City Flags Are Abominations

Get an exclusive NordPass deal plus 1 additional month for FREE here: nordpass.com/ahh and use code ahh at the checkout! It’s risk free with 30 day money-back guarantee!
Flags can be symbols for anything. Nationality, ideology, anything you can imagine. Well what do you know, flags exist for cities too. In the US, they're pretty terrible. But I wanted to talk about the flags across the world to really show what works and what doesn't.
Twitter: / althistoryhub
Patreon: / alternatehistoryhub
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
01:50 Europe
05:05 Russia
06:10 Asia
08:27 United States
14:32 Worst of the Worst
16:42 Conclusion

[@AlternateHistoryHub]

Get an exclusive NordPass deal plus 1 additional month for FREE here: nordpass.com/ahh and use code ahh at the checkout! It’s risk free with 30 day money-back guarantee!

[@qin6311]

never

[@NotFckingBen]

I read “ahh” as that auggghhhh snoring thing Edit: this kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5C6iJSDlpKlntE

[@larrywave]

2:20 didn't know Pyhäjoki has a flag 🤔😂

[@RiggsBF]

What if South Africa still had nukes?

[@larrywave]

Only City/municipality flag i have seen in Finland is flag of Raisio 😂

[@florencekeagan1572]

My father was a graphic designer and actually created the "flag" for Pocatello. It was meant to simply be a design that the Chamber of Commerce could utilize for banners and such for fairs or events. The city decided to make it flag and as a graphic designer my dad was never more saddened and mad that the city went that stupid. (Edit) I love how many likes and few hate this comment recieved. Brings tears of joy to my heart. To everyone that said "im a graphic designer and its still a bad banner" okay cool, you go back to before photoshop and AI existed and make a living off of commercial art.

[@EmeraldLavigne]

I hope you were able to escape to civilization.

[@creampop8553]

I was going to say it wasn't bad at all... but then I saw the original flag. My deepest condolences.

[@joeybar.]

I hope he’s Proud To Be™©®

[@kaiserreich9991]

Your father shall be herald as a God

[@nosondaitchman9073]

Yeah right

[@livingthemcdream]

The trademark on Pocatello is one of the funniest things I have ever seen.

[@porkchopproductions0314]

It was also voted the world's ugliest flag awhile back, but luckily we have changed it to something better

[@byufan]

As someone who travelled through Pocatello with some frequency, their flag is absolutely terrible. Wow

[@mars_181]

We replaced this flag 5 years ago, it's better now en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Pocatello

[@puki860]

the Pocatello flag jumpscared me in the funny way

[@Xepent]

That's an old flag though

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

The bear splitting the nucleus of an atom is the best Russian city flag by far. Some context for that one: Zheleznogorsk, or previously known as Krasnoyarsk-26, is a closed city that was created in 1950 for the extraction of plutonium. The last reactor for plutonium production shut down in 2010, however the city is still closed because of its importance to the defense industrial complex. So the bear is fittingly, doing nuclear fission to represent the city And when it comes to China, not just Hong Kong, but neighboring Macau has a neat flag too. It's a lotus with a bridge and lines for water below it with stars above it, on a nice shade of green. The lotus flower in full bloom represents the everlasting prosperity of Macau (which they're certainly not wrong about that; gambling being banned in Mainland China definitely helps). The bridge is the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge, that links Macau Peninsula with Taipa. The bridge and water represent Macau's position as a port and its important role. And like the stars of Hong Kong's flag, the stars represent the PRC and Macau's relation with it, only this time the stars are yellow like the PRC's flag instead of red like Hong Kong's

[@GloryToComradeForster]

I actually bought the flag and I have it hanging up in my room.

[@Da...]

Best Russian city flag is probably either Moscow or Vologda

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

When it comes to flags of American cities, Chicago does it right and there's a reason the Chicago flag is iconic! Initially the flag had just two stars when it was adopted in 1917, but it changed to three in 1933 and then a fourth in 1939. Each six-pointed star (six points were chosen because no other flag had this when it was made) represents an event in Chicago's history. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, the Century of Progress Exposition of 1933, and the establishment of Fort Dearborn in 1803. And each point on these stars has a meaning. For the Great Chicago Fire for example the points represent the virtues of religion, education, aesthetics, justice, beneficence, and civic pride. The three white bars represent the North, West, and South Sides of Chicago. The top sky-blue bar represents Lake Michigan and the North Branch of the Chicago River, while the bottom bar represents the South Branch of the river and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

[@BlazingFlame69]

They should make the flag of chicago the official flag if Illinois beccause the current one is dog shit

[@jeebusthegreat8819]

The Chicago flag sucks and Detroit's is 1000% better. Sorry, but that's just a fact.

[@trexindominus8119]

​@@jeebusthegreat8819 Which one though? Cuz if it's the old one then BEGONE YOU FILTH! But if it's the new one then that's debatable.

[@HappyHog11]

@@jeebusthegreat8819worst bait I’ve ever seen

[@jeebusthegreat8819]

@@HappyHog11 It’s not bait it’s a fact. I’m tired of people shitting on the Detroit flag when it’s objectively really cool.

[@mosesracal6758]

Bro, South Korea is legit corporate land - even their government department seals and logos look like some corporation. Its so corporate that it gives you dystopian vibes birthed by insurance companies

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

So true, comrade

[@TheSwedishHistorian]

yeah, korea could use becoming more traditional and small business

[@ChasingDragons420]

Still better than their Northern counterparts

[@MrMarinus18]

Indeed. Hyundai and especially Samsung pretty much rule the country.

[@MD.Akib_Al_Azad]

@@MrMarinus18 and LG don't forget the third biggest family owned country in SK

[@-mcpie-6802]

Provo’s flag looks like a logo for vitamins made for elderly people

[@snowleopard064]

16:10

[@susimposter9412]

But the new one is great

[@MarcoMa210]

Looks like the logo for a cleaning product

[@ericturner4857]

Centrum Silver?

