The flag of Australia was chosen in 1901 from entries in a nationwide design competition held following Federation. It was approved by Australian and British authorities over the next few years, although the exact specifications of the flag were changed several times both intentionally and as a result of confusion. The current specifications were published in 1934, and in 1954 the flag became legally recognised as the "Australian National Flag". The flag is a defaced Blue Ensign: a blue field with the Union Flag in the upper hoist quarter, and a large white seven-pointed star known as the Commonwealth Star that symbolises the six states and other territories of the Commonwealth of Australia; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars. In addition to the Blue Ensign there are several additional Australian flags, including the Aboriginal flag, the Torres Strait Islander flag and the flags of the Defence Forces. The design of the Australian flag is the subject of debate within Australia, with some advocating its redesign in connection with the republican movement.

Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Australia

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1503: Christopher Columbus and his crew became the first Europeans to visit the Cayman Islands. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cayman_Islands)

1857: The Sepoy Rebellion broke out in colonial India, threatening the rule of the British East India Company. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_rebellion_of_1857)

1869: The First Transcontinental Railroad of North America was completed with a golden spike ceremony. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Transcontinental_Railroad)

1924: J. Edgar Hoover became director of the U.S. Bureau of Investigation. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Edgar_Hoover)

1940: Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain of the United Kingdom resigned and formally recommended Winston Churchill as his successor. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neville_Chamberlain)

_____________________ Wikiquote of the day:

"The Truth lies not in the Yes and not in the No, but in the knowledge and the beginning from which the Yes and the No arise." -- Karl Barth (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Karl_Barth)