US States - Flags

US State Flags - Alabama Flag

• The capital city of Alabama is Montgomery

• The Crimson 'St Andrews Cross' was adopted in 1895 and is the same patter as the confederate battle flag

• Alabama was the 22nd State to be admitted to the Union in December 14, 1819

• The three largest cities in Alabama are Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile

US State Flags - Alaska Flag

• Alaska is Americas most Northern State

• Its capital city is Juneau

• Alaska was the 49th state admitted to the union on January 3, 1959

• The state of Alaska covers 656,425 square miles

• The three Largest Cities in Alaska - Anchorage, Juneau and Fairbanks

• The word Alaska comes from the Aleut word "Alyeska," which means "great land."
   

US State Flags - Arizona Flag

• The capital city of Arizona is Phoenix

• Arizona was the 48th State to be admitted to the Union and was admitted on February 14, 1912

• The state of Arizona covers 114006 square miles

• Its three Largest Cities are Phoenix, Tucson and Mesa

• Its flag features a copper star in the centre to represent the state as the largest producer of copper in the USA

• There are thirteen red and yellow 'rays' on the top portion of the flag to represent both the setting sun and the thirteen original US colonies

• The blue on the bottom part of the flag is 'liberty' blue and is the same shade that appears on the United States flag

US State Flags - Arkansas Flag

• The capital city of Arkansas is Little Rock

• Arkansas was the 25th State to be admitted to the Union on June 15, 1836

• The state flag features a large diamond on a red field to signify the only state in North America where diamonds have been discovered and mined

• There are twenty five white stars around the diamond as Arkansas was the twenty fifth state to be admitted to the union

• The three largest Cities in Arkansas are Little Rock, Fort Smith and Fayetteville

US State Flags - California Flag

• California was admitted to the union on September 9, 1850 and became the 31st US state

• The capital city of California is Sacramento

• The flag features a large California grizzly bear which is the state animal and symbolises strength

• The red star symbolises sovereignty and courage

• The flags white background symbolises purity

• The flag officially became the Californian state flag in 1911

US State Flags - Colorado Flag

• Colorado was admitted to the union on August 1, 1876 and became the 38th US State

• The capital city of Colorado is Denver

• The three largest cities in the state are Denver, Colorado Springs and Aurora

• There is a huge amount of color symbolism in the Colorado state flag.

• The gold color symbolises the sunshine

• White symbolizes the snow on the states many mountains,

• The red color represents Colorado's red soil and finally the blue color is a symbol of Colorado's clear blue skies

US State Flags - Connecticut Flag

• Connecticut was admitted to the union on January 9, 1788 and became the 5th US State

• The capital city of Connecticut is Hartford

• The three largest cities in Connecticut are Bridgeport, New Haven and Stamford

• The state seal appears in the center of the flag and features a three grape vines

• Below the grape vines is the the state motto: "Sustinet Qui Transtulit" which is Latin for 'He who is transplanted still sustains'

US State Flags - Delaware Flag

• Delaware was the 1st State to be admitted to the Union on December 7, 1787

• The capital city of Delaware is Dover

• The three largest cities in Delaware are Wilmington, Dover and Newark

• The state flag of Delaware has many individual symbols. A Ship which is a symbol of Delaware's ship building industry. The farmer is symbolic of the importance of of farming to the state. A sheaf of Wheat and maize are symbols of the agricultural importance of Delaware's economy

US State Flags - Florida Flag

• Florida became the 27th State to be admitted to the Union on March 3, 1845

• The capital city of Florida is Tallahassee

• The three largest cities in Florida are Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa

• The state flag of Florida was originally simply the state seal

• In 1900 the St Andrews Cross was added to the flag

• The state seal features the Sabal Palm tree which is the state tree of Florida

US State Flags - Georgia Flag

• Georgia was the 4th State to be admitted to the Union on January 2, 1788

• The capital city of Georgia is Atlanta

• The three largest cities in Georgia are Atlanta, Augusta and Columbus

• Georgia adopted a new state flag in 2003

• The new flag has three equal width bands. Two outer red bands and a white band in the center. There is a square blue canton which is the width of two bands in the upper left corner of the flag

US State Flags - Hawaii Flag

• The flag of Hawaii is the only US state flag to include a union jack which is the flag of the United Kingdom, this is due to the period when the state was part of the British empire

• Hawaii is the youngest of all the US States, commonly known as the 50th state and was admitted into the union on August 21, 1959

