One of the most iconic parts of the Indianapolis 500 is the checkered flag that indicates the end of the race. The American flag with its distinctive blue field, white stripes and brown border is a traditional depiction of the “Indy” flag. However, like many iconic images, its meaning has changed over the years.
That flag has been used to represent the United States since the 19th century. It was first flown over Boston during the Revolutionary War and then adopted as the national flag in 1792. Its first appearance at the Indianapolis 500 was in 1911 and, since then, it has become associated with American Independence Day celebrations and the elite status of the Indy 500. There’s also a popular legend that, on each Independence Day, an extra fold was added to the American flag to accommodate the rising number of war veterans attending the racing event.
The End Of An Era
Although the design of the flag has changed over the years, the basic meaning has not. As long as there have been Indy cars, there have been drivers who have braved the heat and the pressure to secure that much-desired “Indy” pin. It is, therefore, not surprising that the majority of Indy car fans are now focusing on the end of an era as the series prepares for a major overhaul. They are, however, a motivated group and have proven, once again, that nothing can stop them from coming together in support of their beloved vehicles and drivers.
The Evolution Of The “Indy” Flag
The last three Indy 500s have seen a complete design overhaul of the iconic flag. The first was in 1929 when the United States entered the Great Depression. The white, blue and brown stripes were, therefore, replaced with black, purple and gold. The next major change took place in 1950 when the brown border around the flag was eliminated. Finally, in 1974, the black and white checkerboard pattern was replaced with a solid white background. This was done in order to distinguish the “Indy” flag from the American flag. This is a relatively minor change, but it’s important to remember that each redesign was motivated by a particular event or historical occurrence.
What’s Next For Motor Sport
The next Indy 500 will be held on May 23, 2020 and, although there are no details yet on the new design, it’s clear that something significant is going to happen. The event has always been closely associated with Memorial Day in the United States and, in 2020, it will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War, also known as World War I. It was, in fact, the first Indy 500 that was held in May due to the suspension of the race following the conclusion of the war in November 1918. It is, therefore, likely that the “Indy” flag will be a prominent feature of the 2020 festivities. The Great War was, by some measures, the deadliest conflict in human history, claiming between 16 and 18 million lives. The numbers are staggering and it’s fair to say that it was a pivotal moment in the development of the world we today know.
The Changing Face Of American Freedom
If you ask a hundred people what they think of when they think of the United States, you will get one hundred different answers. One thing, however, is for sure – everyone will think of the “Indy” flag when asked about American Independence Day. Since the end of World War I, American military personnel have marched in the Indianapolis 500 parade each year on Independence Day weekend. It was, therefore, only a matter of time before the two events were finally merged into one. While the merging of these two historic races may represent progress, it’s also clear that, at least since the 1930s, the American flag and the “Indy” flag have not held the same meaning. The former has, in fact, become a symbol of the anti-war movement due to its close association with the independence of the individual state and its representation of the United States as a whole. The latter has, over the years, gone through several transformations, but its original meaning has always been maintained.
The Changing Role Of Women In Motor Sports
Included amongst the many legendary drivers of the 1920s and 1930s was a woman named Amelia Earhart. She recorded more than seventy flying hours and became, arguably, one of the greatest aviatrixes of all time. Earhart began her aviation career in 1914 and, during World War I, she flew cargo missions for the U.S. Navy. After the war, she established herself as a pilot for hire and, in 1926, became the first woman to receive a commercial pilot license from the Federal Aviation Administration. That same year, she also became the first woman to receive a flight instructor license. Earhart began her Indy car career in 1929 and quickly became one of the racing series’ most recognizable faces. She died in July 1937 when her plane, the “Eerie Kenning,” crashed on its approach to Milford Airport in Connecticut. The cause of the accident was listed as “extreme loss of control due to a stalled engine.” Earhart is credited with making landings on both ocean and lake fronts. She also explored the Arctic Circle and recorded several “firsts” for women in aviation. She was only 49 years old.
A Historic Revival
The 1920s and 1930s were not only the heyday of the “Indy” flag but also the “flapper” era in which women were, for the most part, expected to cover up and, as a result, became less prominent in society. The figureheads of the era often don’t conform to today’s standards of beauty but, nonetheless, they were symbols of a changing time as women began to demand equal rights. The first step toward a more modern-day “Indy” flag was taken in 1935 when the Speedway changed its font and added some stripes to the design. The following year, the border around the flag was altered in a slightly modified pattern that is still used today. Since then, the design has mostly remained the same, making it one of the most recognizable symbols of the United States. Although the color scheme has changed over the years, the basic design has always been kept the same.
A National Anthem
While the design of the “Indy” flag has changed over the years, its meaning has not. As long as there have been Indy cars, there have been drivers who have braved the heat and the pressure to secure that much-desired “Indy” pin. In many ways, the end of the “Indy” flag is the end of an era and, although it will be replaced, for now, it still represents the spirit of the people and the cars that have made the series famous.