Flags of the U.S. states and territories
The flags of the U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) exhibit a variety of regional influences and local histories, as well as different styles and design principles. Modern U.S. state flags date from the turn of the 20th century, when states considered distinctive symbols for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. Most U.S. state flags were designed and adopted between 1893 and World War I.[1]
The most recently adopted state flag is that of Minnesota, adopted on May 11, 2024, while the most recently adopted territorial flag is that of the Northern Mariana Islands, adopted on July 1, 1985. The flag of the District of Columbia was adopted in 1938. Recent legislations in Massachusetts (2021) and Illinois (2024) have started the process of redesigning their state flag. Maine and Michigan also have plans to redesign their flags in the future, but these have not been confirmed, though Maine has planned to put a flag redesign on the ballot in November of 2024.[2]
Despite a variety of designs, the majority of the states' flags share the same design pattern consisting of the state seal superimposed on a monochrome background, commonly a shade of blue, which remains a source of criticism from vexillologists. According to a 2001 survey by the North American Vexillological Association, New Mexico has the best-designed flag of any U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canadian province, while Georgia's state flag was rated the worst (the latter of which has been changed since the survey was conducted).[3]
Current state flags
[edit]Listed alphabetically with their respective date of adoption.
Flag of Alabama
(February 16, 1895)[4]Flag of Alaska
(May 2, 1927)Flag of Arizona
(February 27, 1917)Flag of Arkansas
(February 28, 2011)Flag of California
(February 3, 1911)Flag of Colorado
(March 31, 1964)Flag of Connecticut
(September 9, 1897)Flag of Delaware
(July 24, 1913)Flag of Florida
(May 21, 1985)Flag of Georgia
(February 19, 2003)Flag of Hawaii
(December 28, 1844)Flag of Idaho
(March 12, 1907)Flag of Illinois
(September 17, 1969)Flag of Indiana
(May 31, 1917)Flag of Iowa
(March 29, 1921)Flag of Kansas
(September 24, 1961)Flag of Kentucky
(June 14, 1962)Flag of Louisiana
(November 22, 2010)[5]Flag of Maine
(February 23, 1909)Flag of Maryland
(March 9, 1904)Flag of Massachusetts
(July 3, 1971)Flag of Michigan
(August 1, 1911)Flag of Minnesota
(May 11, 2024)Flag of Mississippi
(January 11, 2021)[6][7]Flag of Missouri
(March 22, 1913)Flag of Montana
(July 1, 1981)Flag of Nebraska
(July 16, 1963)Flag of Nevada
(July 25, 1991)Flag of New Hampshire
(January 1, 1932)Flag of New Jersey
(May 11, 1896)[a]Flag of New Mexico
(March 15, 1925)Flag of New York
(April 2, 2020)[b]Flag of North Carolina
(June 24, 1991)[8]Flag of North Dakota
(March 11, 1911)Flag of Ohio
(May 9, 1902)Flag of Oklahoma
(November 1, 2006)[9][10]Flag of Oregon (obverse)
(April 15, 1925)[11][12]Flag of Oregon (reverse)[11]
Flag of Pennsylvania
(June 13, 1907)Flag of Rhode Island
(November 1, 1897)Flag of South Carolina
(January 26, 1861)Flag of South Dakota
(November 9, 1992)Flag of Tennessee
(April 17, 1905)Flag of Texas
(January 25, 1839)[c]Flag of Utah
(March 9, 2024)[13]Flag of Vermont
(June 1, 1923)Flag of Virginia
(February 1, 1950)[14]Flag of Washington
(April 1, 1967)[15]Flag of West Virginia
(March 7, 1929)Flag of Wisconsin
(May 1, 1981)[16]Flag of Wyoming
(January 31, 1917)
Current federal district flag
[edit]This is the current flag of the District of Columbia.
Current territory flags
[edit]These are the current official flags of the five permanently inhabited territories of the United States. Dates in parentheses denote when the territory's current flag was adopted by its respective political body.[citation needed]
-
Flag of American Samoa
(April 17, 1960) -
Flag of Guam
(February 9, 1948) -
Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands
(July 1, 1985) -
Flag of Puerto Rico
(July 22, 1952) -
Flag of the U.S. Virgin Islands
(May 17, 1921)
Current state ensigns
[edit]Maine and Massachusetts have ensigns for use at sea.