[@KevinAssalin]

The name too.... Edit: vo in portuguese means grandfather...and pro could mean "to" Soo...provo> pro-vo> to grandfather

[@cyanimation1605]

14:07 Milwaukee kinda collectively decided we were done with this flag and started adopting a new unofficial one of the sun rising over Lake Michigan. that one's now 10x more common than the official one.

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

The Detroit flag is....something! Here's the symbolism for all that for those wondering: The lower left quarter represents France for founding the fort and settlement in 1701. The upper right quarter represents Great Britain, which controlled the fort from 1760 to 1796, imitating the Royal Arms of England. Bottom right has 13 red and white stripes and the upper left has 13 white stars on a blue field, for the US. The two Latin mottos, Speramus Meliora and Resurget Cineribus, mean "We hope for better things" and "It will rise from the ashes" respectively. Written by Gabriel Richard after the Great Fire of 1805. The figure on the left weeps over the destruction while the figure on the right gestures to the new city that will rise in its place. There's no denying that the Maryland flag is unique. It's a banner of arms...that makes up the WHOLE flag! It's the 17th-century heraldic banner of arms of Cecil, 2nd Baron Baltimore. The black and gold is Lord Baltimore's banner (from his father, George Calvert 1st Baron Baltimore), while the red and white is called the Crossland banner and is from his grandmother. During the Civil War, Marylanders who sided with the Confederacy affiliated with the Crossland banner while those who fought for the Union wore the Lord Baltimore banner. The flag in its present form was first flown in 1880 but wasn't officially adopted as the state flag until 1904.

[@DinoRicky]

Ok our great leader

[@krio1267]

SUPREME LEADER

[@The_Mad_Pheasant]

"Britain is famed for making up symbols like it makes up village names" Never have I been more offended by something I completely agree with.

[@Dave_Sisson]

As a decendent of people who emigrated to Melbourne from a Lincolnshire village called "Spittle-in-the Street" 170 years ago, I always thought that the name of their home town is what motivated them to move to the other side of the world.

[@dontbeasadsoulja]

@@Dave_Sisson lmao

[@Waterford1992]

@@Dave_Sisson *Spital-in-the-Street

[@bEEgMark]

I went to college in Milwaukee and the funniest thing is seeing that people hated the official flag so much, they made their own and it became more widely used and basically became the new official flag

[@zachj7953]

Unofficial flag is so much better...

[@iivvrryy]

Live here, lived here all my life, ask anyone here and they will only recognize the people’s flag as Milwaukee’s flag. I haven’t seen our official “flag” outside of the internet genuinely in years. Official buildings will fly the people’s flag instead, it’s THAT much of an improvement.

[@srwapo]

@@iivvrryy I moved here a year ago and have seen the official one once.

[@Myriadys]

​@@srwapo where at? i don't think i've ever seen the "official" flag in 4 years of living here

[@srwapo]

@@Myriadys that's funny, just TODAY I drove past one on on Oklahoma across the street from Humboldt Park.

[@treppie]

Shout out to Alexandria, Egypt (6:53). Not only is it a good design, but despite never having seen it before, I could identify its city immediately upon sight. Great flag.

[@7Beanss]

Phoenix Arizona has a badass state and city flag. What's even more badass is the city emblem is used on fire depot, police vehicles, and ambulances. You can't go into a clothing store without it on a shirt too

[@InstantDeath-34]

The flag of Portland is also pretty good. Can’t say much about the state one though, the backside should just be the normal one.

[@Tronmo]

Looks like a lot of US city flags solidly fall into the category "Graphic design is my passion."

[@agarlicsorbet6482]

7:34 "Nation of corporate logos" is a depressing summary of our flags, but it reflects our culture pretty darn well and accurately. Might change our national flag to Samsung logo anytime soon.

[@Christopher_TG]

I've heard some observers call South Korea "The Republic of Samsung" because of just how powerful that company is there. How extensive is Samsung's influence in South Korea?

[@LeglessWonder]

@@Christopher_TG Im sure OP would have better first person insight than I, but just recently Samsungs vice chairman got a presidential pardon after being convicted of paying millions in bribes, embezzlement, and I forget what else. The official reason from the South Korean government was cause they were afraid him being in jail would hurt their economy too bad, and they wanted him free so he could help it.

[@antimonyv]

@@Christopher_TG This video about economics of South Korea explains it well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXangaaFeraVopI Basically, it is not only about Samsung, but other big Korean corporations being the main force of country's economics.

[@agarlicsorbet6482]

@@LeglessWonder yeah. That.

[@agarlicsorbet6482]

@@antimonyv Oh yes the Chaebols. You know Squid Game right? You can't not know it. The actor who played evil billionaire character in that series? He appeared on a government advertisement, praising the removal of corporate regulations by the current far right wing government and how it's so great for the freedom and economy. It was glorious. You can't make this up. Peak comedy. But it's fine. Everything's good. It's not like average workers like me was dying off from frequent workplace accidents, not allowed to call ambulances when we get our fingers cut off just to make the incident logs of the company clean, work overtime without being paid, nor it was the lifting of regulations and gross corporate negligence that sank the Sewol ferry or anything like that. It's Gucci. It's fine.

[@KyrieFortune]

"Be distinct" Cities, districts and three countries seeing a flag half white half red:

[@reverendroar]

