Our History through Flags
Kengla's History Through Flags
1951: Kengla Flag Co. opened the first and only brick and mortar flag shop in Washington, DC, flying its very first open sign.
1961: We moved into 4708 Wisconsin Avenue, NW building in the Tenleytown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
1963: Flags flew at half staff for 30 days following the JKF assassination on November 22.
1969: Thefirst flag was planted on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission. It was an Annin flag that was planted, and we sell the same style of flag today.
1969: We procured 8 small "National Aeronautics and Space Council" flags for the Apollo 12 mission on November 14, 1969.
1971: Judi joined the Kengla team.
1978: The Pride Flag was commissioned by Harvey Milk. Artist, Gilbert Baker created the iconic rainbow flag to represent sex, life, healing, sunlight, nature, art, harmony, and spirit.
1989: Fall of the Berlin wall. A lot of flags were on the precipice of change.
1991: The Soviet Union fell ushering in the rise of new sovereignties and flags!
2001: The iconic photo of Raising the flag at Ground Zero was taken. An American flag brought rescue workers together on the morning of September 12, 2001. On this day, the line was out the door and down the sidewalk to buy flags at Kengla. We completely sold out of American flags. It’s a level of Patriotism that we’re honored to have experienced in our lifetime.
2012: Kengla Flag Co. moved the shop to Suite 100 on the main level. We were excited for the new view.
2015: Brian and Brittany purchased Kengla Flag Co. and took over ownership with their three boys.
2015: Later that year, Kengla provided flags to the National Shrine for Pope Francis’ visit to D.C.
2015: The Charleston, SC church massacre ushered in change and recognition of racial injustice with flags. Kengla officially discontinued the sale of Confederate flags and will sell them again.
2016: This election year brought a fever in the country we had never seen before. We sold flags for Hillary Clinton & Bernie Sanders rallies.
2018: President George H.W. Bush passed away. We were honored to provide flags and bunting for the NBC 4 news coverage including Lester Holt, Savannah Guthrie & other anchors and guests.
2020: COVID-19 forced most of our business online as we all started flying quarantine flags.
2021: Kengla celebrated 70 years in business and as the only brick and mortar flag store in D.C.
2022: Kengla closed its brick and mortar store and moved 100% online.