The Travel Diary of the National Geographic Society's Flag

The National Geographic Society’s flag has been a symbol of the power of exploration for over a century. In 1903, magazine editor Gilbert H. Grosvenor and his wife, Elsie, determined that the soon-to-be legendary organization needed a symbol that was simple and instantly recognizable. Elsie created the signature design to represent the sky, earth and sea, and since its creation, the flag has been on historic adventures and expeditions to the top of Mount Everest, to the depths of the ocean and even to the moon with Neil Armstrong.

The flag represents the very essence of the Society’s mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world — as a result, it’s been there for moments of discovery and daring adventures that have changed the world for the better, inspiring the next generation of Explorers. That’s why it’s been on a journey around the world for the past two years before ultimately calling the National Geographic Museum of Exploration (MOE) home this past month.

This flag is well-traveled and has some incredible stories to share from visiting with National Geographic Explorers, so we're giving you a behind-the-scenes look at its itinerary.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

National Geographic Explorer, storyteller and geographic Victoria Herrmann first picked up the flag from Base Camp, the National Geographic Society’s headquarters, while the museum was still actively under construction. From there, she brought it to Angkor Wat, Cambodia, where she is partnering with the local community to protect their cultural heritage from the impact of climate change through science and local adaptation.

This expedition is part of her ongoing work leading the global initiative called “Preserving Legacies,” which has partnered with the National Geographic Society to preserve the cultural history and heritage sites in over forty countries by supporting local change makers with training, tools and connections they need to equitably adapt what their communities cherish most.

We can’t wait for you to learn more about Victoria’s incredible climate policy work in Rolex Explorers Landing when you visit. Plus, be sure to keep an eye out for an event featuring Victoria — she’s been known to stop by the museum for a Pop-Up Talk or Drinks with an Explorer from time to time.

Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina

National Geographic Explorer, penguin researcher and conservationist Pablo “Popi” Garcia Borboroglu has dedicated his life to protecting penguins. He founded the Global Penguin Society to help the 19 different species of penguins around the world, including in his home country of Argentina. His work has contributed to the protection of more than 32 million acres of penguin habitat around the world, benefiting at least 3.5 million penguins.

In 2021, a rancher with a bulldozer destroyed 22,000 square feet of a penguin colony located in a UNESCO biosphere reserve in Patagonia Azul, or Blue Patagonia, This means that part of a colony called an internationally recognized protected territory home, and their home was destroyed while some of the penguins were still actively nesting with chicks.

Popi and fellow conservationists led the charge to stand up for these penguins and their home through legal action, which resulted in the first ever oral trial for an environmental legal case. The rancher was found guilty by all three charges — a groundbreaking victory for penguins and environmental justice, both in Argentina and around the world. As a result, the governor of the province expanded the protected area to 1,600 hectares, or around 4,000 acres, protecting now 360,000 adult penguins.

Popi’s work teaches us that penguins are not only cute, beloved creatures — they’re also powerful indicators of the ocean’s health. You can learn more about these unique creatures in the Courtyard, where we feature statues of an Emperor penguin with her chick, and you can rep Popi’s favorite animal with some of our signature Emperor penguin merch from the Museum Shop. You also can learn more about his work in the Purpose exhibit within Rolex Explorer Landing.

San Francisco, California, USA

The flag might be an east coaster at heart, but it made a stop to see National Geographic Explorer, urban ecologist and professor Chris Schell on the west coast before heading home.

As an urban ecologist, Chris researches the wild world of concrete jungles, studying animals like raccoons and coyotes to see what they can teach us about our neighborhoods — and ourselves. Through his research, we can see that urban animals live vastly different lives within and across cities. These differences arise from factors that include historical, unjust policies like redlining and racial zoning, which have a profound impact on the ecology, health and survival of our animal neighbors, too.

He loves seeing how these stories and teachings inspire wonder and curiosity in his students and people across the globe, encouraging everyone to reconnect with each other and the natural world around us — which, according to Chris, is the heart behind ecology.

If you want to learn more about what the nature in your own backyard can teach you about your community, hear Chris speak during our National Geographic Live show, “Uncovering Our Concrete Jungle,” as it tours across the country.

The Museum of Exploration, Washington, D.C., USA

We are so proud of this flag’s journey — not just the miles it traveled, but the hearts it inspired as it went. We are excited for it to call the MOE home, and for the spirit of the flag and what it symbolizes to live on daily at the museum. Because, after all, we, too, are here to inspire the next generation of everyday explorers.

To learn more about the flag’s journey from National Geographic Explorers themselves, check out its journey on social media.