As a Brit, I would say that we have more than just ‘St George’s Cross’ on our city and county flags. Local flags are mainly coat of arms that are associated with the city or county like Shropshire has leopards, Staffordshire has a knot, Essex has swords, Leicestershire has a rose and a fox, Hampshire has a crown and a rose- these are all associated because of historical events or cultural meanings like the Leicestershire fox is for Charnwood forest, the Staffordshire knot is associated with the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia, and Shropshire has loggerheads (leopards) derive from the Royal Arms of England and that the blue and yellow colours represent those of Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury. This is without me going into other flags like the Caernarfonshire flag with three eagles as it’s associated as the wealth, power and prestige original capital of Wales from the 12th century king, Owain Gwynedd, king of the erstwhile kingdom of Gwynedd (apparently he had the idea of Wales being the heirs to the Roman Empire), The flag of Shetland is a white or silver Nordic cross on a blue background. The flag uses the colours of the flag of Scotland, but in the form of the Nordic cross in order to symbolise Shetland's historical and cultural ties with Scandinavia (Orkney is similar with blue and yellow cross on a red backdrop). The Skye Flag is a community flag proclaiming the unique identity of this Hebridean island. A yellow Scandinavian cross interlaced with a white circle creates the image of a Celtic cross, while the light blue field references Skye's name and the colours of its shinty team. And even the Province of Ulster Flag (nine counties)- represents the nine counties of the ancient province of Ulster, and is one of the four provincial flags of Ireland. The flag is based on the crest of the O'Neill Chieftains of Ulster, who were renowned for their strong resistance to English rule, hence the flag is regarded as being Nationalist. So U.K. county flags are far more interesting than you originally thought. Also your interpretation of French city and county/region flags is kind of correct but they do also represent local cultures whether that’s the royal association in Bourgogne or Saint Tropez in St Tropez- French flags are far more distinguishable and individual than you think

[@d00gz_]

The Russian flag with the bear splitting an atom in its hands goes inconceivably hard and I will not let anyone tell me otherwise.

[@juanatethejetdryer7580]

Maybe it’s the flag of Chernobyl (jk)

[@kriskovichvaleria9108]

@@juanatethejetdryer7580 fun fact: it's the flag of Zheleznogorsk, which was established in 1950 for the production of weapons-grade plutonium

[@mikehurt3290]

It's one of my favorites

[@kas8ia]

@@juanatethejetdryer7580 chernobyl is not russian

[@bigmac69iiu71]

@@kas8ia it may be soon

[@sarysa]

6:32 - I almost spat my drink with that one. That flag's going to be dated in 20 years, which sounds weird for a city with 1400 years of incalculable cultural importance.

[@A_Black_Sheep94]

It's already outdated

[@robthewells7182]

Saudi arabia doesn't have city flags that flag is the makkah municipality flag.

[@p00bix]

I have a fly infestation at the moment. Curses upon your profile pic.

[@oll708]

I'm not even Muslim and it makes me mad that the most important city in the Islamic world looks bad

[@avenbrickner1150]

The best way I can describe the feeling I got when you showed the South Korean flags is that they all looked like they belonged on commemorative cups for the Olympics

[@treppie]

Long Beach (10:04) is such a missed opportunity. Keep the background, remove the seal and the lettering, and you have a pretty nice flag.

[@comic-guin528]

When Pocatello popped up I chuckled thinking “wow that is pretty bad” but then I noticed the copyright line and burst out laughing 😂

[@stevemc01]

same

[@misterz3673]

Same here

[@USSAnimeNCC-]

If you tell me this was a shitty rip off RPG game form the 90s or 80s I would've believed you

[@porkchopproductions0314]

Luckily the new flag is better🤣

[@badape9227]

At least Idaho got some attention for once even if it's the east side

[@thenamesianna]

I laughed too hard at the insults towards certain flags I literally had to pause to laugh at the flag of Pocatello

[@dannypipewrench533]

I had to pause and laugh when I went to Pocatello for the first time. Pretty nice place though, and I am proud I will get to say I live in the town with the worst flag.

[@ineednochannelyoutube2651]

Mecca is a Healthcare company now.

[@theredishradish]

I laughed for 20 seconds straight

[@michaelvanleeuwen3802]

Ackchyually AHH is out of date on Pocatello, they changed it in 2017. The new one isn't great but what can you really expect from a city in Idaho. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Pocatello

[@dannypipewrench533]

@@michaelvanleeuwen3802 I am going to be living there, I am bringing back the old flag.

[@andrewjuby6339]

16:43 Glad to see Wichita's flag got some respect, even if it's just a throwaway bit.

[@raydenney7534]

Reno NV flag is unbeaten 💪🏼 Glad to see you included it in the vid!

[@Patterrz]

I had no idea cities even had flags, I looked up the one for my city and was very disappointed, great video 10/10

[@pluey200]

My city doesn’t even have a flag, just the county. And it has text on it

[@zchaosemperor81]

I also had no idea my town has a flag and its kinda ugly because its just the town's official seal in white background

[@robertdaniels6644]

I don't know where I heard this, but it's a general rule of thumb that if you don't see your city flag, it likely sucks. I live near Lafayette, Louisiana, and I can't go four feet without seeing the Acadian flag everywhere when I'm in town, which was the official unofficial flag for the city for a while, till some local nutcase pushed through the abomination that is only seen on local government vehicles. I've never seen anybody proud of Baton Rouge's flag lmao. New Orleans is also pretty proud of their flag too. Upon inspection, it seems Shreveport followed the European model, while Lake Charles went generic as fuck, Kenner was so close yet so far, and Bossier went on an acid trip lol

[@SpicyMapping]

patterz you’re fucking everywhere man

[@andresltaifmuller1779]

@@pluey200 Which city? In my counry, a city neigbouring my has it's flag everywhere. No wonder the joke "República de Luque" exists. That's why I know about city flags.

[@patternedpike3746]

I love the flag at 3:55 so much. Just imagine the meeting where everyone's trying to come up with what to put on the flag and someone says "a picture of a flag".

[@newcantinacrispychickentac7754]

At least it's not as bad as the South African Defense Force (SADF). That one goes 3 layers deep. That's right, a flag within a flag within a flag within a flag. I love it

[@tobilandsfried8083]

Glad you like the flag of Würzburg my city I grew up in :D You know back in the holy roman empire my city was a powerful diocese ruled by a bishop. The prince-bishop who was to be feudalized rode around a seat frame with the feudal lord (emperor) three times at full speed during the feudalization ceremony, first without the flag you see on our flag, then with the corresponding racing flag, and finally with the fief flag with the coat of arms of the feudal lands. So cool he mentions it in the video!

[@historyman9436]

@@tobilandsfried8083 Yes Würzburg good. I was born in Würzburg aswell lmao

[@robinchesterfield42]

@@newcantinacrispychickentac7754 You know how occasionally you'll see a flag that's literally just a picture of the shape of the country, like Cyprus for example? Now I kinda want that island in a lake in an island in a lake in an island in a lake in Canada to have its own flag, in that style. Everybody would think they were hallucinating and slow down to look at it again...

