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All the United States Pennsylvania Hermitage Avenue of 444 Flags

Avenue of 444 Flags

An American flag was erected for every day that passed during the Iranian Hostage Crisis.

Hermitage, Pennsylvania

Added By
Thomas Harper
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Eternal Flame in the Avenue of Flags   Thomas Harper
Canada’s Flag also Flies on the Avenue   Thomas Harper
Avenue of 444 Flags   Thomas Harper
Avenue of 444 Flags   Thomas Harper
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About

In 1981, as the Iranian Hostage Crisis reached its 100th day, the owner of Hillcrest Memorial Park in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, Thomas Flynn, planned a tribute to the 52 Americans being held. A new flagpole waving the United States flag would be raised each day until the hostages were freed. 

Like many other Americans, Flynn had watched the United States flag burned daily on the news, from scenes outside the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. So he planned a newsworthy story of his own. He would raise a flag for every day the crisis continued.  

Using poles donated by local pipe company Wheatland Tube, and the labor from a local steelworkers union, 100 flags were raised in the initial ceremony. New poles and flags would continue to be raised until the crisis ended on January 20th, 1981. At the end, there were 444 flags flying above the entry to the park. 

The poles still stand and flags still fly along the Avenue of 444 Flags leading into the park. Flags of the U.S. States and armed services also fly above the avenue, as well as Canada's flag, acknowledging its role in the successful rescue of the hostages. An eternal flame is lit for the eight soldiers who died in the initial rescue attempt. Over 18,000 flags have flown over the avenue since the crisis occurred over 30 years ago.

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Flags History Military History Memorials Military

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Added By

thomasharper

Edited By

PushingUpDaisies

  • PushingUpDaisies

Published

May 17, 2017

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Sources
  • http://www.avenueofflags.com/avenue-of-hope-pride-and-patriotism/
  • http://www.visitmercercountypa.com/Article-Avenue-of-444-Flags.htm
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Caper
Avenue of 444 Flags
2619 East State Street
Hermitage, Pennsylvania
United States
41.23337, -80.461684
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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

United States

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Stories 28

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

United States

Places 417
Stories 28

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