In final remarks to the media, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stood before two perfectly coiffed flags — the U.S. flag and the Alaska flag, in the ballroom of the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage.
Only there was a tiny problem: The Alaska flag was hung upside down, as seen in the photo above by the media pool photographer for the New York Times.
Generally, when the U.S. flag is flown upside down it’s an indication of “to convey a sign of distress or great danger.” When the Alaska flag is flown upside down, it generally signifies a diplomatic flub.
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Suzanne Downing founded Must Read Alaska and served as its editor for many years. Her prolific writing spans nearly every topic meaningful to Alaskans. Before founding Must Read Alaska, she served as editor of the Juneau Empire and as a speechwriter for Governor Sean Parnell.