[@damikuku4706]

@@newcantinacrispychickentac7754 no, that flag is four layers deep.

[@projection-75-emulation]

14:57 Provo looks like a gas station

[@kukaichou9775]

Starting the video I half-jokingly though that my islands flags should be in it. Imagine my surprise when he mentions Puerto Rico out of nowhere. Great vid!

[@AmunRa1]

As someone living in Idaho, I nearly died laughing at the reveal of Pocatello.

[@jasonreed7522]

It could be slightly improved by removing all the text and turning the many red lines into 1 red rectangle and sharpening the edges of the purple mountains/triangles. It would still be a horrible flag, but atleast it wouldn't be in last place. The only way to make it worse is to put some Shutterstock watermarks all over it.

[@levijanson9559]

ME TOO

[@Krispyana_1]

As a resident in the Chubbuck Pocatello area, I see our new flag as an absolute win

[@user-ve5hi4kc3u]

Yeah I agree@@Krispyana_1

[@brendanrisney2449]

So glad you mentioned the flag of Zheleznogorsk, if only briefly, because _that_ is a rabbit hole worth jumping in.

[@1CE.]

Is that the one with the 3 animal heads?

[@eduarddv00]

@@1CE. bear crushing an atom

[@EmeraldLavigne]

@@eduarddv00 splitting, looks more like...

[@1CE.]

@@eduarddv00 Bless Atom!

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

It's indeed a bear splitting an atom. The town is the main soviet/russian atomic research center. Couldn't have picked a better design for that town.

[@Scanner_51]

As a person who grew up in Fremont, still goes there because my parents are there, just like 1½ miles from the city limits, i appreciated seeing our next door neighbor of Milpitas CAs flag at 1:33. Didn't know they had one!

[@eltonmateusnevesneves]

My favorite city flag is Cambé, in Brazil Of course, it has the city seal on it, but the seal is just two red half circles a little separete, representing a grain of coffee. It's so simple yet so effective And you see this symbol everywhere in the city, so they sold the idea really well

[@the_fixer2593]

13:44 "I'll be an avid defender of the Maryland Flag until the day I die." Thank you Cody... you are an Honorary Marylander now (it's one of the few good things we have left that people recognize us for).

[@cameronmadden3488]

At least you guys have old bay

[@bujisus5068]

I always liked the flag of Maryland,I think it looks unique,unlike most other states

[@SkylineFTW97]

Sad but true. Born and raised in Montgomery county, our largest county population wise. It ain't what it used to be here.

[@SeanHiruki]

@@cameronmadden3488 I mean it’s basically a law that we need Old Bay in our pantries at all times

[@lezelligfan]

@Alexa--------👇💋 oh god this is a fucking video about flags why does a fucking only fans bot comment in here

[@chadiusmaximus1266]

American Cities: we've got you surrounded! make a soulless flag for your city now! The City of Phoenix: I LOVE GOOD FLAG DESIGN!!!! I LOVE GOOD FLAG DESIGN!!!!

[@jackmclaughlin9911]

well no, some city flags of the USA are good. such as where I live Chicago is probably the best in the USA

[@robertarden2208]

Most Arizona city flags that aren't seals would be pretty good if they removed the text on them

[@professorcube5104]

@@jackmclaughlin9911 the flag of portland oregon is 11/10

[@lsuperior]

Absolutely goated flag, frustrating oversight by the Codester

[@Eknashik]

The denver flag kinda kicks ass. I honestly like it more than the Colorado flag

[@theEWDSDS]

10:52 just realized how much editorcody bullied us (Minnesota) in this segment. Elko, Apple Valley, Woodbury... RIP

[@Specolution]

5:06 man the music SLAPS

[@mlc4495]

Japanese city flags look like the flags of fictional planets/worlds in Star Trek, which immediately makes them great.

[@davidrivero1755]

no

[@judeknowles2319]

True

[@____Carnage____]

@@davidrivero1755 yes

[@tunguska2370]

No Japan cringe

[@revolvingworld2676]

I looked them up and yeah you're right

[@ErikNilsen1337]

I grew up in Placentia, CA. The city flag flies above the civic center, and nowhere else (mercifully). A neighboring city, Yorba Linda, had a flag design contest a couple years ago. It looks so much better, and I wish Placentia would do the same.

[@tedparkinson2033]

Nixon was from Yorba Linda I think.

[@ErikNilsen1337]

@@tedparkinson2033 That is correct. He was born here (but later moved to Whittier), and there is a Presidential Library named after him on the corner of Yorba Linda Blvd and Imperial Hwy. On the property is his childhood home and a presidential helicopter. I think he's buried there, too.

[@chasesearle556]

As a fellow Orange Countian who decided to draw out every flag in the county to make a Polandball map once, I can confirm your flag is indeed one of the worst. I'm so sorry, man. Oh well, at least you don't have a generic seal on a white background like us in the south.

[@meepthegreat]

that is a very unfortunate city name

[@stephenwilliams163]

@@tedparkinson2033 If I remember right a bowling alley in Yorba Linda is where Eris presented herself to Malaclypse the Younger

[@expo4266]

As a resident of Milwaukee, I've seen that design around (never once on a flag) and just thought it was "a design" to put on hoodies and the like. I laughed out loud when I saw that was the actual flag.

[@simplestu9449]

14:07 Milwaukee changed its flag in 2016, and its honestly a pretty cool design. It's a lot simpler than the old one, and definitely more recognizable from a distance.

[@deer8071]

Making your city's flag just a logo with the city name under it is like discovering a new planet and naming it "George."

[@Jaydee-wd7wr]

King George is great planet name you back off from my boy Georgie.

[@QuantumAscension1]

Well, more accurately: Georgia

[@Hadar1991]

USA did it already, they named big city "Gary". :D

[@sachyriel]

Creating a new Earth after energy-aliens destroyed the old one and calling it "Planet Bob"

[@k.umquat8604]

@@Jaydee-wd7wr B-RAP!

