One particular variation originated in Italy around 45 years ago. Recently it was effectively utilized in Italian society as a military application. Another version, used predominately in a very large US city portrays a different concept although it looks exactly the same. What is it, which US city is it most likely to be witnessed, and why did it go from eight bits to seven bits in the late seventies?

lanfranco

I think this is the rainbow flag, used since 1961 as a symbol of peace in Italy (and elsewhere) and as a symbol of gay pride in the U.S. -- especially in San Francisco. At one point in the U.S., one of the stripes was hot pink, but fabric in that color was scarce, so the number of stripes went from eight to seven. The gay pride flag now has six stripes, the peace flag seven: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_flag Sep 15 06, 12:13 PM

peasypod

Yes indeedy Frankiebabe, and I've seen a few of those draping across the terraces in Italy, quite a sight. I even saw one hiding amongst the colours displayed in Sienna for the Palio Race a few years ago. Sep 15 06, 4:33 PM

peasypod

Sheeeesh. This is one of those times I wish I could edit annoying typos. Sep 15 06, 4:34 PM

lanfranco

Oh, don't worry about it; my latest typos have been really embarrassing. However, it's true, the PACE flag is becoming very common and it looks fabulously colorful at the Palio and various other Italian events. Sep 15 06, 5:39 PM