Blog

Emma Kitchin, of Newland, N.C., is the recipient of the Spring 2021 Beacon® Scholarship for Rural America, a scholarship that was introduced by Carrot-Top Industries in 2018. We received applications from states across the country, including New Jersey, Tennessee, Michigan, Arizona and California. Kitchin is a shining example of community patriotism that continues to thrive in rural towns today.

Every year on February 23, we recall the anniversary of U.S. military service members raising the American flag on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II. The U.S. military sought occupation of Iwo Jima because it was strategically located about 750 miles southeast of the main island of Japan and could be used as an aircraft base for launching air raids on Japan’s main island.

As Americans, we are inherently creatures of community and celebration. We cling tightly to holidays when we can gather with family and friends and experience the joy of togetherness. Yet, when the pandemic struck our country in Spring 2020, the future of many of our beloved holiday traditions became uncertain. The solution? American ingenuity.

The day that was originally set aside to honor our nation’s first president George Washington has now become a federal holiday that honors Washington, Lincoln and, some might say, all of America’s historical leaders. The history of the transition from Washington’s Birthday to Presidents Day spans more than 200 years. Learn how Presidents Day came to be.

The History Behind the California Flag Design

Our team of Customer Care Professionals takes pride in providing exceptional service to all of our customers. We realize there is more to good customer service than just skill and expertise. We strive to get to know each of you, so we can find the best solutions for your patriotic and customized product needs. With over 70 years of total experience in our Customer Care Center, our knowledge and training allow us to help you find the perfect products for your unique needs. Over the years, we have answered many questions, but there are some questions that come up time and time again. Here are the most common questions asked by our customers:

Much like the preventative health care visits you make to your family physician or dentist, your flag display requires routine “health checks” to ensure that it is always in top flag-flying condition. At a minimum, a quarterly flag display “check-up” will help you to identify and correct any emerging issues. With harsh winter weather already upon us, now is the perfect time to evaluate the condition of your flag display. Doing so is as easy as 1-2-3:

The History Behind the Georgia Flag Design

How much do you know about the flag design for each state in America? Test your knowledge with a 15 question quiz or use our State Flags page to help you out. Click on the image below to start the quiz.

As part of our Carrot-Top Cares program, we are always looking for ways to help service members and veterans across America throughout the year. For the holidays, Carrot-Top Industries’ employees unanimously agreed to work with Soldiers’ Angels through donations to their Holiday Stockings for Heroes program.

Each year on either the second or the third Saturday of December, hundreds of volunteers and businesses partner to place wreaths on veterans’ graves throughout the nation. Known as “Wreaths Across America Day,” this year’s event will be held on December 19th at 2,400 cemeteries. It has become an annual tradition of remembering our nation's fallen heroes during the holiday season.

The History Behind the Texas Flag Design

For more than 200 years, Americans have celebrated the Inauguration Day ceremonies for both the President-elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States. Inauguration Day is a federal holiday that occurs every four years on January 20, or on January 21 if January 20 falls on a Sunday. The next U.S. Inauguration Day will occur on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. On that day, the U.S. will celebrate its 59th inaugural ceremonies.

The state of Mississippi voted in “The New Magnolia” flag design on November 3, 2020, and the new Mississippi flag is available to pre-order today. The new flag will replace the old flag design which was in use for 126 years and had the Confederate battle emblem on it. The new Mississippi flag was designed by Rocky Vaughan, with design support provided by Sue Anna Joe, Kara Giles and Dominique Pugh. "The New Magnolia" flag is anchored in the center field by a clean and modern magnolia blossom, a symbol long-used to represent Mississippi and the hospitality of its citizens. The magnolia represents Mississippi’s sense of hope and rebirth, as it often blooms more than once and has a long blooming season. The new design is sleek and updated to represent the forward progression of Mississippi.

Each year on December 7, Americans observe National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day to honor the 2,400 U.S. military service members and civilians who died during the Imperial Japanese Navy and Air Force’s attack on Pearl Harbor. In addition to the casualties incurred during the Pearl Harbor attack, more than 1,000 Americans were injured that day.

The History Behind the N.C. Flag Design

October is a special month for the U.S. Navy. Both the Navy’s Birthday (Oct. 13) and Navy Day (Oct. 27) are both celebrated in October and are also recognized as U.S. flag flying days. It is tradition for Americans to fly their U.S. flags at full staff on these two special days. Are you wondering why there are two Navy-themed celebrations during the same month? Read on and allow history to reveal the answers.

1980. Mount St. Helen erupted, CNN broadcast for the first time, the Rubik’s Cube was introduced and the U.S. defeated the Soviet Union in ice hockey, better known as the“Miracle on Ice.” While these 1980 memorable events took place, our founder Dwight Morris had other plans as he began making his biggest dream a reality. He created Carrot-Top Industries out of his Illinois home. Dwight stepped confidently into the flag industry with a passion to build a company dedicated to providing customers with expert customer service and high-quality patriotic and custom products. 40 years later and Carrot-Top Industries is still growing and thriving with the leadership of Liz Morris, Dwight's daughter.