Smithsonian Flags Redesigned for Smithson Bicentennial

Summary

• In preparation for the celebration of the bicentennial of the birth of James Smithson, a new Smithsonian flag is designed. Banners are designed for all Smithsonian bureaus. The Smithsonian flag had a blue field with a gold sun with sixteen alternating straight and wavy rays at the center; within the sun, a globe of the world shows the entire continent of North America with parts of Europe, Africa and South America, outlined in white on a field of blue. In the upper left corner there was a white canton with a rearing red demi-lion with gold eyes, two white fangs, and blue mouth and tongue. The lion holds between outstretched arms and paws a gold sun burst outlined with blue edges. This device was taken from the Smithson family coat of arms. The four outer edges were framed by a wavy gold band. Within the sun, a globe of the world shows the entire continent of North America with parts of Europe, Africa and South America, outlined in white on a field of blue.
• The thirteen individual banners were all similar except for the design of the canton on the upper left corner. All have a blue field with gold fringe on the upper, lower, and right sides. In the center was a gold sun burst with 16 alternating straight and wavy rays.

Subject

Bicentennial Celebration Commemorating the Birth of James Smithson 1965

Category

Chronology of Smithsonian History

Notes

• The first Smithsonian flag was designed in 1955. Image is of the Smithsonian Institution Flag, 1965, from Smithsonian Institution Archives, RU 95, Photographs, Box 66, Folder 1.
• Smithsonian Institution Archives, Research File, Folder: Flags, Smithsonian, James M. Goode to Paul N. Perrot, 11 February 1982.

Contact information

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

Date

1965

Topic

• Insignia
• Smithsonian Flag
• Logos (Symbols)
• Flags
• Logo

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