• The capital city of Hawaii is Honolulu

• The three largest cities in Hawaii are Honolulu, Hilo and Kailua

US State Flags - Idaho Flag

• The capital city Idaho is Boise

• The state flag of Idaho features the state seal on a blue background

• Emma Edwards Green designed the state seal which was adopted in 1891 Idaho is the only US state to have a seal which has been designed by a woman

• Idaho became the 43rd State to be admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890

• There are many symbolic items on the state seal including the state flower and motto

US State Flags - Illinois Flag

• Illinois became the 21st State to be admitted to the Union on December 3, 1818

• The capital city of Illinois is Springfield

• The state motto " State Sovereignty, National Union " is featured on the flag

• The three largest cities in Illinois are Chicago, Rockford and Aurora

• The flag features a large bald eagle which is the national bird of America

• The Bald Eagle holds a shield in its talons with 13 bands and thirteen stars which symbolise the original thirteen colonies of America

US State Flags - Indiana Flag

• On December 11,1816 Indiana became the 19th State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of Indiana is Indianapolis

• The thirteen stars on the outer ring of the Indiana flag symbolize the original thirteen colonies of America

• The inner circle has five small stars and one larger one to represent Indiana as the 19th state

• The torch is symbolic of liberty and light and the rays of light symbolise how widespread the light can be

US State Flags - Iowa Flag

• On December 28, 1846 Iowa became the 29th State to be admitted to the Union

• The state flag has three stripes. The blue stripe symbolises for loyalty, justice and truth. The white stripe symbolises purity and the red stripe is symbolic of courage

• A bald eagle carries streamers in its with the state's motto: "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain"

• The capital city of Iowa is Des Moines

• The three largest cities in Iowa are Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport

US State Flags - Kansas Flag

• On January 29, 1861 Kansas became the 34th State to be admitted to the Union and the state flag was adopted in 1927

• The Kansas flag features a sunflower which is the state flower

• The sunflower rests on a blue & gold band which represents the Louisiana Purchase

• The capital city of Kansas is Topeka

• The three largest cities in Kansas are Wichita, Overland Park & Kansas City

• There are several symbols on the state seal including the rising sun which symbolises the East.

• The river and boat are symbolic of the states commerce

• The importance of agriculture to the state is also symbolised by the settler, the cabin and plough horses

• A herd of buffalo is also featured, buffalo was made the state animal of Kansas in 1955

US State Flags - Kentucky Flag

• On June 1, 1792 Kentucky became the 15th State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of Kentucky is Frankfort

• The three largest cities in Kentucky are Louisville, Lexington & Fayette

• The state flag of Kentucky was adopted in 1962

• The flag features the state seal on a blue background

• Sprigs of the state flower, Goldenrods appear under the state seal

• The two figures in the centre of the state seal are a pioneer and a statesman embracing surrounded by the state motto "United we stand, divided we fall"

US State Flags - Louisiana Flag

• On April 30, 1812 Louisiana became the 18th State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of Louisiana is Baton Rouge

• The three largest cities in Louisiana are New Orleans, Baton Rouge & Shreveport

• The Louisiana flag features a white pelican caring for its three offspring The bird is tearing at its own breast which is symbolised by three drops of blood

• The bird is symbolic of Christian charity

• The heraldic charge or emblem used on the state flag of Louisiana is called a "pelican in her piety"

• A white banner hangs below the bird with the state motto "Union, Justice, and Confidence" written in blue letters on a blue background

US State Flags - Maine Flag

• On March 15, 1820 Maine became the 23rd State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of Maine is Augusta

• The three largest cities in Maine are Portland, Lewiston and Bangor

• The state flag of Maine features the states coat of arms and was adopted in 1909

• The flag features the north star and the state motto " Dirigo "  which is translated as " I lead "

• The two figures featured on the seal are a farmer and a sailor. The sailor is symbolic of the states strong links to the sea and the farmer is symbolic of the importance of agriculture to Maine

US State Flags - Maryland Flag

• On April 28, 1788 Maryland became the 7th State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of Maryland is Annapolis

• The three largest cities in Maryland are Baltimore, Frederick and Gaithersburg

• Maryland's state flag was officially adopted in 1904

• The state flag bears two family coats of arms, the emblems of the Calvert and Crossland families

• The Calvert family was the name of the Lord Baltimore who founded Maryland. Their families coat of arms is featured in the first and fourth quadrants of the flag

