State Flags of the USA.

This flag was officially adopted in 1895. Alabama became the 22nd state of the USA, admitted in 1819.

The state flag of Alabama is called the "Crimson cross of St. Andrew's," a red saltire cross on a white background. It can be any size of square or rectangle, but the arms of the cross must always be 6 inches (152mm) in width.

This flag was designed by a Alaskan schoolboy Bernie Benson in 1926, and was officially adopted in 1959. Alaska became the 49th state of the USA in 1959.

The flag features the seven stars of the Plough, and the Pole Star (Polaris), all in gold representing Alaska's mineral wealth.

This flag was designed locally by Colonel Charles W. Harris and officially adopted in 1927. Arizona was the 48th state in the USA, admitted in 1912.

The 13 yellow and red rays represent the original 13 colonies of the USA. The copper-coloured star in the middle represents copper mining, as Arizona produces more copper than any other US state.

This flag was designed locally by Ms Willie Hocker in a design contest in 1913. The flag's design was finalized in 1926. Arkansas the became the 25th state of the USA, admitted in 1836.

The diamond shape represent the diamond gemstone, as this is the only state where diamonds are found. As Arkansas was the 25th state to join the Union, there are 25 white stars around the diamond. The three blue stars represent the countries that have ruled Arkansas; Spain, France and the US. The top blue star, the Confederacy.

This flag was designed locally by William Todd in 1846, though it was not officially adopted untill 1911.
California was the 31st state of the USA, admitted in 1850.

The official state flag of California, is called the Bear Flag, as it depicts a grizzly bear, and a star (for freedom).

This flag was designed locally by Andrew Carlisle Johnson in 1911 and officially adopted in June of the same year. Colorado became the 38th state of the USA, admitted in 1876.

The white in the flag symbolizes Colorado's snowcapped mountains, the blue Colorado's clear blue skies, the red the reddish soil, and the golden yellow the sun.

This flag was officially adopted in 1897. First settled in 1634, it adopted its first constitution five years later. In 1776 it became a republican state, and in 1788 ratified the US constitution.

The flag features a gold and silver rimmed shield with 3 grapevines, all on a blue field. The gold bordered ribbon under the shield shows the state's motto, 'QUI TRANSTULIT SUSTINET ' (He who is transplanted still sustains).

On December 7, 1787 Delaware ratified the United States Constitution becoming the first (former) British colony in America to do so.

This flag was officially adopted on July 4, 1913.
The flag has a blue field that features a yellow diamond with the state's seal. On the seal, a soldier with a hoe and woman with a rifle, face each other across a scroll that encloses a sheaf of wheat, an ear of corn and an ox.
Under is a ribbon reads 'LIBERTY AND INDEPENDENCE'. Above the scroll is a ship representing commerce.

This flag was designed and officially adopted in 1938.

Washington DC is not a state of the USA, but a Ferderal District. It has been included as it is an important flag.

The design is based on the shield from George Washington's family's coat of arms, originating in England in 1592.

Florida's official flag was adopted in 1900 and was the 27th state of the USA, admitted in 1845.

Florida's flag has a red cross of St. Andrew on a white field; in the center is the state seal, which depicts a Native American (Seminole) woman scattering flowers, the sun with many rays, palm trees , a steamboat, the land and the water.

This flag was was adopted in 1956, but was superceeded in 2003.
Georgia was the 4th state of the USA, and became a state in 1788.

The flag of Hawaii was commissioned by King Kamehameha I of Hawaii in 1816, and was adopted in 1845.
Hawaii was the 50th state of the USA, admitted in 1959.

The eight stripes of white, red and blue represent the eight main islands of Hawaii. The Union Jack (the flag of UK) is in the upper left corner of Hawaii's flag, honoring Hawaii's long relationship with the British.

This flag in this form was officially adopted in 1927. Idaho became a state in 1890 and was the 43th state in the USA, admitted in the same year.

The flag is deep blue with the state seal in the center surrounded on 3 sides by a yellow band. The motto in the seal is "ESTO PERPETUA" meaning "May it endure forever". The state seal was designed by Emma Edwards Green.

New specifications for the flag were adopted in 1957.

Illinois's original state flag was designed in 1913 by Lucy Derwent (the winning entry in a contest), and was reworked by Ms Hutchinson in 1970. The flag's design is based upon the state's seal, designed by Ms Tyndale in 1868.
Illinois was the 21st state in the USA; becoming a state in 1818.

The central emblem of the flag depicts the Illinois state seal. The eagle is holding a banner in its beak which reads STATE, SOVEREIGNTY, NATIONAL and UNION. The rock has the dates 1818 and 1868.

