People have used flags for over 4,000 years. The first flags were metal or wooden poles. About 2,000 years ago people added pieces of fabric or material for decoration. These looked more like the flags we know today.

A flag is a piece of coloured fabric or material that is used as a symbol, or for sending a signal. Some flags are used only for decoration and others - for giving information. Today, every country in the world has a flag. Governments change, and so do their flags. Every state in the United States, as well as various clubs and organizations have their own flags, too. The five circles of the Olympic flag represent people from five continents in friendly competition. In the flag of the United Nations the olive branches surrounding the world mean peace.

Flags include symbols that are used to show ideas which, otherwise, take many words. Flags are used for wars or for the celebration of special events. On sad occasions, flags are flown halfway down to honour the dead.

Flags come in many different sizes, shapes and colours. Sometimes people add an interesting decoration at the tip of the flag pole. Years ago, flags were made by hand - by sewing pieces of fabric together. Today, flags are usually printed in long rolls. Then they are run through a machine which prints a pattern over and over again on the fabric. The fabric is washed, dried and then cut into separate flags.

The white flag is the international sign for surrender. "White Flags" are not made up in advance. They are usually made out of any materials available when they have to be used.

Another well-known flag is the "Jolly Roger", used by pirates to frighten people. These flags usually had a black background, which stood for "no mercy will be shown to those who resist."