18 LOUISIANAApril 30, 1812
"Pelican State" |
The State flag of Louisiana was adopted on the centennial of its statehood in 1912. It features a pelican tearing at its breast to feed its young, symbolic of self-sacrifice. Though the flag became official in 1912, this symbol was used to represent the Territory of Louisiana long before it entered the Union. The State motto is printed in a scroll at the bottom and reads: UNION, JUSTICE & CONFIDENCE
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19 INDIANADecember 11, 1816
"Hoosier State" |
The arrangement of the 19 stars in Indiana's STATE FLAG symbolizes more than just that state's admission as the 19th state. There are 13 stars in the outer circle for the first 13 states, 5 stars in the lower half of the inner circle for the 5 states admitted after the Constitution, and the 19th star for Indiana above the torch. The torch itself and extending rays represent the spread of enlightenment and liberty throughout our Nation.
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20 MISSISSIPPIDecember 10, 1817
"Magnolia State" |
In 1894 Mississippi adopted their state flag, based upon TWO flags flown by the Confederacy during the Civil War. The 3 broad blue, white, and red stripes was known as the "STARS and BARS". In adopting a state flag to represent the state's proud Southern heritage, the BATTLE FLAG" of the Confederacy containing 11 stars, was added to the upper left corner of the Stars and Bars flag.
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21 ILLINOISDecember 3, 1818
"Prairie State" |
Illinois adopted their official STATE FLAG in 1915 and modified it to look like the flag above in 1970. The seal of the State of Illinois is centered on a white flag and depicts the sun rising behind an American Eagle perched on a rock and holding the shield of the United States in its claws. Two dates are reflected on the flag: 1818 - the date Illinois became our 211st state, and 1868 - the date Illinois adopted the seal itself. The words of the banner held in the eagle's mouth reflect the motto of Illinois: "STATE SOVEREIGNTY, NATIONAL UNION" |
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22 ALABAMADecember 14, 1819
"Heart of Dixie" |
The Confederate States of America was born
in Montgomery, Alabama in February, 1861. The official State Flag of the "Heart
of Dixie" was adopted in 1891 and was designed to recall the heritage of the square
BATTLE FLAG of the Confederacy.
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23 MAINEMarch 15, 1820
"Pine Tree State" |
Until the "Missouri Compromise" of 1820, Maine had been part of Massachusetts. In 1820 it separated from Massachusetts and became a separate state, allowing the admission of Missouri the following year. The coat of arms on the Maine STATE FLAG, adopted in 1909, reflects the importance of agriculture, shipping and forestry. Above the coat of arms is the NORTH STAR, signifying the state's role at the time (1909) as the northernmost state geographically. The state motto beneath the North Star means: "I DIRECT"
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24 MISSOURIAugust 10, 1821
"Show Me State"
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In the center of a flag with one red, white and blue stripe is the seal of the State of Missouri. The Flag was adopted in 1913. Encircling the State Seal are 24 stars, indicating Missouri's entrance to the Union as the 24th state. The seal itself also contains 24 stars at the top and Roman Numerals numbering 1820, the date of the Missouri Compromise. Inside the smaller inner circle are the words: "UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL", beneath which are the Latin words for the state motto: "LET THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE BE THE SUPREME LAW"
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25 ARKANSASJune 15, 1836
"Land of Opportunity" |
When the people of Arkansas adopted their STATE FLAG in 1913 (it was modified in 1923 and again in 1924), they included a diamond to remind others that their's was the only State of active mining of mineral deposits. They placed 25 stars inside the border of the diamond to represent the States admission as our 25th State. The four stars in the center represent aspects of Arkansas history. The state motto is not printed on the flag but is worthy of note: "THE PEOPLE RULE"
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26 MICHIGANJanuary 26, 1837
"Wolverine State"
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If you look closely at the two antlered animals on either side of the Michigan STATE FLAG you will notice that they are not identical...one is an elk and the other is a moose. Above the crest is an American Eagle with the motto of our country, "E Pluribus Unum". Adopted in 1911, the crest in the middle of the flag reflects the scenic nature of the State along with the words "I SHALL DEFEND". The state motto printed on the flag below the scenic representation of the state says: "IF YOU SEEK A PLEASANT PENINSULA, LOOK AROUND YOU"
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27 FLORIDAMarch 3, 1845
"Sunshine State" |
The State of Florida adopted their STATE FLAG in 1900 and made some revisions in 1985. Set in the backdrop of the red cross of the Confederate Battle Flag is the State Seal depicting a native Seminole woman, a steam boat, everglades, and the state's tree--the sabel palm. The State motto is printed at the base of the seal: "IN GOD WE TRUST"
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28 TEXASDecember 29, 1845
"Lone Star State" |
The official flag of Texas was adopted in
1839, six years before it became a State. Only the flag of Hawaii is older as an
official state flag, and many Texans would be quick to point out that Hawaii's official
flag was modified in 1845 so the banner that represents TEXAS is the OLDEST ORIGINAL
official STATE FLAG
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29 IOWADecember 28, 1846 |
The red and white vertical stripes in the flag adopted by the State of Iowa in 1921 are reminiscent of the French Tricolor, and serve as a reminder that Iowa was acquired from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The American Eagle with its blue ribbon are a part of the State Seal, and bear the motto: "OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZE AND OUR RIGHTS WE WILL MAINTAIN
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30 WISCONSINMay 29, 1848
"Badger State" |
As you would expect, the "Badger
State" has a picture of a badger on its STATE FLAG, just below the name of the
30th state and a scroll with the words "FORWARD" on it. The crest
reflects shipping (anchor), mining(pick), farming (plow) and industry (arm and
hammer). At the bottom of the flag adopted as the official STATE FLAG of Wisconsin
adopted in 1913 (and modified in 1981) is the year the state entered the Union.
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31 CALIFORNIASeptember 9, 1850
"Golden State" |
One June 14, 1846, four years before
California became our 31st state, a group of Americans united under the banner of
"The Bear Flag Republic" to declare independence from Mexico. The
California state flag was adopted in 1911 and revised in 1953. A single star
represents the statehood of the "Golden State" and the image of a BEAR with the
words "California REPUBLIC" are presented in the flag to honor that heritage.
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32 MINNESOTAMay 11, 1858
"North Star State" |
The STATE FLAG of Minnesota was not adopted
until 1957, almost 100 years after it became our 32nd State. The flag displays the
State Seal depicting pioneer life, under a banner with the State's motto "North Star
State". There are 19 stars on the Minnesota, one for each state AFTER the
Original Thirteen...Minnesota being the 32nd.
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33 OREGONFebruary 14, 1859
"Beaver State"
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In 1925 the State of Oregon adopted the official STATE FLAGE, part of which is seen here. More about THAT in a moment. The flag is navy blue with gold letters and symbols, the colors of the "Beaver State". Beneath the legend is a shield which is part of the State Seal. Surrounding the shield are 33 stars to note Oregon's admission to the Union, and below the shield is the date of admission....1859. The reason that you only see PART of the Oregon State Flag here is because it is the ONLY STATE to have a different design on the reverse side of the flag. And what would you expect the "BEAVER STATE" to put on the back of its flag?
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