This flag was locally designed by Mr Paul Hadley in 1916 and officially adopted in 1917. Indiana was the 19th state in the USA, admitted in 1816.

There are 19 golden stars on a blue field. The 13 stars in the outer circle represent the 13 original colonies of the USA, the 5 stars in a half circle represent the states admitted prior to Indiana (but after the original 13), and the larger star atop the torch represents Indiana.

Iowa's official flag was designed by Mrs Dixie Gebhardt and adopted in 1921. Iowa was the 29th state in the USA, becoming a state in 1846.

The flag has a red, white and blue background, similar to the French flag; this symbolises that Iowa came to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase (this area was formerly French, but was sold to the USA in 1803). In the centre is the seal of 1847.
The ribbon reads, "OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZE, AND OUR RIGHTS WE WILL MAINTAIN".

This version of the flag of Kansas was adopted in 1963 with the addition of the name 'KANSAS'.
Kansas was the 34th state in the USA, becoming a state in 1861.

Kansas' official state flag was adopted in 1927. The flag has a blue field. Below the sunflower is the seal that pictures Kansas farmland, with 34 stars and the state motto, "AD ASTRA PER ASPERA", Latin for 'To the stars through difficulty'.

Kentucky's flag derives from the militia colours. Kentucky was the 15th state in the USA, becoming a state in 1792. The official state flag was adopted in 1918, but the design was not finalised until in 1928. The flag was regularised in 1962.

Like many state flags, it contains the state's name and seal. Goldenrod flowers encircle the bottom half of the seal.

Louisiana's state official flag was adopted in 1912.

The pelican, representing self sacrifice and the state's role as protector, has long been the badge of Louisiana, but the flag was adopted 100 years after Louisiana became a state.
The ribbon reads "UNION JUSTICE AND CONFIDENCE".

Louisiana was the 18th state of the US, becoming a state in 1812.

Maine's official state flag was adopted in 1909. The flag has a blue field with the state coat of arms in the centre.
The arms shows a shield between a farmer and a seaman with a pine tree, a moose, grass, sky, and blue water. The yellow star represents the North Star, as Maine was the northernmost state when it entered the Union. The red ribbon reads, "DIRIGO" Latin for "I direct".The blue ribbon simply reads "MAINE"

Maine was the 23rd state of the US, joining the Union in 1820.

Maryland was the 7th state in the USA; it became a state in 1788. The state flag of Maryland was officially adopted in 1904.

It is the only US state flag based on British heraldry. The flag's design was based on the coat of arms adopted by George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore and the original 'proprietor' of the state. The alternating yellow and black are from Lord Calvert's family shield; the red and white design is probably from Calvert's maternal family.

Massachusetts' official state flag was adopted in 1971. (Prior to 1971 the flag had a design on the obverse as well). The flag depicts an Amerindian carrying a bow and arrow on a blue shield (all on a white field). A white star on the shield represents Massachusetts, one of the original 13 states.

The state motto reads "ENSE PETIT PLACIDAM SUB LIBERTATE QUIETEM", that means "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty." Above the shield is a arm wielding a sword . Massachusetts was the 6th state in the US, becoming so in 1788.

Michigan's official flag was adopted in 1911. The flag has the state's arms on a blue fiels to make the flag."TUEBOR," meaning "I will defend."

The red ribbon above reads "E PLURIBUS UNUM" Latin meaning "Out of Many, One" Below is two white ribbons that read "SI QUAERIS PENINSULAM AMOENAM" and "CIRCUM SPICE" meaning, "If you are seeking a amenable peninsula, look around you."

Michigan was the 26th state of the US, admitted in 1837.

Minnesota's official state flag was adopted in 1893 and revised in 1957.

A red banner with yellow letters has the state motto, "L'ETOILE DU NORD", French for "The star of the north".19 yellow stars surround the seal on a white band; these stars symbolize that Minnesota was the 19th state to enter the union after the first 13.

Minnesota was the 32th state in the USA; it became a state in 1858.

The official state flag of Mississippi was adopted in 1894, replacing the older Magnolia Flag ( adopted in 1861, after Mississippi seceded from the union).

Today's flag has a Confederate battle flag at the upper hoist with thirteen white stars on a St. Andrew's Cross, and horizontal blue, white and red stripes.

Mississippi was the 20th state in the USA, admitted in 1817.

The official state flag of Missouri was adopted in 1913. The flag has a red, white and blue field representing Missouri's French heritage.
The motto, "UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL" is around the inner circle. Another motto (in Latin) "SALUS POPULI SUPREMA LEX ESTA" is on the yellow ribbon.
The Roman numeral MDCCCXX represents 1820, the date of the Missouri Compromise.

Missouri was the 24th state of the US, admitted in 1821.

