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Australian flag recovered from the ruins of the World Trade Center, New York, after September 11, 2001

Object type
Australian flags

Object number
2008.0011.0001

Description
Synthetic cloth Australian national flag with blue background. The Union Jack is in the top left corner, the seven-pointed Commonwealth star is below it, and the five-star configuration of the Southern Cross constellation is to the right. The flag is stained, torn, amd marked by burns and with dirt.

Collection name
World Trade Center Australian Flag collection

Collection statement of significance
The collection consists of an Australian flag measuring approximately 1200mm by 1780mm. It is intact but crumpled with minor tears and soiled with debris. The flag was flown at Australian ceremonial occasions at the World Trade Center in New York prior to September 2001.

The flag survived the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York on 11 September 2001. It was one of thousands of objects excavated from the ruins of the World Trade Center site in the months following the tragedy. While the flag may have been in one of the twin towers, it is more likely that it comes from the hotel in the World Trade Center 3 building that once stood on the plaza between the towers. This building was largely destroyed by falling debris from the two towers. The New York Police Department presented the flag to Australia's Consul-General in New York, who collected it on behalf of the Australian people.

Associated organisation
New York Police Department

Associated organisation
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Place of event
New York, United States of America
The flag was excavated from the site of the World Trade Center, New York, in the months after the 11 September, 2001 terrorist attacks

Associated place
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Date of event
11/09/2001

Materials
Synthetic cloth, Asbestos

Dimensions
Width: 1780mm
Height: 1200mm
Depth: 10mm

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