Gerard Slevin (born November 1, 1919) was born in Cork, Ireland. Slevin was assistant to Edward McLysaght, the Chief Herald of Ireland, from 1944 to 1954, at which time he succeeded McLysaght. He held this position for 27 years until he retired in 1981. November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... 1919 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Cork (Corcaigh in Irish) is the second city of the Republic of Ireland. ... Edward McLysaght (November 6, 1887 - March 4, 1986) was elected to the Senate of the Irish Free State in 1922 and was appointed Inspector for the Irish Manuscripts Commission in 1938. ... The office of the Chief Herald of Ireland, (sometimes, though incorrectly, called the Office of Arms) is the Republic of Irelands authority on all heraldic matters relating to Ireland and is located at the National Library of Ireland. ... 1944 was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1954 was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1981 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Slevin also designed the European flag, a circle of 12 golden stars on a deep blue background, and in recognition of this was made a member of the Academie Internationale d'Heraldique. 'This achievement received scant recognition in Ireland, although it was widely acclaimed in heraldic circles in Europe...' Irish Times letters page. European flag, ratio 2:3 Proportions of the European flag The European flag consists of a circle of twelve golden stars on a blue background. ... The International Academy Of Heraldry (Academie Internationale dHeraldique) was founded in 1949, in order to group specialists in heraldry from around the world. ...