Unique U.S. State Flags: A Glance

Although there is a constant debate about the nationalcircle bordered in white sits at the center of the blue
U.S. flag and how it should be treated and displayed,triangle and represents not only the "O" of Ohio, but
the U.S. state flags are often overlooked and somealso the state nickname: "The Buckeye State." Three
have incredible history and really interesting designs. Dored and two white horizontal stripes extend from the
you know much about your own state flag? Or howtriangular union to represent the American Flag.
about your state seal which is shown on so manyWashington: The Washington State flag, adopted in
state flags in the United States? Here is a glimpse into1925 with minor modifications in 1967, although simple in
the history and unusual aspects of some of our statedesign, has several unique characteristics. First of all,
flags!the flag has a field of green which is somewhat
New Jersey: The New Jersey flag was adopted inunusual and it holds the state seal, which shows a
March of 1896 and is somewhat unusual among itsportrait of President George Washington. The
counterparts because of its buff color. The NewWashington Flag is the only U.S. state flag that displays
Jersey state flag is also an important historical symbolan American presidential portrait. It is also required by
because it copies aspects of a battle flag used in thestate law that the emblem be stitched on both sides of
Revolutionary war. George Washington ordered thata given flag and if a company wishes to reproduce it,
the New Jersey soldiers wear a blue uniform with buffthey are supposed to send two versions to the
colored "facings." The flags for each regiment weresecretary of Washington State to garner approval.
then ordered to coordinate with the color of theBecause of the emblem requirements, this flag is the
facings so the buff colored New Jersey flag was born.most costly to produce out of all the U.S. state flags.
This flag also incorporates aspects of the New JerseyOregon: The Oregon state flag is unique because it
state seal including two women that represent libertyhas two different graphics on each side of its state
and agriculture, the blue shield which depicts threeflag design. The Oregon state flag was adopted in
plows to represent the farming industry and the helmet1925 and uses a simple color scheme of gold and
of a knight prepared for battle. The motto "Liberty andnavy blue. The obverse side of the Ohio flag, which is
Prosperity" acts as a border beneath the emblem withthe primary side, shows the seal of Oregon with the
the date 1776 immortalizing our nation's birth.words "State of Oregon" above and the year of
Ohio: The Ohio state flag, adopted in 1902, stands outOhio's statehood "1859" below. The reverse side of
among others because it is not rectangular in shape; inthe flag holds a graphic of a beaver, the Oregon state
fact, the Ohio state flag is the only state flag in the U.S.animal. Although the construction of a two sided flag is
to deviate from the more standard rectangular flagmore complex and more expensive, the Ohio flag's
shape. The shape of the flag has been described as adesign maintains its popularity.
"pennant" but it is actually a "swallow tail" because theThis is merely a sampling of the interesting history of
point at the end is bisected. The design incorporates asome of our beautiful and symbolic U.S. flags. Hopefully
large blue triangle, which acts as the field of the flag, tothis will inspire you to learn more about your own state
represent the hills and valleys of Ohio. 17 starsflag's history and if you are flying your American flag
decorate the Union, 13 to represent the original colonieswith pride, it might be time to invest in your own U.S.
and 4 to represent the states that followed, includingstate flag to show your civic pride!
Ohio which was the 17th state in the Union. A large red