The first red star was placed on the flag in 1939 to commemorate the construction of Fort Dearborn at present day Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive . The six points of this star signify transportation, labor, commerce, finance, populousness and salubrity.

The second red star was placed on the flag to commemorate the Chicago Fire of 1871 that raged from Oct. 8-10. The six points of this star signify religion, education, aesthetics, justice, beneficence and civic pride.

The third red star was placed on the flag to commemorate the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 held in Jefferson Park . We'll forget about that whole devil-in-the-white-city thing, OK? The six points of this star signify the occupant of the area in different time periods: France in 1693, Great Britain in 1763, Virginia in 1778, Northwest Territory in 1798, Indian Territory in 1802 and Illinois ' statehood in 1818.

The fourth red star was placed on the flag in 1933 to commemorate the Century of Progress Exposition in 1933. The six points of this star signify the world's third-largest city, the city's Latin motto, the “I will” motto, the great central market, the wonder city and the convention city.

When the flag is hung from windows or over a street, it may be either pointed or notched.

The standard flag needs to be made of silk and fringed with gold.

The flag should never be displayed in any position that indicates superiority over the flag of the United States .

Despite the punk scene of Chicago telling us otherwise, code 1-8-90 of the city's municipal code states “ It shall be unlawful for any person to use the municipal flag, standard, pennant, or badge, or any imitation or design thereof, except for the usual and customary purposes of decoration or display. No person shall print or stamp thereon or cause to be displayed thereon any letter, word, Iegend or device not herein provided for. Any person violating this section be fined not less than $5.00 nor more than $25.00 for each offense.” That's a mouthful.

The design of Chicago's flag consists of three white stripes interrupted by two blue stripes with four six-pointed red stars on the center white stripe.

The top white stripe represents the North Side, the center white stripe represents the West Side and the bottom white stripe represents the South Side.

The top blue stripe marks Lake Michigan , the north branch of the Chicago River and the bottom blue stripe marks the south branch and the great canal.