[@gigiapollo]

What did Minnesota do to deserve getting dragged 4 times in this video?? My sister and I had to keep pausing to laugh, especially since our mom was on the committee that voted for one of those designs🤣

[@LittleGoblinBoi]

Because it is Minnesota. The only way to make it worse is by transforming it into Ohio.

[@jacobdalland1390]

I noticed that too, the suburbs really got dragged through the mud. And yes, most MN suburb flags suck, but there is at least one that looks good: the flag of Robbinsdale. It looks good enough that you will actually see it flying on many of Robbinsdale's streets. Minneapolis itself has a decent flag IMO, although the circle with all the symbols is a little much.

[@sirpizzas2]

Bro, the Faribo flag is so sad but true. 😭

[@carbongreen3498]

@@jacobdalland1390 Oh... No... No No it does not

[@Necrow_Productions]

I know he hates letters and words in flags, but what's really the wrong about Woodbury? It's simple enough and has a nice tree!

[@SiameseOnMC]

after rewatching the same video 3 times i just noticed 4:05 my country and city Strumica 😭, the one with text. Prilep and Skopje are some that dont have text ( Prileps my fav )

[@MartyFox]

The funny thing about the new flag of Cedar Rapids is that the city already had a logo that was distinctive, simple and symbolic (representing the Tree of Five Seasons sculpture in the center of town) that anyone in eastern Iowa would recognize as meaning Cedar Rapids, and yet they refused to put it on the flag

[@rickoftherick4610]

Most of Puerto Rico's flags where done before 1898 so that's a reason why they look so different. The people that lived in those areas had and still do to a degree have a distinct culture and history to them. Puerto Rico might be small but the history is HUGE.

[@Michael-gg6ft]

Additionally, creating the flag probably required more work by hand (sewing, stitching, etc...) so intricate images would have been more difficult to produce.

[@shadyxv8165]

Ayo finally someone mentions us :))

[@chewy99.]

@@shadyxv8165 I mean it’s part of America so whenever America is mentioned that’s you too my dude

[@DaniLoRiver]

@@chewy99. no we're barely never included in the conversation when "America" (the United States) is brought up. And if it was the two whole continents you were referring to as America, that's still far too broad to have any impact

[@detleffleischer9418]

@@chewy99. Puerto Rican legal debates get more coverage on Mexico's Channel 22 and the Channel of the Federal Congress/JusticiaTV than the island even gets mentioned on US media.

[@GrouchierBear]

I was born in Pocatello, and even though I lived there for all of a few weeks over twenty years before that flag was adopted, I still feel like I need to apologize for it.

[@jag92949]

Your flag is so bad that it’s good.

[@rejectedcopy4733]

Honestly that flag made me lose my mind laughing so no harm done I'd say

[@ethanswick]

16:04 I keep retuning to this video just to watch this bit 🤣

[@jasondurgalajr5208]

11:29 Hey Cody, that Winter Park one is actually pretty 🔥

[@gabrielborges9438]

As a Puerto Rican flag nerd, I must say it was very exciting to see you acknowledge the flags of our municipalities and set them as an example of city flags done right. Most of our towns have cool and interesting flags that I feel most citizens take for granted. Cheers from la Isla del Encanto 🇵🇷

[@kelvinsantiago7061]

Saludos compatriota!.

[@scintillam_dei]

Reggayton is an abomination.

[@kelvinsantiago7061]

@@scintillam_dei Won't argue with that.

[@fiquitoyunque]

Most of our municipal flags are visualizations of city coats of arms that were designed in Spanish times… San Juan’s, for example, has the coat of arms granted to the city after it repelled an armed invasion (from the British, I believe). They’re not flights of fancy from some hypercreative graphics designer, they follow vexillological and heraldry rules. 🇵🇷 And the Lares flag was our NATIONAL FLAG ONCE! “Pertenece a, pero no es parte de.”

[@theduchessofkitty4107]

Seventy-nine of them. Count ‘em. All unique. 🇵🇷

[@Bnev93]

The Chicago flag is one of the few things that makes me proud of the city. It’s simple yet well done, good colors, each star and point has meaning, very recognizable. There’s a reason you see it across the world at festivals and concerts. People know what it is and like it, it’s cool to people even not from Chicago.

[@60sSam]

If only the city was as good as the flag.

[@clonetrooperchris]

@@60sSam it is

[@lifevest1]

For the longest time I thought the flag was from some obscure middle eastern country!

[@KevinOrzel]

I love our flag too, but I think there's a lot of things to be proud of in Chicago, not sure why the flag is one of your only ones. Museums, architecture, food, music, parks, etc. Of course we've got our problems, but it's still a wonderful, world-class city in my opinion

[@underclas]

The flag sucks

[@KOAHUNT3R]

Man, to see Sanger brought up is a trip. I lived there while I attended Reedley College. It's such a small city that even people in California barely know it exists. I have to tell people I lived in "Fresno."

[@lanceobst5731]

I love how my hometown (which technically consists of several cities smushed together) got picked on twice! West Melbourne and Palm Bay!

[@HelpICantThinkOfACleverName]

Ok, let me tear into some of these flags a little: 14:40 Beverly Hills' flag look like a semi-3D image from an early 2000s DS game. 14:57 What is that? A cleaner brand's logo? 15:00 Did someone run out of toilet paper in the bathroom? 15:10 When your flag almost educes headaches in those looking at it... 15:31 "Your incorporation is approved! Just let me stamp your design as proof."

[@efficiencygaming3494]

The Chicago flag always stuck out as an exemplary design. It's simple and iconic, yet it doesn't try too hard to stand out. Why can't more city flags be more like that? You know you've gone way too far when you have a trademark symbol and a copyright on your flag. Turning your flag into an advertisement seems like such an American thing to do. That Provo flag is so bad, it's good. It's hilarious! Did the designer rip off the logo from a bottle of Centrum multivitamins?

