The flags of the counties of the United States of America exhibit a wide variety of regional influences and local histories, as well as widely different styles and design principles. For example, some Floridian and Alabamian municipality flags feature a saltire, due to saltires being used on their state flags. Some Maryland county flags feature the coat of arms of the Calvert family, as it is featured on the Maryland state flag, and due to the Calvert family's prominence in Maryland history. Many counties went decades without a flag, until a certain event, such as a local sesquicentennial or the American bicentennial, spurred the creation of a flag. Frederick County, Maryland is one example, in 1976, it hosted a contest, asking the public to submit their designs to a commission. A panel th