World Vexillology Day commemorates the debut of Flag Bulletin (October 1961), the world’s first periodical dedicated solely to vexillology.
There is no special flag for this day – just go out and fly flags!
Flying high since 1971, we are an independent UK-based membership charity with a global outlook. With a twice-yearly magazine and conferences, and a growing digital library, we share our knowledge and love of flags and flag flying (vexillology). Beginner or expert – all are welcome. JOIN TODAY!
World Vexillology Day commemorates the debut of Flag Bulletin (October 1961), the world’s first periodical dedicated solely to vexillology.
There is no special flag for this day – just go out and fly flags!
St Helena’s national day commemorates the island’s discovery in 1502 by Galician navigator João da Nova, then serving the King of Portugal.
Anchoring in the present James Bay, da Nova named the island ‘Santa Helena’ after St Helena of Constantinople, whose feast according to the Orthodox Church falls on 21 May.
Norfolk Day takes place annually on 27 July.
Local media initiated the day, first celebrated in 2018.
Shropshire Day takes place annually on 23 February, the feast of St Milburga.
Milburga (d.715) was a Mercian princess and the abbess of Wenlock Priory.
In the eleventh century, her reputation as a miracle worker turned Much Wenlock into a place of pilgrimage.
Visitors flocked to St Milburga’s Well seeking cures for their ailments.
The first Cheshire Day took place in 2021.
It commemorates the date when King Edward I, who was also Earl of Chester, reconfirmed a charter of liberties for the county.
Gloucestershire Day was first celebrated in 2020.
Oxfordshire Day takes place on 19 October, the principal feast day of St Frideswide (c.650–19 October 727).
Frideswide is the patron saint both of the city of Oxford and of the University of Oxford.
She was an English princess and abbess, who by legend founded a monastery later incorporated into Christ Church, Oxford.
World AIDS Day takes place annually on 1 December. It is an international day first held in 1988 and dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic and mourning those who have died of the disease.
World AIDS Day is an official flag flying day in Scotland but not in the rest of the UK.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/flag-flying-on-government-buildings/
The International Transgender Day of Remembrance honours those murdered as a result of transphobia.
It is an official flag flying day in Scotland but not in the rest of the UK.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/flag-flying-on-government-buildings/
Armed Forces Day takes place each year on the last Saturday in June.
It is an official flag flying day in Scotland.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/flag-flying-on-government-buildings/
The UK government does not designate it as an official flag flying day in the rest of the UK.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/designated-days-for-union-flag-flying
However the Senedd Cymru flies the Armed Forces Day flag on 24 June and throughout the preceding week.
https://senedd.wales/media/hl5dtuct/foi-574-final-redacted-response-saes.pdf
Most flag nerds have their niche within our niche, eg African flags, regal flags, or military flags.
What’s your niche?
Our spring conference is in May!
📅 Sat 18 May 2024
🏘️ The Library Room of Conway Hall, London
Confirmed speakers:
Graham Bartram, Geoff Parsons, Brian Cham
Get your ticket today!
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The Flag Institute is an adviser to the UK Parliamentary Flags & Heraldry Committee.
The Flag Institute is an active member of FIAV (Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques).
Registered as an incorporated Charity (CIO) in England and Wales (No. 1152496)