The Chilean flag is often referred to in Spanish as la estrella solitaria (the lone star) because of the fact that it bears a single, five-pointed star. The star represents a guide to honor and progress, while the field of blue that surrounds it is meant to symbolize the Chilean sky and the Pacific Ocean. The white and red portions of the flag represent the magnificent snow-covered Andes and the Chilean blood spilled during the fight for independence.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed on this day in 2001, when al-Qaida hijackers seized control of four commercial airliners. The hijackers crashed two planes into the World Trade Center in New York City, one into the Pentagon and the fourth into a field in western Pennsylvania.

The second Chilean flag was adopted after the triumph of Chacabuco on May 28, 1817. It was called la Bandera de la Transición (the Flag of the Transition). La Bandera de la Transición was very similar the first Chilean flag, simply replacing the yellow horizontal stripe with a red one. Juan Gregorio Las Heras is credited with designing it, but the colors themselves originate in the verses of a poet named Alonso de Ercilla. Blue, white and red were also the colors of the French Revolution, which, like the American Revolution, inspired Chileans. However, la Bandera de la Transición was never actually made official and it simply disappeared after about five months.

However, as is often the case, Chile’s flag has undergone a few changes over the years. In fact, the first Chilean flag looked nothing like its modern-day counterpart, as it consisted of three horizontal stripes that were blue, white and yellow respectively. This initial Chilean flag was created during the country’s struggle for independence, when the government of José Miguel Carrrera ordered that it be created. The flag was raised for the first time on July 4, 1812, at a banquet celebrating the independence of the United States. Apparently, the American Revolution had greatly influenced Chileans and motivated them in the struggle for independence.

In addition to lowering flags for the day, Evers has declared Wednesday as a statewide Day of Service and Remembrance "to encourage all Wisconsinites to commit acts of service and give back to local neighbors and communities to honor the lives lost 23 years ago," according to the governor's office. “Each year on this day, we remember the thousands of individuals who lost their lives, pay tribute to the first responders, neighbors, and volunteers, among many others, who responded bravely and at great personal sacrifice, and honor the countless more whose lives were forever changed by this tragedy,” Evers said in news release. “I encourage Wisconsinites to join in honoring this solemn day through service, whether it’s finding ways to give back to our local communities or even through simple acts of kindness to others.”

The Milwaukee Veteran's Affairs office is also hosting several remembrance events Wednesday. From 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., volunteers are invited to help clean headstones and grounds at the Wood National Cemetery, at 5000 W. National Ave. Find more information about the event here, and register to participate here.

For potential volunteer opportunities on Wednesday and beyond, the governor's office suggested looking through the Volunteer Wisconsin website. You can filter posts to find volunteer opportunities that are closest to you, matching your interests, virtual or in-person, among other options.

The gesture, ordered by Gov. Tony Evers, is in remembrance of 9/11 and the thousands of people who died in the terrorist attacks in 2001. Here's what to know about the flags at half-staff and ways to get involved in 9/11 remembrance events across Milwaukee:

"The United States flag flies at half-staff or at half-mast when the nation or a state is in mourning," USA.gov says. "The president, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff."

According to Evers' order, the American flag and the Wisconsin state flag will fly at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations belonging to the state of Wisconsin.

The disappearance of la Bandera de la Transición cleared the way for Chile’s current flag, la estrella solitaria, to be adopted. The flag itself was conceived by a man named José Ignacio Zenteno and designed by Antonio Arcos, although some Chileans claim that Gregorio de Andía y Varela actually drew it up. The flag was made official on Oct. 18, 1817, but it wasn’t until 1854 that the official proportions of each color were set, while the star’s diameter didn’t become official until 1912. Many people consider the Chilean national flag to be one of the world’s most beautiful; it’s even rumored that the Chilean flag actually won a “Most Beautiful National Flag in the World” contest in Belgium.

Along with the rest of the country, flags in Wisconsin are flying at half-staff Wednesday to commemorate the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

The volunteer cleaning will be followed by a memorial ceremony to honor seven local veterans, all buried at Wood National Cemetery, who died in the wars in Iran and Afghanistan after 9/11. The memorial ceremony will run from 1 to 2 p.m. at Unity Chapel, at 5000 W. National Ave.

U.S. flags typically fly at half-staff in the wake of national tragedies or after deaths of government officials, military members or first responders. They also fly at half-staff on Memorial Day and other national days of remembrance, including 9/11.