What Two Years Appear On The Illinois Flag

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So You Think You Know Illinois: A Deep Dive into Flag Dates (and Possibly Eagles)

Ah, Illinois. The Land of Lincoln, Chicago deep dish, and...uh...intriguing flag trivia? That's right, folks! Today we're taking a magnifying glass (or maybe just your phone) to the Illinois state flag and uncovering a secret lurking within its design: dates! But not just any dates, mind you. These are dates so significant, so steeped in Illinoisian history, they deserve their own fan club.

What Two Years Appear On The Illinois Flag
What Two Years Appear On The Illinois Flag

But First, A Feathered Friend (with a Beakful of Wisdom)

The star of the Illinois flag show is undoubtedly the American bald eagle. Majestic, powerful, clutching a...scroll? That scroll, my friends, holds the key to our date mystery. It contains the state motto, "State Sovereignty, National Union" (a fancy way of saying Illinois likes to do its own thing, but still be part of the team).

Fun Fact: The motto is written on the scroll, but "State" is actually at the bottom, and "Sovereignty" is upside down. Maybe the eagle was a little peckish while writing?

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Now, Onto the Dates!

Now that we've met the scroll-clutching eagle, let's shift our focus to the rock it's perched on. Eagle real estate, people! Take a closer look, and you'll see two engraved dates: 1818 and 1868.

But what do they mean?

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  • 1818: This, my history buffs, is the year Illinois officially became a state. Party time! (Although, knowing Illinois, the party probably involved a lot of corn and Abraham Lincoln giving a long speech.)

  • 1868: This date marks a redesign of the Illinois state seal, which is prominently featured on the flag. So, the eagle got a new scroll, but the rock apparently needed a makeover too.

    What Two Years Appear On The Illinois Flag Image 2

So there you have it! The two dates on the Illinois flag represent a state's birth and a touch-up to its official emblem. Not the most thrilling story, but hey, at least you can impress your friends at your next trivia night!

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ: Illinois Flag Dates Edition

How to memorize the dates on the Illinois flag?

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  • Easy! Think of 1818 as the year Illinois became "eighteen" and ready to join the party.

How to impress your friends with Illinois flag knowledge?

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  • Casually drop the "upside down motto" fact at your next gathering. Bonus points for dramatic hand gestures.

How to avoid arguments about Illinois flag trivia?

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  • Double-check your sources before getting into a heated debate. There's nothing worse than being wrong about eagle scroll dates.

How to use this newfound knowledge for good?

  • Win bar bets, dominate trivia nights, or simply feel smugly superior at knowing random Illinois flag facts.

How to celebrate Illinois' rich history?

  • Visit the state capitol, learn about Abraham Lincoln, or dig into a deep dish pizza (because, Illinois).
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Quick References
TitleDescription
chicagotribune.comhttps://www.chicagotribune.com
politico.comhttps://www.politico.com/illinois
illinois.govhttps://dph.illinois.gov
dailyherald.comhttps://www.dailyherald.com
census.govhttps://www.census.gov/quickfacts/IL

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