The blue field represents the Chattahoochee River and the two white stars, the two counties in Atlanta (Fulton, DeKalb) and the twelve council districts of Atlanta (the points of the stars). The white and red stripes represent important moments in history. The first white stripe represents the Building of the Western Atlantic Railroad giving rise to the settlement that became Atlanta. The second white stripe is the Cotton States and International Expo which was responsible for the growth and development of Atlanta. The First red stripe is for the Great Fire of Atlanta in 1917 and the second honors those killed in the Atlanta Race Riots and Atlanta’s subsequent role in the Civil Rights Movement. The stripes are placed vertically to make them stand out from other States and cities adopting the horizontal orientation and is the inspiration for the flags name.