This is Iowa State Flag Day, a day that’s being celebrated statewide and especially in Knoxville, which is considered the birthplace of the state flag. Brian Stickel, executive director of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, says this day is all about honoring Iowa, its people and all the flag represents.This day was designated in 1998 to celebrate the state flag. Schools, civic groups, governmental departments and citizens are to show off the flag today and reflect on the heritage of the banner. Stickel says commemorative events are planned in Knoxville, starting at noon.A color guard will carry the flag through town, after which a local singer will sing the “Iowa State Flag Song” which has five verses, then the Knoxville High School jazz band will play the national anthem. Stickel says the flag was designed by a Knoxville woman to identify Iowa military units at home and abroad as they headed off to fight in the Great War, what’s known now as World War One.Dixie Cornell Gebhardt, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, designed the flag, submitted it to the state and it was approved in 1917 by then-Governor William Harding.
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