Montana's official state flag was adopted in 1905. The flag has a deep blue field with "MONTANA" written above the state seal.

The seal pictures the mountains, cliffs, a waterfall, and river beneath a golden sky with clouds and sun rays. A plow represents agriculture; a pick and shovel represent mining.
A ribbon below states Montana's motto, "Oro y pla" "Gold and Silver" in Spanish -recalling Spain's previous claim to the area.

Montana was the 41st state in the US, becoming state in 1889.

Nebraska's official state flag was adopted in 1925, and uses the seal that was adopted in 1867. The seal depicts an allegoral landscape, symbolic of the state's industrial and agricultural development.

The state motto, "Equality Before the Law," is on a banner above the landscape.
The date of Nebraska's admission to the Union (1 March 1867) is listed below the seal.
Nebraska was the 37rd state of the USA.

Nevada was the 36th state in the USA, becoming a state in 1864. Nevada's flag emerged from a design competition and was adopted in 1929. Revised in 1991 with the state name being replaced by the sagebrush with yellow flowers.

The yellow ribbon reads "BATTLE BORN" alluding to fact that Nevada became a state during the Civil War.

The official state flag of New Hampshire was adopted in 1909, although the design was in use since 1784. The flag pictures the state seal on a deep blue field. The state seal has the ship "Raleigh" being built at the town of Plymouth during the War of Independence.

The words around the inner rim of the seal are, "SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE 1776" At the outer rim are yellow laurel leaves that alternate with nine yellow stars.

New Hampshire became a state of the US in 1788.

New Jersey's official state flag has a light yellow-brown field, similar to the colour of the main part of the uniform of the New Jersey Continental Line.
Part of the state seal, designed by Pierre Eugene de Simitiere in 1777 is in the center. Below are the words "LIBERTY AND PROSPERITY" and "1776". The goddesses symbolize liberty and prosperity.

The flag with the arms was adopted in 1896 and was generally available from 1938.

New Jersey was the 3rd state of the US, becoming a state in 1787.

This distinctive official state flag of New Mexico was chosen from a flag competition in 1920. The winning designer was Dr. Harry Mera, and is an interpretation of an ancient Sun symbol 'Zia' of the native Pueblo Indians.

The colors red and yellow represent the Spanish colonial era.

New Mexico was the 47th state in the USA, admitted in 1912.

The official flag of New York State was adopted in 1901, though it dates from the War of Independence. Originally with a buff coloured field.

The white ribbon reads "EXCELSIOR" ("Ever Upwards").

The coat of arms dates from 1777.
New York was the 11th state of the US, becoming a state in 1788.

North Carolina's official flag was adopted in 1885.

May 20th, 1775, commemorates the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, where North Carolina citizens met to declare their freedom from England. The lower date, April 12th, 1776, commemorates the adoption of the Halifax Resolves (the first official action by a colony calling for independence from England).

North Carolina was the 12th state in the US becoming a state in 1789..

North Dakota's official state flag was adopted in 1911. Originally used by the state's militia, the North Dakota Infantry, it was adopted almost without alteration.

The red ribbon reads in Latin "E PLURIBUS UNUM" (the motto of the USA and means "Out of Many, One").
Above the eagle are 13 yellow stars, below is a red scroll reading "NORTH DAKOTA".

North Dakota was the 39th state of the US, being admitted in 1889.

The pennant shaped flag of Ohio is derived from an Ohio cavalry guidon (or gidon) used during the civil war period. Designed locally by John Eisemann, it was adopted in 1902.
Ohio was the 17th state in the USA, admitted in 1803.

The 13 stars towards the hoist represent the original 13 states of the US, the other 4 were added to symbolize that Ohio was the 17th state admitted to the union.

The official state flag of Oklahoma was adopted in 1925. The flag was chosen from entries in a flag contest won by Ms Louise Fluke.

The Amerindian emblems, all symbols of peace, recall the former name of Oklahoma 'Indian Territory'.

"OKLAHOMA" was added to the flag in 1941.

Oklahoma was the 46th state in the US, becoming a state in 1907.

Oregon's official state flag was adopted in 1925 and is the only US state flag that has a design on both sides. Both sides of the flag have a deep blue field and yellow designs. The obverse (back of the flag) shows Oregon's state animal, a beaver.
The ships on the seal symbolise the transfer of the Oregon Territory from England to the US in 1846.

Oregon was the 33rd state in the US, becoming a state in 1859.

Pennsylvania's official state flag was adopted in 1907. The flag has a deep blue field. In the center is the state coat of arms with ; 2 draft horses supporting a shield with a ship, a plow, and 3 sheaves of wheat. Above is a bald eagle. Below are a stalk of corn, an olive branch, and a red ribbon reading "VIRTUE, LIBERTY, AND INDEPENDENCE".

