Flag of the United States of Quentin

The Flag of the United States of Quentin, also frequently referred to as the Quentinian Flag or the United States of Quentin Flag, is the national flag of the United States of Quentin. The nation's flag is a rectangle shaped banner consisting of three equal stripes, one brown, one green, and one tan, representing the first 3 original states of the nation, the Grassland Area, Snowland, and Desert Area respectively. In the top two corners there are blue colored stars outlined in white, with a third star in the center of the flag which is grey. These stars also represent the first three states. Finally, behind the center star is the head of a person, along with a crossed axe and hoe. These tools represent the farming and lumber origins of the nation. Nicknames for the flag include Old Steve and the Villager's Pride. The United States of Quentin officially adopted the flag in 1830, though it was in use since 1805 by the Territories of Quentin, which preceded the nation.

History

The flag was originally created in 1805 for the Territories of Quentin, the predecessor to the USQ, and was the official flag of the Territories throughout its existence, flying alongside the Flag of the Megatridimensional Order. In 1823 the flag flew alone in the Territories after the Quentinian Declaration of Independence was released. Throughout the Quentinian War for Independence the flag was used by the Territories in battle, and when the new nation officially won its independence in 1830, it was designated as the official flag of the new country by the Interim Assembly of the Independent Quentinian State. The flag was originally designed in 1805 by Steve Maxxsmith, a local designer in Baltimore. The Territorial Assembly immediately accepted the design, and with the permission of Maxxsmith and a unanimous vote, the flag went into official use that same year. The flag has been used since then, and it is one of the most sacred national symbols of the nation, perhaps the most sacred. Throughout the nation, desecrating the flag is legal, however in the Multi-Logan State it is illegal by state law, the origins of a continuing dispute.

Past Attempted Redesigns

The flag, though it is one of the most sacred and respected symbols in the nation, has been criticized by numerous state governments and critics who say the flag does not represent the entire nation, and only includes the first three states. This has created numerous past attempts by state governments and others to change the flag's design to include either 7 more stars, add 7 more stripes, though they would be the same color, or both. Other proposals include ridding the flag of the stars except for the central star, and adding a ring of ten stars around the seal in the center of the flag, which would be blue colored.

None of these attempts have succeeded, however there has been some momentum generated in the past for such movements. In 1921, the Chip Area State Legislature passed a resolution to fly a variant version of the flag, which would include the central seal plus ten more stars, all over the state. This gathered much participation in the state, and state buildings flew the flag for nearly 2 months. However, in August of 1921 the federal Department of State issued a warning to the state to remove the flags, as they were not an official symbol the nation and violated, "the tradition, law, and honor of the nation." The DOS added, "Flying the flag is a severe desecration of your state's honor and stature in the world, and all attempts to continue this piracy and treason of the highest order shall result in swift and immediate forfeiture of your state." The forfeiture of state warning is the highest warning the DOS can distribute, and the DOS gave the CA two days to reverse the proclamation, which they did only 8 hours after the release of the warning.

The 1921 incident garnered the most support for the redesign of the flag, and mainly because of the traditionalist attitude of Quentinian society and the large historical value placed upon the flag, it is not likely to be changed in the near future.

Symbolism

The flag of the United States of Quentin is the most sacred national symbol in the country, and great historical and moral importance is placed upon the design and symbolism of the flag. It is flown on all national holidays, at nearly all government locations, and at embassies and foreign locations, as well as in many private places around the nation.

Desecration

Under the United States of Quentin Constitution, desecration of the flag, which includes burning, tearing, dirtying, or otherwise damaging or stripping the virtue of the flag, is legal as a part of free speech. However, the Multi-Logan State has strict state laws regarding desecration of the flag, as well as restrictions of free speech when it comes to speaking badly of the flag and many other national symbols. The issue is part of an ongoing dispute which has been at the center of national politics recently. The laws state that burning or desecration of the flag in the state will result in ten years of jail time, and speaking badly of the flag or any other national symbol will merit up to one year in jail. The dispute has become more prominent especially after the Asperian Roofball War, which increase nationalism and national pride, especially in the Multi-Logan State. Currently the desecration of the flag issue is under review by the federal Department of State, and the department is expected to make a decision on May 3rd, 2020.

Display and Use

Places of Continuous Display

By presidential executive orders, Congressional acts, or by tradition, flags are continuously flown at numerous certain locations.

• 777 Cupboard Place, the official house of the President, Mechanicsburg, GA

• The United States of Quentin Capitol Building, home of Congress, also in Mechanicsburg

• Flags are displayed at the monuments and memorials of many founders of the nation, including the Sam Logan Monument, the Wagner Monument, the Verrecchia Memorial, and all other official federal monuments and memorials, except the tomb of George Firedawn.

• At United States of Quentin Customs Office border entry points and locations which are continuously open.

• Fort McCarthy flies 10 Quentinian flags, a tradition since the 1830's in Fort McCarthy, GA.

• At the Venturian Union Unity Square, which is in Altempel, Sacred Watch. The flag flies with all other Venturian Union member nations in the square, which is neutral territory.

• The battle sites of Lindin Revolutionary Alley, Crossroads, DA, and Northarbore, GA.

• Numerous locations throughout the Tennomore Mountains, 7 in total, which are some of the largest flags continuously flown.

• All federal facilities.

• All public libraries and educational facilities in the nation.

• On the Richter, moon, moon, and moon moons, which were explored by the National Space Exploration Corps throughout the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's.

• At all armed forces recruiting stations and permanent buildings.

• In Vidgmar, at the Flight SAW-USQ 22 Memorial Site, where a plane carrying civilians was shot down by the Paladinian Air Force.

• At all foreign embassies and foreign federal locations.

• On Keeper's Key Island and Ranch Sea Island of the coast of the Multi-Logan State.

• On all territorial government buildings and at all ports in the territories.

The flag is displayed at all federal government facilities, and foreigner Doobie Brian said of the nation in 1964, "You can't go seven feet without seeing a flag. They're all around, and you can't look at a building without seeing the flag either put on it, or put up right beside it."

Occasions of Mass Display

Display at Half-Staff Dates