Flag of Byrd's Second Antarctic Expedition - Black Coffee Mug

Flag of Byrd's Second Antarctic Expedition The flag of Byrd's Second Antarctic Expedition, also known as the "American Antarctic Service Expedition Flag," was a distinctive banner used during the 1933-1935 exploration led by American polar explorer Richard Evelyn Byrd. This expedition aimed to establish and maintain an uninterrupted year-round presence on the Antarctic continent, primarily at its Marie Byrd Land region. The flag design incorporated several symbolic elements. It featured a large white circle representing the North Pole at the center, with a blue polar star in the middle. Surrounding this were 45 smaller stars to represent the 48 contiguous U.S. states (Alaska and Hawaii joined the union after the expedition). A red stripe running across the bottom of the flag represented the United States' Antarctic claims, while the white background symbolized the vastness and purity of Antarctica. The flag served as a powerful visual representation of U.S. presence and commitment to Antarctic exploration during this critical period in human understanding of Earth's polar regions. Today, it remains an enduring emblem of Byrd's Second Antarctic Expedition and the nation's early engagement with Antarctica.