Commemorative state flags
[edit]Historical state and territory flags
[edit]Former state flags
[edit]-
Flag of Arkansas
(February 26, 1913 – 1923) -
Flag of Arkansas
(1923–1924) -
Flag of Arkansas
(1924 – February 28, 2011) -
Flag of California
(1909 – February 3, 1953) -
Flag of Colorado
(1907 – December 4, 1911) -
Flag of Colorado
(December 4, 1911 – March 31, 1964) -
Flag of Florida
(September 27, 1861 – May 5, 1868) -
Flag of Georgia
(1879–1902) -
Flag of Georgia
(1902–1906) -
Flag of Georgia
(1906–1920) -
Flag of Georgia
(1920 – February 13, 1956) -
Flag of Georgia
(February 13, 1956 – January 31, 2001) -
Flag of Georgia
(January 31, 2001 – February 19, 2003) -
Flag of Idaho
(March 12, 1907 – March 15, 1927) -
Flag of Idaho
(March 15, 1927 – 1957) -
Flag of Illinois
(1915 – September 17, 1969) -
Flag of Indiana
(May 17, 1917 – 1955) -
Flag of Kansas
(1927 – September 24, 1961) -
Flag of Louisiana
(1912 – May 7, 2006) -
Flag of Louisiana
(May 7, 2006 – November 22, 2010) -
Flag of Massachusetts
(reverse, 1908 – 1971) -
Flag of Maine
(1901 – 1909) -
Flag of Minnesota
(January 28, 1893 – August 1957) -
Flag of Minnesota
(reverse, February 28, 1893 – August 1957) -
Flag of Minnesota
(August 1957 – August 1983) -
Flag of Minnesota
(August 1983 – May 11, 2024) -
Flag of Mississippi
(March 30, 1861 – August 22, 1865) -
Flag of Mississippi
(April 23, 1894 – 1996) -
Flag of Mississippi
(1996 – February 7, 2001) -
Flag of Mississippi
(2001 – June 30, 2020) -
Flag of Montana
(1905 – July 1, 1981) -
Flag of New Hampshire
(1909 – November 30, 1931) -
Flag of New York
(1778 – April 2, 1901) -
Flag of New York
(April 2, 1901 – April 2020) -
Flag of Nevada
(July 20, 1905 – 1915) -
Flag of Nevada
(1915 – 1929) -
Flag of Nevada
(1929 – July 25, 1991) -
Flag of North Carolina
(March 16, 1861 – March 1, 1885) -
Flag of North Carolina
(March 1885 – June 24, 1991) -
Flag of Oklahoma
(1911 – 1925) -
Flag of Oklahoma
(April 2, 1925 – 1941) -
Flag of Oklahoma
(1941 – 1988) -
Flag of Oklahoma
(1988 – November 1, 2006) -
Flag of Pennsylvania
(1778 – June 13, 1907) -
Flag of Rhode Island
(1877 – 1882) -
Flag of Rhode Island
(1882 – November 1, 1897) -
Flag of South Carolina
(January 28, 1861 – 1910) -
Flag of South Carolina
(1910 – 1940) -
Flag of South Dakota
(1909 – 1963) -
Flag of South Dakota
(1963 – November 9, 1992) -
Flag of Utah Territory
(1850? – March 1903) -
Flag of Utah
(March 9, 1911 – March 11, 1913) -
Flag of Utah
(March 11, 1913 – May 6, 1922) -
Flag of Utah
(May 6, 1922 – February 16, 2011) -
Flag of Vermont
(1804–1837) -
Flag of Vermont
(1837 – June 1, 1923) -
Flag of Vermont
(1923) -
Flag of Virginia
(1861–1865) -
Flag of Virginia
(1931–1950) -
Flag of Washington
(1923–April 1, 1967) -
Flag of West Virginia
(1905 – 1907) -
Flag of West Virginia
(1907 – March 7, 1929) -
Flag of Wisconsin
(1866–1913) -
Flag of Wisconsin
(1913 – May 1, 1981)
Former territory flags
[edit]-
Former flag of the Panama Canal Zone (1915—1979)
-
Flag of the Insular Government of the Philippine Islands (1919–1936)
-
Flag of the Commonwealth of the Philippines (1936–1946)
-
Former flag of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (1965 – 1980)
-
Former flag of the Northern Mariana Islands (1972 – 1981)
-
Former flag of the Northern Mariana Islands (1981 – 1989)
-
Original flag of Puerto Rico (1895 – 1952)
-
Former flag of Puerto Rico (1952 – 1995)
California Republic
[edit]Republic of Texas
[edit]Pre-Texan Revolution
[edit]-
Flag of the Gutiérrez–Magee Expedition
-
Flag of the Long Expedition (1819 – 1821)
-
Flag of the Long Expedition (1821)
-
Fredonian Rebellion Flag
Texan Revolution
[edit]-
Flag of the Republic of Texas (June 10, 1836 – June 29, 1839)
-
Texas Lone Star and Stripes
-
The Dodson Flag
-
The Alamo Flag
-
The Ensign of the First Texas Navy (1836 – 1838)
Republic of Texas
[edit]-
Flag of the Republic of Texas (1839 – 1879)
Texas Secession
[edit]Native American flags
[edit]Many Native American nations have tribal sovereignty, with jurisdiction over their members and reserved land. Although reservations are on state land, the laws of the state(s) do not necessarily apply.[22] Below are the flags of some of the largest Indian tribes reservations by population and area:
-
Flag of the Choctaw Nation
-
Flag of the Osage Nation
-
Flag of the Northern Arapaho of the Wind River Indian Reservation
-
Flag of the Pine Ridge Reservation
-
Flag of the Blackfeet Nation
Unofficial flags of United States Minor Outlying Islands
[edit]The U.S. national flag is the official flag for all islands, atolls, and reefs composing the United States Minor Outlying Islands. However, unofficial flags are sometimes used to represent some of these insular areas:
See also
[edit]- Flag of the United States
- Flags of governors of the U.S. states
- List of flags of the United States (including county, city and historical flags)
- List of U.S. state, district, and territorial insignia
- Flags of the Confederate States
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Artimovich, Nick. "Questions & Answers". North American Vexillological Association. p. 8. Archived from the original on April 17, 2007. Retrieved March 20, 2007.