[@1224chrisng]

Provo looks like they're a film photography company in the 90s on clearance

[@AndroidCyclist]

@@1224chrisng Provo updated their flag in 2015. The new one is much better.

[@ihathtelekinesis]

The brilliance of the Chicago flag just makes the flag of Illinois look even more like a bowl of watery blancmange.

[@CaptainApathetic]

The trademark is really to make sure a company doesn't use the flag or something very similar to prevent people from thinking they're associated with their city government. Idk if you can actually enforce copyright on a civic symbol tho, trademark definitely at leastfor businesses in the area.

[@dethkillerspiral]

That's an oddly specific reference

[@user-eu6kz7rz7e]

The flag of my hometown in Kazakhstan 6:58, was the last thing I was waiting for. Thanks for the vid!

[@robot_boi]

7:45 just gonna nitpick on this one, the flag of Seoul changed bc the original was made by the Japanese Empire that is supposed to mimic the flag of Tokyo(which if u look it up, looks very similar)

[@gedehahsen429]

Russia actually has a really good and accessible art and graphic design education programs and universities, which may be the reason for having a lot of quality modern flags

[@johndong7524]

Too bad their cities suck.

[@jart1984]

cool

[@camerontjoe5535]

white lies fan x althisthub = intellectual

[@KasumiRINA]

Quality? Education? If you're a russian in 20s you're dying in Bakmut trenches after being used as sex toy by Wagner Nazis or Chechens. Their goddamn country flag is ripoff from Netherlands ship ensign peter took 300 years ago when he renamed muscovy to russia. They spend entire decades making up random unfitting variations of that with their mutant rooster for other countries regions they invade, and in the end the most memorable thing they came up with is confederate flag sans stars for the part of Ukraine they failed to conquer in 2014. The russian flag should be banned and burned whenever it appears, on clothing too. If one who set it up pleads guilty they might be even allowed to remove the item first. But just... set it on fire.

[@borkistanon4194]

One of the only thing I can applaud the Russkies for other than the periodic table of elements and other shit

[@Mr_M_History]

If city flags make Portland one step closer to finally seceding from and leaving the union, I'm not against it...

[@evertonfan7790]

What do you have against Portland bro 😆

[@Mr_M_History]

By the way I'm not even American, I'm Australian. I just hear cheap shots against Portland is an easy way to make friends over here

[@Spongebrain97]

@@evertonfan7790 he probably doesn't like the young counter culture vibes. Which is funny because if not for Portland and the coast and forests then Oregon wouldn't have anything interesting about it especially with the drabby eastern parts that are just an extension of Idaho

[@TM_AZ]

@@evertonfan7790 Well, there's the hipsters, the rain, the city being basically run by "Antifa" goons...

[@starmaker75]

As an portlander, it not even counter culture, it presntious idiots and the worst stereotypes of left wingers.

[@Francois39]

I really like the flag of Wellington, New Zealand. IDK why but the yellow and black with three ships tickles something in my brain.

[@oasntet]

I was thinking about the Cascadian flag and how you'd even add it to a video... But maybe a series on flags of places that don't actually exist?

[@compatriot852]

16:18 This caught me so off guard I couldn't help but to let out a big belly laugh. Almost spilled my drink as well

[@EverythingTheorist]

11:12 I laughed so hard at the "advertising" version of the US flag. The land outline that overlaps the stripes, the tiny seal, the slogan that just says "A Great Place to Live", that has it all.

[@nelgery]

Loved seeing Rockville, MD at 13:44. It’s the only town I’ve lived where average citizens would fly the town flag at their house

[@Noelll]

13:20 I've been through this city before while traveling on I-35. Their water tower is on display for passersbys, and just like the flag the O is too big. It even crosses where the line is on their water tower. They tried making it look a bit better by cutting the line off before the O but it's pretty clear what the original design was. I don't know why they are so committed to writing their city name like that.

[@calebrivera8913]

I got so excited when you mentioned Puerto Rico, It's not just flags though, we are really prideful of the towns we come from, each town has their own anthem, their own patron saint festival, their own baseball/basketball/volleyball team, and their own coat of arms, and it's own culture in general. for example Ponce is known for Plena, Loiza for Bomba, and Carolina for Reggaeton.

[@slevinchannel7589]

Have you seen 'Finland Ended Homelessnes' and 'Unions are Good'? By the KZbinrs Some More News and Second Thought? I tthink they are pure, unfiltered Awareness-Raisers and really need to be watched and if judged to be helpful to be seen more, emailed to Big KZbinrs.

[@kelvinsantiago7061]

Compatriota saludos desde Hatillo.

[@EnderDeveloper]

Some barrios of Puerto Rico even have a flag.

[@scintillam_dei]

Puerto Ricoduring the Spanish Empire: NO AIDS: US: AIDS degeneracy and other stupid shit.

[@neilgagarin9331]

I was surprised because I think that is the same for entire Latin America and he sad that we just use stripes.

[@HeortirtheWoodwarden]

4:22 Woah, that Greek flag is *_really_* good. The colors are mature and compliment each other, the sailboat is just epic, and while text on flags breaks the design rules, I think it works here. Probably because since there are so many more cities than countries, they get a pass for trying to help you understand where it's from, but also in that particular one the text's color, font and curvature just fits greatly in the flag's design. Also framed flags are underrated (frame as in a color that goes all around the rectangle).

[@ChaoticAphrodite]

Aside: “Ελευθερία ου Θάνατος” literally translates to “Freedom or DEATH” which is so much more baller than New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die.” Plus the nine stripes of the modern Hellenic national flag represent the nine syllables of that phrase.

[@Strideo1]

Personally I think text on a flag is the one rule that can be broken within reason. I actually like the old California Republic flag even though it has text on it. Text on a flag should generally be avoided but sometimes it's okay.

[@Strideo1]

@@ChaoticAphrodite The two phrases are almost the same but "Freedom or death" is just a bit more laconic.

[@user-nc6td8ox1t]

There are no actual "flag rules", the no text shit is just a redditor circlejerk, and therefore gets ignored by everybody.

