Midwinter Day is nearly upon us. This oldest Antarctic holiday has been observed for more than 100 years, starting with Robert Falcon Scott and the crew of the Discovery Expedition. And since that day, flags have been a central part of those celebrations.
During the first "mid-winter festival" of 1902, sledge flags hung all around the celebratory meal. These sledge flags were later replaced by national flags, a tradition that still continues in some places today. Marker and trail flags are also sometimes used. Take a look at the gallery below to see flags in Midwinter celebrations across the decades. Click the images to visit source links.
Although Midwinter Day is meant for personnel wintering over in Antarctica, people across the world also observe it as a day to celebrate the continent. Former "winter-overers" and other Antarctic enthusiasts get involved by posting Antarctic memories on social media, gathering with friends and colleagues from the ice, and flying flags of their own.
True South flies outside a home in Texas.