- ^ General Election Ballot Referendum Questions
- ^ Kaye, Ted (June 10, 2001). "New Mexico tops state/provincial flags survey, Georgia loses by wide margin". North American Vexillological Association. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
- ^ a b c "State Flag of Alabama". Alabama Emblems, Symbols and Honors. Alabama Department of Archives & History. April 27, 2006. Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2007.
- ^ Anderson, Ed (November 22, 2010). "New Louisiana state flag with bleeding pelican is unfurled". The Times-Picayune. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
- ^ Ramseth, Luke (November 4, 2020). "Mississippi voters approve new magnolia design for state flag. Here's what happens next". clarionledger.com. Clarion Ledger. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
- ^ "Mississippi Legislature 2020 Regular Session House Bill 1796". Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System. July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ "Official State Symbols of North Carolina". North Carolina State Library. State of North Carolina. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved January 26, 2008.
- ^ "The Oklahoma State Flag". NetState. NState, LLC. February 6, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
Colors shall be colorfast and shall not bleed one into another. Added by Laws 1925, c. 234, p. 340, § 1. Amended by Laws 1941, p. 90, § 1; Laws 2006, c. 181, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2006.
- ^ "Enrolled Senate Bill No. 1359". Oklahoma State Courts Network. May 23, 2006. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
This act shall become effective November 1, 2006.
- ^ a b "Oregon Almanac Topics - Dance to Hops - Flag, State". Retrieved June 29, 2020.
Oregon is the only state whose flag has different patterns on each side. The design for the Oregon flag was adopted by the legislature in 1925.
- ^ Text states that Oregon adopted its flag in 1925
- ^ Ellis, Josh (March 2, 2023). "Utah Legislature approves new state flag". KSL.
- ^ Commonwealth of Virginia (February 1, 1950). "§ 1-506. Flag of the Commonwealth". Code of Virginia. Virginia: Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
The flag of the Commonwealth shall be a deep blue field, with a circular white centre of the same material. Upon this circle shall be painted or embroidered, to show on both sides alike, the coat of arms of the Commonwealth, as described in § 1-500 for the obverse of the great seal of the Commonwealth; and there may be a white fringe on the outer edge, furthest from the flagstaff. This shall be known and respected as the flag of the Commonwealth. (Code 1950, § 7-32; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-32; 2005, c. 839.)
- ^ "Symbols of Washington State". Washington State Legislature. Archived from the original on March 5, 2007. Retrieved March 11, 2007.
- ^ State of Wisconsin. "286". Section: 1.08: State flag. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
The department of administration shall ensure that all official state flags that are manufactured on or after May 1, 1981, conform to the requirements of this section. State flags manufactured before May 1, 1981, may continue to be used as state flags.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b Florida Constitution Revision Commission (August 4, 2005). "Amendments, Election of 11-6-1900". The Florida State University. Archived from the original on October 8, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
- ^ General Assembly of Indiana (1903). Legislative and State Manual of Indiana. W.B. Burford. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
- ^ Indiana Historical Bureau, Indiana State Flag, IN.gov, retrieved May 19, 2024
- ^ [1] Archived 2014-08-12 at the Wayback Machine While this flag was officially adopted by Louisiana in 1861 there is no indication that it actually flew over state buildings up to 1912. In that year (1912) the blue pelican flag was officially adopted after nearly 100 years of unofficial use.
- ^ "Flag | More Than A Flag". flag.utah.gov.
- ^ https://www.bia.gov/frequently-asked-questions BIA. U.S. Department of the Interior. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
- ^ Klimeš, Roman (January 2011). "Lesser-Known Symbols of Minor U.S. Possessions" (PDF). NAVA News. 209.
- ^ Klimeš, Roman (January 2000). "The Flag of Wake Island" (PDF). NAVA News. 33.
External links
[edit]- List of State Flags at State Symbols USA