[@cmyk8964]

Meh, it works better as a seal IMO. The ship doesn't have enough space to assert itself properly.

[@scanza6084]

I actually like the new flag design that was made for Toledo, OH. (There’s one in Spain) but then they kept postponing the freakin vote and now I can’t find if they changed it or not.

[@theseus0467]

14:48 The building looks like it should be for a national focus in oi4

[@JuniperJadePR]

The Pocatello flag made me feel like I traveled back in time to a 1980's food court. It's true that in PR, each town really did seem to think hard about what they wanted to do with their town flag since they wanted their residents to feel proud of them. Although, I will still engage in local flag slander because Cataño's flag exists & it's impossible to look at for prolonged periods of time without getting dizzy.

[@Xanthelei]

As someone with a clipart flag, I looked it up thinking "It can't be THAT bad..." Holy hell that has to be a trip to watch on a windy day, no drugs needed.

[@JuniperJadePR]

@@Xanthelei The sad part is that the town actually has a lovely coat of arms. They could just put that with a white background & it'll still be an improvement.

[@quentintin1]

apparently from another comment on the video, the flag was originally commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce just to be used at fairs and events then the city took it and ran with it

[@JuniperJadePR]

@@quentintin1 Saw that one & thankfully, they changed it recently to something that is actually pretty (& a flag!)

[@Noahed_]

@@Xanthelei it reminds me of a Chinese finger trap.

[@srwapo]

I recently moved to Milwaukee and I liked the flag I was seeing everywhere that I looked it up. Turns out it's a design that was made a few years ago and everyone flies it, but hasn't been taken up as the official flag for various reasons. I think I've seen the real Milwaukee flag like once. Heck, even the city science museum flies the custom flag!

[@drewkuborn825]

the People’s Flag of Milwaukee is basically the de facto flag at this point

[@stigrabbid589]

Detroit has a similar thing, an unofficial flag that looks way better than the official one.

[@livethefuture2492]

​@@drewkuborn825 Haha I like how you call it the 'People's flag of Milwaukee' sounds like something straight of the communist bloc.

[@ImTotallyTechy]

Yea, the people's flag is definitely more common than that one. And it's way better.

[@timcreations8059]

@@livethefuture2492 Yeah the term "People's X" can go both ways. Sometimes it is a term used by authoritarian regimes to make it seem that they care about, or that the country belongs to, the people, but the term can also be used by people who actually want self determination or actual freedom....or just something that better represents citizens than what has been officially established.

[@cloudyfloof.5833]

0:32 That was a low blow to Arkansas, without that I wouldn't know where I was.

[@Videokirby]

I did a bit of a dive into flags as well due to this video, and I was actually surprised to see many US Departments having flags. I was much more surprised that, out of every organization, the NOAA has an actually decent flag.

[@gustavoangladacancel5613]

As a Puerto Rican I think the reason that the flags look better here than in the states is because of the longer colonial history and being older.

[@joedingo7022]

This checks out, as generally speaking (excluding cities that changed them in the 20th and 21st centuries) US city flags also get progressively worse the newer you go. Of course, cities that changed their flags during the 20th century get bonus points for being ungodly terrible.

[@Jay2JayGaming]

7:56 Ooh! I can answer this one! The Japanese are basically doing the same thing as the Europeans here, using their version of a coat of arms (called a mon, though you'll have an easier time looking it up by searching for kamon) or a derivation there of, and just sticking it on their flag. It just so happens that the principles by which the Japanese designed mon emphasize minimalism, symmetry, and and geometric shapes- or the same things as you're looking for in a flag. They are also used as the symbols for corporations too, like the Mistubishi logo.

[@user-ft9ul5ul5v]

Most of prefectural and city flags were created in Showa era and built around letters of kana. So this isn't a "true" kamon, but yes, same principles

[@Jay2JayGaming]

@@user-ft9ul5ul5v Interesting! A question comes to mind: what are the requirements for a 'true' kamon? Wikipedia doesn't specify

[@user-ft9ul5ul5v]

@@Jay2JayGaming It is usually a family crest. Also, old kamons weren't specifically built with letters in mind, because hiragana wasn't officially used (and more - endorsed) in such times. I remember Shogo recently did a vid about it in depth

[@byranwhitehead5351]

As someone who grew up in Bellflower, California that flag/logo has haunted me no matter where I go.

[@charliedaood6848]

The featuring of the Wichita flag made me smile at the end. I’m laying right beside one rn.

[@bhzoop]

I live in the Greater New Orleans Area and I pass through Westwego some times (pronounced West we go, not West waygo) and I saw the flag when driving and nearly shit a brick that the terrible flag is near me lmao.

[@Euanverse]

While not cities, I think the county flags of Liberia are some of the most interesting flags I’ve seen

[@matts2436]

I was thinking the same thing

[@frankglynn8209]

Ireland's ones are almost all either bicolour or tricolour flags

[@goreoproductions6955]

Hello Tim

[@themightyeagle21]

Ah yes, the preschool flags, beautiful

[@Copyright_Infringement]

"Interesting" is certainly a word for it

[@FacterinoCommenterino]

Today's fact: Cards against Humanity bought an island in Maine to preserve wildlife. It is called Hawaii 2.

[@F.R.E.D.D2986]

Wait, what the fu-

[@Butter_Warrior99]

Beautiful.

[@devlinmcguire7543]

...

[@dethkillerspiral]

You should start making more yt videos with these facts of yours

[@mnealbarrett]

CGP Grey did an awesome video on US state flags. You and he very much agree about the lettering.

[@noahezer9295]

About Tampa's flag, I really can't unsee the B-2/B-21 at the 'converging end' of flag🤣

[@kyleplatter8954]

As a former Minnesotan I find it hilarious how many of these are the towns… Apple valley, Eagan, Woodberry, Fariboult etc. love it (also fun fact I was working on my eagle scout and was doing my “citizenship in the community” merit badge and got to sit in on a city council meeting in apple valley when they were discussing a possible rebranding of the flag. The proposed designs were… interesting)

[@CommentaryWtihCarmine]

Minnesota gang I love going to the mall and seeing the great city of Woodburys unfurled banner

[@idigamstudios7463]

Duluth manages to follow the rules really well though. Not even a Duluth native and I gotta admit they win.

