21  ILLINOIS

December 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"

22  ALABAMA

December 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.

23  MAINE

March 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"

24 MISSOURI

August 10, 1821

"Show Me State"

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"

25  ARKANSAS

June 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"

26  MICHIGAN

January 26, 1837

"Wolverine State"

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"

27 FLORIDA

March 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"