• The Crossland family were the mother of George Calvert who was the first Lord Baltimore. The families coat of arms are featured in the second and third quarters

US State Flags - Massachusetts Flag

• The three largest cities in Massachusetts are Boston, Worcester and Springfield

• The capital city of Massachusetts is Boston

• On February 6, 1788 Massachusetts became the 6th State to be admitted to the Union

• The state flag features the state seal with  the state motto on a banner around the coat of arms. The motto 'Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem' is translated as 'By the sword we seek Peace, but Peace only under Liberty'

US States Flags - Michigan Flag

• On January 26, 1837 Michigan became the 26th State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of Michigan is Lansing

• The three largest cities in Michigan are Detroit, Grand Rapids and Warren

• The state flag of Michigan was adopted in 1911

• The animals featured on the state flag are a Moose, and Elk and a Bald Eagle

US States Flags - Minnesota Flag

• On May 11, 1858 Minnesota became the 32nd State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of Minnesota is Saint Paul

• The three largest cities in Minnesota are Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Duluth

• The first flag of Minnesota was flown in 1893 but the version of the state flag shown opposite was adopted in 1957

• The states flag features 19 stars which symbolise that Minnesota was the nineteenth state to enter the union after the original thirteen making it the 32nd union state

US States Flags - Mississippi Flag

• On December 10, 1817 Mississippi became the 20th State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of Mississippi is Jackson

• The three largest cities in Mississippi are Jackson, Gulfport and Biloxi

• The Mississippi state flag features three horizontal bands (one blue, one white and one red band)

• A square Union flag canton is featured in the upper left corner of the flag

• There are thirteen stars on the flag to symbolise the original 13 colonies

US States Flags - Missouri Flag

• On August 10, 1821 Missouri became the 24th State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of Missouri is Jefferson City

• The three largest cities in Missouri are Kansas City, Saint Louis & Springfield

• The two grizzly bears that are features on the state seal represent courage and strength

• The states motto " Salus populi suprema lex esto " which translates as "The Welfare of the People shall be the Supreme Law" is featured on the state seal in the center of the flag

• The roman numerals 'MDCCCXX' appear at the bottom of the state seal and refer to the date 1821 when the state of Missouri became part of the union

US States Flags - Montana Flag

• The capital city of Montana is Helena

• On November 8,1889 Montana became the 41st State to be admitted to the Union

• The three largest cities in Montana are Billings, Missoula & Great Falls

• The state flag of Montana was adopted in 1904

• The background of the flag is blue with the state seal in the center and 'Montana' written above the state seal

• The states motto " Oro y plata " which translates as " Gold and Silver "
  is written on a white banner at the bottom of the seal

US States Flags - Nebraska Flag

• The capital city of Nebraska is Lincoln

• The three largest cities in Nebraska are Omaha, Lincoln and Bellevue

• On March 1, 1867 Nebraska became the 37th State to be admitted to the Union

• Nebraska's state flag features the state seal on a blue background

• The date that Nebraska was admitted to the Union, March 1 1867 and the words 'Great Seal of The State of Nebraska' also appear on the flag

• The state flag of Nebraska was only designated in 1963

US States Flags - Nevada Flag

• On October 31, 1864 Nevada became the 36th State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of Nevada is Carson City

• The three largest cities in Nevada are Las Vegas, Reno and Henderson

• The background of the flag is Cobalt blue

• Two sprays of sagebrush (Nevada's state flower) are crossed to make half a wreath with a 5-pointed silver star in between the sprigs

• Over the top of the wreath is a gold scroll bearing the words "Battle Born" which refers to the state's entry on the Union side during the American Civil War

US States Flags - New Hampshire Flag

• On June 21, 1788 New Hampshire became the 9th State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of New Hampshire is Concord

• The three largest cities in New Hampshire are Manchester, Nashua and Concord

• The state seal of New Hampshire appears in the center of the flag on a blue background

• The states seal is surrounded by Laurel leaves and nine stars to symbolise that New Hampshire is the ninth US state

• The ship which appears in the middle of the state seal is the frigate 'Raleigh'

US States Flags - New Jersey Flags

• The two women depicted on the New Jersey flag are Liberty and Ceres

• The state of New Jersey is nicknamed the 'Garden State' because of its long agricultural tradition

• The coat of arms on the New Jersey Flag was designed by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere in 1777

• The capital city of New Jersey is Trenton

US States Flags  - New Mexico Flags

• On January 6, 1912 New Mexico became the 47th State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of New Mexico is Santa Fe