[@adamerickson7605]

I live in Apple Valley rn but I used to live in Elko. Gotta say Apple Valley is an improvement

[@thegeneralissimo470]

It really is just meant to be a logo, the flag is very much just a city council “fuck it” decision.

[@David-qo8zg]

As a Floridian, I just had to look up my city’s flag and see how bad it was. To my surprise, compared to the other Florida flags it’s actually pretty good. We managed to adopt a flag in 2018 with no words or seals on it. Instead we have a quartered background with a white cross in the shape of a flying bird.

[@Sigskogi]

At least yours doesn't have the outline of the county on it >.

[@Zander2212]

I'm also a Floridian and decided to check. Turns out there are no Municipal flags in my county.

[@moo8866]

whats the city

[@novindichar]

16:12 Pocatello's flag just straight up looks like a t-shirt tag. It's giving...Fruit of the Loom. 🧐

[@Tikolu]

Was not expecting that personal attack at 9:06

[@Power-G]

6:32 I know it’s included in the little montage of great Egyptian flag designs, but I don’t think I’ve ever recognised a place faster without seeing it’s flag before than with Alexandria. Top tier 10/10 flag imo. More flags need to include landmarks (surviving or otherwise) like Alexandria or Cambodia 🇰🇭

[@jonathanho1451]

Oh, so it was Alexandria? That was my guess

[@blumoogle2901]

Cape Town has table Mountain pretty prominent, if stylised in the typical 5 colour swirl South Africa likes so much on flags.

[@bruhbruhhh6592]

I liked the oil well flag, straight to the point

[@guntotingleftist8004]

7:28 A "nation of corporate logos" is a good description of South Korea.

[@JoeLikesTrains]

Literally, in my town (Its not a city but with A population of 10k Id say its close) its just 2 crows. Red background with 2 crows in it, apparently it came by when some time ago 2 crows landed on the Cathedral during some religious event, and the people back then took it as a sign and now make everything that flag

[@ch4rl0tt3D]

one flag in the US with wording in rhode island’s. it one word just “HOPE” on a small blue with simple yellow stars a white background with an anchor smack dab in the middle

[@calvinunderwood5751]

Saint Louis, Missouri has a great flag in my opinion. It has the fleur de lis connecting two rivers into one representing the french origin of the city that connects the Missouri and Mississippi rivers

[@grumpychocobo]

Yup, I was worried it wasn't going to be shown at all but basically, at the very end he mentioned/showed some good flags and basically, yeah, not funny to talk about the good ones. lol

[@timmylean]

I agree there. Tulsa, OK and Wichita, KS is pretty good, too. Dodge City, KS has a flag that's generically modern and should have just used the city seal if only to have crossed revolvers on a flag.

[@mohammedabdul4832]

We shouldn't put Fr*nch things anywhere. Especially not on Flags

[@from_no_where]

@@timmylean hey someone else mentioned Tulsa! I was hoping Cody would mention it because it's a pretty good flag. I thought for sure he would bring up some of our older flags because some of them are just not good.

[@coquimapping8680]

Glad you talked about Puerto Rican flags. I have almost learned them all! Also, you showed the Hormigueros flag, which is in every little corner of the little town. It’s flag is featured in a lot of artwork around town.

[@grstudiosPR]

Yeah it’s a common trend there, I’m from Arecibo and some buildings had the flag’s colors/design painted on them.

[@mr.goblin6039]

Even if I think we have way too many municipalities, at least we have nice looking flags.

[@gabrielborges9438]

In San Lorenzo, pretty much everyone has a a small flag in their homes from when we celebrated 200 years of the town’s founding back in 2011 and it is also featured prominently in artwork around it.

[@mitjaslamek6853]

3:42 that's the flag of my city Maribor, Slovenia. Fut fact, our coat of arms is copyrighted or protected or something along those lines, because the bird is facing down. Glad to see it in a video. Edit:grammar

[@VirgilAspect]

9:07 I have to protest there the flags with words on are only used for the GAA, the regular county flag is just the crest over one-to-three colours And they work very well as flags too

[@d.e.belton3515]

This made me look up my city's flag and found out they changed it two years ago from a city seal on a blue field to an actual halfway decent destincitve with no seals, gradients, lettering, or logos. Made me happy.

[@jacobharley8401]

Believe it or not, there's another side effect of the seal on a banner design. When you have so many, they blend together until people forget some that exist. For example, my hometown, Turlock, has a white background with the city seal in the middle. However, the flag is pretty much nowhere to be seen on the internet except GOOGLE MAPS because the flag is waving outside of the city hall, and I've gone by countless times going to and from school, which is the only reason I know the design in the first place.

[@anncokafor]

The video kept showing Illinois's flag, and I was so confused since this was supposed to be a video on city flags. Now, I'm learning it's actually the flag of Chicago ?? Mindblown!

[@klins061]

Portland, Oregon has an incredibly satisfying flag design. And it’s really distinctive too, with the offset Nordic cross which just looks badass.

[@pbilk]

16:30 the pocatello flag looks like something that your would find on an 80s neon coloured baggy jacket.

[@Pantsinabucket]

Glad I live in Chicago, one of the few US cities with an actually cool flag. Only place I’ve ever been in the country where people actually fly it or get tattoos of it, etc.

[@nickrustyson8124]

Phoenix Arizona's flag is pretty cool too, same goes to North Vegas

[@syrialak101]

Imagine if somebody got a tattoo of the Pocatello flag…

[@honeycomblord9384]

@@syrialak101 Well they got a new flag that looks pretty neat.

[@nickrustyson8124]

@@syrialak101 The old one or the new one?

[@thedoomdragon2895]

Wichita person here, I can relate!

[@ralphbarten2342]

The flag of Oeteldonk, the alternative carnaval name of 's-Hertogenbosch (Netherlands) is actually really good. It's a red, white and yellow tricolor - so vibrant and cheerful.