It can be up to a metre long and weigh between 2 and 15kg, though some specimens may reach 40kg or more. Australia declares war on Italy the following day. 1819 – The flag is updated at the end of the year when Illinois is added into the Union. 1939 – 3 September 1820 – Two more stars are added with the inclusion of Alabama and Maine. This is the end of World War II in Europe. Minor changes are made to the points of the stars on the Southern Cross. This is the start of World War II. His flag will be flown every year at the ANZAC Day ceremony, ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli (Turkey), on 25 April. There are now thirty seven stars on the American Flag. http://www.usa-flag-site.org/history.shtml, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States#History, http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagfact.html. Germany surrenders in Berlin on the 8th May, and then at the British Channel Islands on 9th May 1945. Australia becomes a federation. Letter from Howard Beale MP to flag makers to request they re-direct their manufacture to the Australian National Flag (Blue Ensign) rather than the Red Ensign (except for its proper use in shipping). 1918 – 8 August It is officially adopted in 1931 as the national anthem. This flag goes through three major iterations before the South falls to General Grant in 1865, including the “Stars and Bars,” which played off of Ross’s original design, “The Stainless Banner,” which featured the Confederate battle symbol (the blue starred “X” pattern on the red background) in the upper left corner of a white field, and “The Blood Stained Banner,” which added a red bar onto the right side of the second iteration. 15th Aug 1945 One nation, of many backgrounds, but ultimately united together by shared values and ideals and a respect for each other and the diversity that is the very essence of who we are.” Three more stars are added for Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma (that was included as a state in 1908). The History of the American Flag:  A Timeline These flags were subsequently presented to Sydney Hospital. Germany becomes the last Central Power to surrender, signing the Armistace at Compiegne, France, thus ending World War I. Mar 1934 Christmas Day – Frank Wild, a member of the Sir Douglas Mawson Australasian Antarctic Expedition 1911-14, hoists the Australian flag and formally takes possession of Queen Mary Land (now part of Australian Antarctic Territory) in the name of King George V and the Australian Commonwealth. Australia’s new flag of “Stars and Crosses” is raised for the first time at approximately 2.30 pm. The Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), is the animal emblem of New South Wales. There was also a popular though unofficial “Bonnie Blue Flag” that featured a deep blue field with one large white star on it. 1981 – 24 March Brush up on the fascinating story of our beloved Star-Spangled Banner and how she became the shining beacon of hope that she is today with in the following guide to the different American flags through history! 1914 – 4 August The Boers of the South African Republic (Transvaal) and Orange Free State declare war on the British Empire at Natal and Cape Colony in southern Africa. An escalating crisis in Europe, triggered by the assassination in Sarajevo of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serbian-backed Yugoslavists, culminates in Germany, allied to Austria-Hungary, declaring war on Russia, France and Belgium. 1914 – 6 August The Australian Army gives Military Order, No 58/08 to direct all military establishments (Stations) to fly the “new” Australian flag (Blue Ensign). 1901 – 16 September First Vice Regal (and formal) raising of the Australian Flag by Governor-General, Lord Hopetoun at Townsville, Queensland. The 21 stars are now arranged with one row of four with one row of five on top and two rows of five below. 1897 – State Flag Desecration Statutes begin to be adopted in states around the country to outlaw altering or abusing the flag for commercial and political purposes. – His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Ret’d) The Act is officially signed-off by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the following months. The 23 stars are now arranged with one row of five with one row of six on top and two rows of six below. The flag is confirmed by legislation as the chief national symbol by law, custom and tradition and its official title becomes the “Australian National Flag”. Introduction of the Australian White Ensign as the distinguishing flag for the Royal Australian Navy. It is flanked on one side by the Australian flag which flew at Villiers-Bretonneux in 1917 and on the other by the Australian flag flown by the HMAS Sydney when it destroyed the Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni in the Mediterranean in 1940. 