• The three largest cities in New Mexico are Albuquerque, Las Cruces & Santa Fe

• The red and yellow colors used on the state flag of New Mexico are the same colors used in the flag of old Spain

• In the center of the flag the ancient Zia sun symbol is featured which is symbolic of the unique character of New Mexico (The Zia Indians of New Mexico consider the Sun as sacred)

US States Flags - New York Flag

• On July 26, 1788 New York became the 11th State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of New York is Albany

• The three largest cities in New York are New York, Buffalo and Rochester

• The goddesses, Liberty and Justice hold the shield on the states seal

• At the bottom of the state seal, the New York motto 'Excelsior' which is Latin for 'Ever Upward' is featured on a white banner

• Liberty's left foot is placed on top of a crown which is a symbol of obtaining freedom from the United Kingdom

• The goddess, Justice is blindfolded. She holds a sword in one hand and a set of scales in the other hand, symbolic of impartiality and fairness

• An American bald eagle (the national bird of America) spreads its wings above on a globe

US States Flags - North Carolina Flags

• On November 21, 1789 North Carolina became the 12th State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of North Carolina is Raleigh

• The three largest Cities in North Carolina are Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro

• The date 20th May 1775 refers to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence

• The date 22nd April 1776 refers to the 'Halifax Resolve' which was a major landmark document in the states history

• In 1991 some minor changes were made to the flag, the first changes in over 100 years

US State Flags - North Dakota Flags

• On November 2,1889 North Dakota became the 39th State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of North Dakota is Bismarck

• The three largest cities in North Dakota are Fargo, Bismarck and Grand Forks

• The state flag of North Dakota was adopted in 1911

• It features a bald eagle holding an olive branch and a pile of arrows in its talons

• A ribbon in the eagles beak bears the words 'E Pluribus Unum' which is Latin for 'out of many, one' meaning one nation which is made up of many states

• There is a shield on the Eagles breast with thirteen stripes which symbolise the the original thirteen states of America

US State Flags - Ohio Flags

• On March 1, 1803 Ohio became the 17th State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of Ohio is Columbus

• The three largest cities in Ohio are Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati

• The state flag of Ohio is not rectangular unlike other state flags

• There are seventeen stars on the flag to symbolise Ohio as the unions seventeenth state

• The red and white bands on the flag represent the rivers and roads of Ohio

• The blue triangle symbolises the hills and valleys of Ohio

US State Flags - Oklahoma Flags

• On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th State to be admitted to the Union

• Each of the symbols on the state flag has a specific meaning:

• The flags blue background symbolises devotion

• The shield is symbolic of protection and defence

• The Olive branch and Peace pipe are symbols of peace

• The white crosses on the flag are symbolic of stars

• The capital city of Oklahoma is Oklahoma City

• The three largest cities in Oklahoma are Oklahoma City, Tulsa & Norman

US State Flags - Oregon Flags

• Oregon is the only US state flag to feature different images on the front and the back

• The year 1859 is featured on the flag, this is the year that Oregon was admitted to the union, it became the 33rd state

• The capital city of Oregon is Salem

• The 33 gold stars on the flag represent that Oregon was the 33rd Union state

• The flag is made up of the two state colors of Oregon: Blue and Gold

US State Flags - Pennsylvania Flags

• The state motto " Virtue, Liberty, and Independence " appears under the coat of arms in the center of the state flag

• The capital city of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg

• Pennsylvania admitted to the union on December 12, 1787 and became the 2nd Union State

• Several strength symbols appear on the state flag of Pennsylvania

• A ship is featured to represent how products made in the state were transported all over the world

• A red clay plough is a symbol of the Pennsylvania's rich natural resources

• Three golden sheaves of wheat represent the fertile soil and finally an olive branch and cornstalk cross their limbs beneath to symbolise peace and prosperity

US State Flags - Rhode Island Flags

• The state motto 'Hope' features on the state flag

• The capital city of Rhode Island is Providence

• A gold anchor is featured on the center of the flag surrounded by 13 stars as Rhode Island was the 13th State to be admitted to the Union (May 29, 1790)

• The three largest cities in Rhode Island are Providence, Warwick and Cranston

US State Flags - South Carolina Flags

• The states flag of south Carolina features a Sabal palmetto tree, the state tree of South Carolina

• The left hand corner of the flag has white crescent moon. Crescents were part of a banner that was carried by the South Carolina protesters of the Stamp Act in 1776