The coat of arms was adopted in 1777 and regularised in 1875.

Pennsylvania was the 2nd state in the US, becoming a state in 1787.

Rhode Island's official flag was adopted in 1897, and modified in 1897.

The flag is white, fringed with yellow on three sides. A yellow anchor is circled by 13 yellow stars. A blue ribbon is under the anchor and reads, "HOPE". The anchor was first adopted as a seal for Rhode Island in 1647, when the four original towns of Rhode Island (Providence, Warwick, Portsmouth, and Newport) united under a single charter.

Rhode Island was the 13th state in the US, becoming state in 1790.

The state flag of South Carolina was officially adopted in 1861, at the very start of the American civil war.

South Carolina was the 8th state in the US, becoming so in 1788.

The central tree is a palmetto chosen because this tree had helped South Carolina defeat the British in a battle at Sullivan's Island. The crescent at the chief canton recalls the 3 crescents first used in 1765 on a Sth Carolina banner protesting the Stamp Act.

South Dakota's original flag was designed by Sen Earest May and Ms Doane Robinson and adopted in 1909. This flag had an image of the sun on the front and the state's seal on the back.

In 1963 the flag was redesigned by Will Robinson (Doane's son) both images were merged and placed on the front. This was adopted in the same year. In 1992 the motto on the flag was changed to "The Mount Rushmore State".

South Dakota was the 40th state on the US, becoming a state in 1889.

The official state flag of Tennessee was designed by LeRoy Reeves of the 3rd Regiment of the Tennessee Infantry and was adopted in 1905.

Tennessee was the 16th state of the US and was admitted in 1796.

The blue stripe along the fly margin was added for distinction when the flag is hanging.

The flag of Texas mimics the colours of the Stars and Stripes, but with only one star.
The official state flag of Texas, called the Lone Star Flag, was adopted in 1845 when Texas became the 28th state of the US, admitted in 1845.

This flag dates back to a star on a plain blue background of the republic of Texas. It was adopted in 1839 and was retained after Texas joined the Union.

Utah's official flag was adopted in 1913. The present flag dates from 1911, and uses the seal adopted in 1896

The word "INDUSTRY" and the dates 1847 and 1896 appear on the flag. 1847 is the year that Brigham Young led a group of his Mormon followers to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah.

Utah was the 45th state of the US, joining the Union in 1896.

Vermont's official state flag was adopted in 1923. The flag features Vermont's coat of arms on a field of deep blue. The arms shows a pine tree, a cow, bales of hay, and sheaves of wheat . Vermont's mountains are pictured in the background. A stag's head is on top. A wreath of pine needles wrap around either side of the arms.

"VERMONT" and the state's motto, "FREEDOM AND UNITY" are written on a red ribbon.
Vermont was the 14th state, admitted in 1791.

Virginia's official state flag was adopted in 1861, and was the 10th state of the US, admitted in 1788.

In the center of the flag is the seal, with the words "VIRGINIA," and "SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS" (Latin for "thus always to tyrants"). The goddess Virtue, holding a sword and spear, has defeated a tyrant. Virtue symbolises Virginia and the tyrant, Britain.

A white silk fringe is at the extreme fly.

Washington state's official flag was adopted in 1923, and is the only US state to have a flag of green or to feature the US first president.
Washington state, now known as the 'Evergreen State', was the 42th state of the US, becoming so in 1889.

The state seal was designed locally in 1889 by Charles Talcott and was placed on the flag in 1923.

West Virginia's official state flag was adopted in 1929. The flag has a white field surrounded by a blue band. The state seal at the centre is encircled by a garland of the state flower (mountain rhododendron). The date in the rock June 20, 1863 is the day West Virginia became a state, after spliting from Virginia.

West Virginia was the 35th state on the US, becoming so in 1863.

Wisconsin's official state flag is derived from the militia colours of the Union in 1863 and was adopted in 1913.
The flag has a deep blue background. White letters spell out "WISCONSIN" and "1848" (the state name and date were added in 1980) the year Wisconsin became a state. A sailor with rope, and a miner with an axe, surround a yellow shield in the center of the flag.

A badger (Wisconsin's state animal) and a white ribbon reading "FORWARD" are above the shield.
Wisconsin was the 30th state on the US; it became a state in 1848.

Wyoming's official flag was the result of a competition and was adopted in 1917.

A white bison dominates, and has the state seal in the center that pictures a rancher and a miner on either side of a woman. Wyoming was the first US state in which women had the right to vote and hold public office.

The dates 1869 and 1890 are on either side of the shield; they are the dates when Wyoming became a territory and when it became a state. Wyoming was the 44th state of the US, becoming a state in 1890.