Dearborn and the
Century of Progress--hence also the four stars on the centennial medals.
The Herald and Examiner exhorted readers to "Hang This in Your Window--Show Your
Colors," informing them, "Chicago's flag, officially adopted by the City Council in 1917,
will be the central figure of the celebration of the Semi-Centennial of the Chicago Fire."
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Enduring Symbol 