Detroit's Massive American Flag Quickly Unfurled, Then Quickly Vanished
In a symbolic gesture to honor the city's rich history and its military personnel, a massive 141-by-85-foot American flag was unveiled in downtown Detroit just one day after being installed. However, the grand gesture was short-lived as the wind proved too much for the giant banner.
Bedrock, the company behind the redevelopment of the Hudson’s site, removed the flag on Thursday due to the strong winds, which were reportedly at a moderate 10-20 mph. According to a company spokeswoman, the decision was made out of concern for safety and potential damage to the flag.
Although the flag's brief stay in Detroit may seem disappointing, there is no need to worry that it will never be seen again. The massive banner will make its return when the wind dies down, marking a welcome respite from the gusts.
Detroit has long been associated with this symbol of patriotism and tradition, dating back to 1923 when the original J.L. Hudson's building first unfurled what was then the largest American flag in the world. The giant banner became an annual fixture for Armistice Day (now known as Veterans Day), serving as a celebration of the city's military heritage.
This latest iteration is not only large but also believed to be the largest hanging U.S. flag in the country, measuring 141 feet long and 85 feet wide. Once reinstalled, it will proudly overlook Woodward Avenue, marking an iconic symbol for Detroiters to cherish.
The story highlights how this massive American flag serves as a reminder of Detroit's rich history, its commitment to patriotism, and the enduring impact that such gestures have on the community.
In a symbolic gesture to honor the city's rich history and its military personnel, a massive 141-by-85-foot American flag was unveiled in downtown Detroit just one day after being installed. However, the grand gesture was short-lived as the wind proved too much for the giant banner.
Bedrock, the company behind the redevelopment of the Hudson’s site, removed the flag on Thursday due to the strong winds, which were reportedly at a moderate 10-20 mph. According to a company spokeswoman, the decision was made out of concern for safety and potential damage to the flag.
Although the flag's brief stay in Detroit may seem disappointing, there is no need to worry that it will never be seen again. The massive banner will make its return when the wind dies down, marking a welcome respite from the gusts.
Detroit has long been associated with this symbol of patriotism and tradition, dating back to 1923 when the original J.L. Hudson's building first unfurled what was then the largest American flag in the world. The giant banner became an annual fixture for Armistice Day (now known as Veterans Day), serving as a celebration of the city's military heritage.
This latest iteration is not only large but also believed to be the largest hanging U.S. flag in the country, measuring 141 feet long and 85 feet wide. Once reinstalled, it will proudly overlook Woodward Avenue, marking an iconic symbol for Detroiters to cherish.
The story highlights how this massive American flag serves as a reminder of Detroit's rich history, its commitment to patriotism, and the enduring impact that such gestures have on the community.
... i mean, i love a good DIY project, but sometimes you gotta know when to fold 'em 
... anywayz, i think its super cool that detroit is gettin all patriotic and whatnot 
... i've been thinkin of makin my own little american flag outta an old t-shirt and some twine 
... maybe ill post a vid on instagram of me doin it 
... anyone got any tips on how to make it extra special? 
. I think this raises an interesting question about the relationship between artifice and nature - how can we balance our desire for spectacle with the unpredictability of the environment? On a more positive note, it's heartening to see Detroit reclaiming its role as a symbol of patriotism and tradition 
. The fact that the flag will make its return when the winds subside is a testament to resilience and adaptability 
. I think it's a shame it didn't stay up longer but I guess safety first is a good thing 
. Still, can't wait to see it back up when the weather calms down. It's awesome that Detroit gets to keep its giant flag as a symbol of patriotism and history 
USA. Detroit's history is so cool, and I love how they're keeping that spirit alive 
. I guess the winds in Detroit can be pretty fierce, huh? Anyway, I'm just glad they're planning to put it back up when the weather improves. It's really cool to think about how that giant flag has been a part of Detroit's history for so long... like, whoa 
. And can we talk about how epic it is going to look when it's finally back up? 
. But at the same time, safety first, right? Can't have a giant flag just flying around in the wind, that's just asking for trouble 
.
. The fact that it's the largest U.S. flag out there is pretty cool, I guess 
I mean, i get it, safety first, but still... 141x85 ft is a big deal! what's next? gonna be some giant inflatable unicorn or something? 
i mean, who thought it was a good idea to put up a huge flag in the middle of a windy city anyway? it's just gonna get destroyed anyway 
. and the city's gotta worry about it being damaged? 
! I mean, I get it, safety first, but can't we just hold onto it for a sec? 
. I guess I'll have to wait till the wind dies down and they put it back up 
. But what I'd love to see is a video of the whole thing getting blown down - it would be like something out of a movie! 
! I mean, can't we just enjoy it for a bit before the wind blows it away? 
i was literally stoked to see that giant american flag in detroit for like 5 sec tho lol it did seem pretty intense to just fly away though idk how they planned for that but idc its still super cool that detroit is getting a new one when the winds die down