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The First Rainbow Flag

6/25/202615 min

June 25, 1978. The rainbow flag is flown for the first time in the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade.

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First 90 seconds
  1. Lindsay Graham· Host0:00

    History Daily is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever think about switching insurance companies to see if you could save some cash? Progressive makes it easy. Just drop in some details about yourself and see if you're eligible to save money when you bundle your home and auto policies. The process only takes minutes, and it could mean hundreds more in your pocket. So visit progressive.com after this episode to see if you could save. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states. [instrumental music plays] It's the morning of June 25th, 1978 at United Nations Plaza in the heart of San Francisco. Gilbert Baker opens the back of his van and then climbs inside. A 27-year-old artist and activist, Gilbert has made plenty of political banners in his time, but nothing as big as this. Tucking his long, dark hair behind his ears, he grabs hold of a huge hand-dyed flag that's folded up in the corner of the van. With a hefty pull, Gilbert drags the fabric to the edge of the vehicle, where other volunteers are waiting to help lift it from the van. It's Gay Freedom Day in San Francisco, with an annual parade that brings the city's queer community into the streets to celebrate who they are. And this year, Gilbert and a team of other artists have been tasked with creating a new symbol to mark the occasion. Now they're ready to present it to the world.

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