Flags of the American States | History, Meaning

There is a wide diversity of regional influence shown in the designs of the flags flown by the states, territories, and the District of Columbia of the United States. The oldest U.S. state flag also adheres to a variety of design principles and styles. However, the majority of state flags have the same design pattern, which consists of the state seal overlaid on a monochrome backdrop, most usually a shade of blue. Among vexillologists(those who study flags), this pattern is still a source of debate. Mississippi’s flag was adopted on January 11, 2021, making it the state flag with the most recent adoption date. However, the Northern Mariana Islands’ flag was adopted on July 1, 1985, making it the newest territory flag.

The Flag of the United States

The US flag is one of the oldest national flags in use today. Only original versions of the flags of Denmark, Austria, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland are much older.

Throughout the process of exploration and settlement in North America, the flags of different European nations that occupied the area were flown to denote ownership of the territory. Later, throughout the time of the Colonial Era and the Revolutionary War, significant people, locations, and events were commemorated on flags that were flown throughout the American Colonies.

The Oldest U.S. State Flag

Some state flags in the United States are older than the country itself, as it predates the Constitution. Rhode Island and Maryland are believed to gave the oldest US state flags. Rhode Island’s currently used flag was not officially recognised as such  until 1897.  However, the flag’s design can be traced all the way back to 1640. In a similar vein, the flag of Maryland was not officially adopted until many years after it was initially used in an unofficial capacity. In the beginning, it was just George Calvert’s personal flag, but in 1904 it was given official status. George Calvert was the pioneer who led the way in the colonisation of Maryland.

Stripes on the American Flag

The fifty stars on the flag are a representation of the fifty states, while the thirteen stripes are a reminder of the original thirteen colonies. Old Glory is the name given to the 13 equally horizontal red and white stripes of the flag, alternating with rows of five stars. There is also a blue clloured rectangle in the top hoist-side corner of the flag, with 50 white five-pointed stars positioned in nine horizontal rows of six stars alternating in rows of five stars.

Conclusion

The modern state flags of the United States were designed at the start of the 20th century, when each state was thinking of unique symbols to represent them during the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, which was held in Chicago, Illinois. Between the years 1893 and 1914, the majority of state flags in the United States were designed and put into use. In a poll conducted in 2001 by the North American Vexillological Association, New Mexico was found to have the most elegantly designed flag of any state in the United States, territory in the United States, or province in Canada, while the state flag of Georgia was deemed to have the most unattractive design.