Do You Know The History Of Your State Flag (Interesting Information)

World Atlas.com ^ | 2006 | World Atlas.com

[MotleyGirl70]

The flag of the United States features thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies.

The flag is known as Old Glory, and no one knows for certain who designed it. Many historians believe that U.S. Congressman, Francis Hopkinson was the original designer, while a few still think that Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, made the first one.

[MotleyGirl70]

The history of your state flag. See what you can learn about yours here.

DESCRIPTION:

During America's Civil War, Wisconsin troops were requesting a flag to carry, but the state didn't have one.

Subsequently, the legislature formed a committee, and charged them with the development of "a proper state flag." That action resulted in the adoption of Wisconsin's official flag in 1863.

In 1913, the flag was changed, specifying a dark blue background with the state coat of arms centered. The flag remained unchanged until 1980, when the legislature was asked to change the flag so it would appear more distinctive, and be easier to recognize.

They added the word "Wisconsin" and the statehood date in "1848" in white letters, centered below the coat of arms.

DESCRIPTION:

The New Jersey flag originated in 1787, and with the centered seal, was officially adopted in 1896.

The flag's field is a light, yellow (or buff) color. It was personally selected by General George Washington in 1779, and worn as a uniform color by his New Jersey Continental Line troops in the Revolutionary War.

The centered blue shield features three plows, the head armor of a knight, and a horse's head above.

The two women (right and left) represent the goddesses of Liberty and Agriculture.

The blue ribbon (bottom) includes 1776 (the year of independence) and the states's motto - Liberty and Prosperity.

DESCRIPTION:

The current version of Michigan's state flag was officially adopted in 1911. It displays (on a dark blue field), the 1832 state arms representation.

Those arms include an elk and moose supporting the official shield. That shield displays a man indicating friendship. He stands on a peninsula, next to a lake, with the morning sun rising. A bald eagle sits on top of the shield.

Three mottos are included: "E Pluribus Unum" (From Many, One), "Tuebor" (I Will Defend), and "Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspace" (If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you).

[MotleyGirl70]

Ping! :)

[Larry Lucido]

Oh, that's what it says. I thought it meant "Circumsize the amoeba peninsula." Ouch!

[Moose4]

Though I am a native Virginian and fiercely proud of it, I've always loved the state flag of my former home of South Carolina.

I don't remember where the crescent moon came from, but the story behind the palmetto tree on the flag came from the defense of Sullivan's Island (near Charleston) against the British during the Revolution. The fort on the island was built from palmetto logs, and the spongy palmetto wood absorbed the impact of the shots fired from British ships offshore, enabling the fort to survive and drive off a British fleet.

}:-)4

[Cagey]

Very cool!

However, I think the "Liberty and Prosperity" on the New Jersey flag should be updated to something like "Corruption and High Taxes".

[Jet Jaguar]

"This distinctive flag was officially adopted in 1925 and features the sun symbol of the Zia Pueblo Indians. The colors (yellow and red) were the official colors of Queen Isabella of Spain, brought to North America during the Spanish colonial era."

From the website

Addition;

The yellow field and red symbol colors are the colors of Spain. First brought to New Mexico by Spanish explorers in 1540. On New Mexico's flag we see a red sun with rays streching out from it. There are four groups of rays with four rays in each group. This is an ancient sun symbol of a Native American people called the Zia. The Zia believed that the giver of all good gave them gifts in groups of four. These gifts are: * The four directions - north, east, south and west. * The four seasons - spring, summer, fall and winter. * The day - sunrise, noon, evening and night. * Life itself - childhood, youth, middle years and old age. All of these are bound by a circle of life and love, without a beginning or end.

[cripplecreek]

I like my Michigan flag but the South Carolina flag is among my favorites.

[Cagey]

I think you'll enjoy this.

It was personally selected by General George Washington in 1779, and worn as a uniform color by his New Jersey Continental Line troops in the Revolutionary War.

[NonValueAdded]

ping

[Jet Jaguar]

In 1926, when Alaska was still a territory, this striking flag was designed by an Indian student. It displays the Big Dipper and the North Star, The gold color of the stars represents the state's enormous mineral resources.

From the website.

My addition.

Alaska adopted the flag for official state use in 1959. The blue field represents the sky, the sea, and mountain lakes, as well as Alaska's wildflowers. Emblazoned on the flag are eight gold stars: seven from the constellation Ursa Major, or the Big Dipper. The eighth being the North Star, representing the northern most state. Alaska's flag was designed in 1926 by a 13-year-old Native American boy, Bennie Benson, from the village of Chignik. Bennie received a 1,000-dollar scholarship and a watch for his winning entry in the flag design contest

http://www.50states.com/flag/akflag.htm

[MotleyGirl70]

Great Seal of the United States

The seal was developed by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson at the direction of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1776. A final design was approved in 1782, and today (both sides) are found on the back of the U.S. one-dollar bill, and often stamped onto specific documents, including foreign treaties and presidential proclamations.

National Emblem:

The Bald Eagle was officially declared the National Emblem of the United States by the Second Continental Congress in 1782. It was selected by the USA's founding fathers because it is a species unique to North America. It has become the living symbol of the USA's freedoms, spirit and pursuit of excellence. Its image and symbolism have played a significant role in American art, folklore, music and architecture.

[EveningStar]

ping

[annie laurie]

On June 14, 1846, a small band of settlers marched on the Mexican garrison at Sonoma and took the commandant, Mariano Vallejo, prisoner, They issued a proclamation which declared California to be a Republic independent of Mexico. This uprising became known as the Bear Flag Revolt after the hastily designed flag depicting a grizzly bear and a five pointed star over a red bar and the words "California Republic." The grizzly bear was a symbol of great strength while the lone star made reference to the lone Star of Texas.

The flag only flew until July 9, 1846 when it was learned that Mexico and the United States were already at war. Soon after, the Bear Flag was replaced with the American flag. It was adopted as the State Flag by the State Legislature in 1911.

[pcottraux]

Nope. I haven't the foggiest idea. I barely even know what it looks like.

[pcottraux]

It must be nice to have a state flag that noone fights over.... .

Are you talking about Georgia?

[trussell]

Colorado Flag

DESCRIPTION:

The flag was originally designed by Andrew Carlisle Johnson in 1911. The C-shaped emblem contains the colors of Spain which originally claimed the area, and the gold ball represents the state's mineral wealth.

Precise colors of red and blue were not designated in the 1911 legislation and some controversy arose over those colors. In 1929, the General Assembly stipulated the precise colors of red and blue to be the same as the U.S. national flag.

Controversy also arose over the size of the letter C, and in 1964, the General Assembly modified the 1911 legislation by revising the distance from the staff for the letter C and its diameter.

 

[mwyounce]

Our constitution too! :)

[MotleyGirl70]

Confederate Flags

Bonnie Blue

First raised in 1810 over the fort of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by a band of Florida troops, the Bonnie Blue served as the symbol of southern independence, and as the official flag of the Confederacy, until it was replaced by the Stars and Bars in 1861. dot dot The Bonnie Blue was used by the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1839. In 1861, it flew over the capital building in Jackson, Mississippi, inspiring the southern patriotic song - "The Bonnie Blue Flag," composed by Harry MaCarthy. It was also used in one form or another by numerous southern confederate states.