• The capital city of South Carolina is Columbia

• South Carolina was admitted to the Union on May 23, 1788 and became the the 8th Union State

US States Flags - South Dakota Flags

• South Dakota is commonly known as the Mount Rushmore state after its most famous tourist attraction, the mountain sculpture by Gutzon Borglum

• The capital city of South Dakota is Pierre

• South Dakota became the 40th State to be admitted to the Union on November 2, 1889

• The three largest cities in South Dakota are Sioux Falls, Rapid City & Aberdeen

• The state was named after the Dakota, Sioux tribe. Dakota being the Sioux word for "friends"

US States Flags - Tennessee Flags

• The three stars on the flag represent the three 'grand divisions' of the state: East, Middle, and West

• The circle surrounding the stars symbolises how the east, west and middle are bound together as one and the white color of the stars symbolises peace

• The capital city of Tennessee is Pierre

• Tennessee was admitted to the union on June 1, 1796 and beacme the Union's 16th State

• The three largest cities in Tennessee are  Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville

US States Flags - Texas Flags

• Texas is the only state in the US to fly the flags of six different nations: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States, and the United States

• The official state flag of Texas, called the Lone Star Flag, was adopted in 1845 when Texas became the 28th state of the United States but the 'six national flags of Texas' appear on buildings all over the state as well as on the reverse of the Texas states seal

• The capital city of Texas is Austin

US State Flags - Utah Flags

• Utah was admitted to the union on January 4, 1896 and became the 45th Union State

• The states flag also features the date 1847, this symbolises the date that the Mormons settled in Utah

• The States motto 'Industry' features on the state flag

• The Beehive which appears in the middle of the state flag symbolises endeavour and perseverance and its nickname is 'The Beehive State'

• The capital city of Utah is Salt Lake City

US States Flags - Vermont Flags

• The states seal features in the center of the Vermont flag

• A large pine tree (the state tree) is shown in the middle of the seal

• Vermont is known as 'The Green Mountain State'

• The capital city of Vermont is Montpelier

• Vermont was admitted to the union on March 4, 1791 and was the the 14th State to be admitted to the Union

• The area of the State of Vermont covers 9615 square miles

US States Flags - Virginia Flag

• The flag of Virginia features the state seal or emblem and the words of the state motto " Sic Semper Tyrannis " which translates as " Thus Always to Tyrants"

• The capital city of Virginia is Richmond

• The three largest cities in Virginia are Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Chesapeake

• Virginia was the 10th State to be admitted to the Union and became part of the union on June 25, 1788

US States Flags - Washington Flags

• Washington was admitted to the union on November 11, 1889 and was the 42nd State to be admitted to the Union

• The capital city of Washington is Olympia

• Washington is the only US state named in honor of a president

• The state flag of Washington is unique as it is the only state flag which features the image of a person

• Washington is the only state flag to have a green background, the color symbolises its nickname 'The Evergreen State'

US State Flags - West Virginia Flags

• West Virginia was the 35th State to be admitted to the Union and became part of the union on June 20, 1863
  The capital city of West Virginia is Charleston

• The flag features the state motto 'Montani Semper Liberi' which translates to 'Mountaineers Are Always Free'

• The largest cities in West Virginia are Charleston, Huntington and Parkersburg

US States Flags - Wisconsin Flags

• The flag of Wisconsin features a coat of arms on both sides

• Also shown is the year 1848 which is the date that Wisconsin was admitted to the Union

• The state seal which features on the flag features a beaver which is the state animal of Wisconsin

• The states motto 'forward' appears on the centre of the coat of arms

• A sailor and a minor also feature on the state flag to show the main industries of the state

• Wisconsin was admitted to the union on May 29, 1848 and was the 30th State to be admitted to the Union

US States Flags - Wyoming Flags

• The flag of Wyoming features a Bison which is the state animal

• The shades of Red, White and Blue used in the Wyoming flag are the same shades as the United States flag

• The capital city of Wyoming is Cheyenne

• Wyoming was the 44th State to be admitted to the Union and was admitted on July 10, 1890

• The famous Yellowstone national park is in the state of Wyoming!

• The emblem or seal on the flag show two male figures who represent the states livestock and mining industries

• The lamps which are shown burning on top of the pillars are a symbol of the Light of Knowledge

• The scrolls which are wrapped around the pillars show the words 'Oil, Mines, Livestock, and Grain' which are all major industries of the state of Wyoming