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Group marks Philly flag’s 125th anniversary

Henry Christopher McCook designed the original coat of arms.

Brenda Exon, right, leads a dance to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the first city flag in America – the Philadelphia Maneto flag. The event was at the University Square Complex at 3901 Market Street.
Brenda Exon, right, leads a dance to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the first city flag in America – the Philadelphia Maneto flag. The event was at the University Square Complex at 3901 Market Street.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer

Philadelphians don’t let a chance to celebrate slip by.

A group recently gathered outside the University Square complex on 3901 Market St. to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the city flag, which was the first municipal banner in America.

The yellow and blue flag, adorned with the city seal, commemorates the original Swedish colonization of the city. The coat of arms was designed by Henry Christopher McCook and adopted by City Council in 1895.

McCook was the pastor of Seventh Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. He was also quirky: He liked to study the behavior of ants and spiders, and illustrated children’s books on insects.