1822-1867 – Fourteen more stars are added to the flag with the inclusion of Missouri, Arkansas, Michigan, Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin, California, Minnesota, Oregon, Kansas, West Virginia, Nevada and Nebraska. Letter from Howard Beale MP to flag makers to request they re-direct their manufacture to the Australian National Flag (Blue Ensign) rather than the Red Ensign (except for its proper use in shipping). The Ottoman Empire attacks Russia and enters World War I, joining the Central Powers. Parliament passes 1953 Flags Act. 1953 – 2 December The British Empire, and hence Australia, enters World War I as a member of the Allied Powers, opposing the Central Powers. After almost 40 years of discussion, debates and a referendum, it is official Australia will become a federation. The Australian flag is used for the first time in an act of war when it’s flown over Queenscliff Army Fort, Victoria The fort opened fire to prevent the German steamer, Pfalz, from leaving port. 1902 – February 1987 – 3 October Another Australian flag raised at the liberation of Singapore is now framed and held at the headquarters of the Returned and Services League, Canberra with a plaque which reads “This important artefact was concealed in Changi Prison by Captain Strawbridge MBE, from 1942-1945. Flag Amendments Bill amends the Flags Act 1953 to ensure that the Australian National Flag can only be changed if the Australian electorate approves. 1901 – 29 April The Australian flag covers the grave of “Breaker” Morant, Pretoria, South African Republic (Transvaal). 1778-1794 – Alternative versions of the American flag continue to be produced and used by various prominent military outfits and sailing vessels in spite of the official adoption of the Ross design. 1917 – 20 September 1912 – The specific measurements, orientation, and details of the flag are officially established in a presidential executive order. 1941 – 7 December All versions utilize the red, white, and blue theme. This started the Second Boer War, which involved Australia. Flags Amendment Act 1981 describes Australian National Flag as a blue flag consisting of the Southern Cross, Commonwealth Star and Union Jack – our unique flag of “Stars and Crosses”. 1901 – 3 September (now Australian National Flag Day) 2000 – 11 April 1940 – 19 July The flying of illuminated national flags at night time is now an international practice. The Red Ensign becomes the flag of Merchant Naval Shipping. This is the start of World War II. Prime Minister Ben Chifley issues a statement encouraging more general and widespread use of the national flag. The Royal Australian Navy White Ensign (1967), The Royal Australian Air Force Ensign (1981). The Flag and Emblems of New South Wales booklet (PDF, 3.25 MB) not only details the history of the NSW flag and coat of arms but outlines the general procedures to be followed in flying the NSW state flag. The formation of the Royal Australian Navy is marked by the adoption of the Australian flag as the ensign to be “worn” (flown) from the jackstaff at the bow of all RAN commissioned ships and also at the mainmast as the “battle flag” when a ship is in combat. The last of the thirteen colonies to officially join The United States was Rhode Island in 1790. 1900 – 9 July Germany surrenders in Berlin on the 8th May, and then at the British Channel Islands on 9th May 1945. The Australian flag is raised at the London Olympic Games in celebration of the first medal win for Australia which was for Rugby football. 1928 1949 – Flag Day, to be observed on June 14th, is established. The Red Ensign of the new flag becomes the flag of Merchant Naval Shipping. Australia becomes a federation. This attractive badge is emblazoned on the field of the State’s Blue Ensign. 1996 – 28 August 1918 – 11 November The competition receives 32,823 entries with the winning design being won by five almost identical entries. 1934 – 23 March The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (UK) is passed on 5th July 1900 and given Royal Assent by Queen Victoria on the 9th July, 1900. For more information on the American Flag, check out the following resources: Also outlawed was the creation of flags that could be mistaken as the official American Flag. The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (UK) is passed on 5th July 1900 and given Royal Assent by Queen Victoria on the 9th July, 1900. Japan surrenders in Tokyo, ending World War II. 1775 – As revolutionary fever starts to swelter, several iterations of a flag representing the independence and discontent of the colonists begin to surface. 1886 – The centennial flag is created, replacing the traditional star field with stars shaped into the number “1776” above the number “1876.”. Some of these precious flags are now lodged in the Australian War Memorial. It will be used for future important national events. 1947 – June Each of the 5 winners shared the £200 (almost $30,000 today) prize money. The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Sir William Deane, proclaims 3 September as “Australian National Flag Day” to commemorate the day in 1901 on which the Australian National Flag was first flown. Did you know? Commonwealth Government Gazette No 18 features a line drawing of the exact specifications of the official blue Australian flag and the merchant shipping flag, the Australian Red Ensign.