When and How to Fly Your State Flag

Fly your state flag on the date your state was admitted into the United States of America.  This is your state's birthday!  If you want to fly your state flag on the same pole as your American Flag, the US Flag Code states your American Flag has to be flown above your state flag and the State Flag should not be larger than the American Flag.  Check out the list below to find out your state's birthday and hoist your state flag proudly!

	Alabama - December 14, 1819 Alabama joined the Union of United States in 1819. The state did not have its own flag until its withdrawal from the union in 1861. The current flag of Alabama State was adopted in 1895.
	Alaska - January 3, 1959 Alaska adopted the American Flag as its own flag after the United States purchased it from Russia in 1867. Before 1927, Alaska did not have a flag. At this time, Alaska was still a territory controlled by the federal government and Alaska's citizens did not have voting rights in Congress. The Alaska flag was adopted in May 1927 and when Alaska became a state in 1959 it kept the design of the flag.
	Arizona State Flag - February 14, 1912 The top half of the flag of Arizona has thirteen red and yellow rays that represent the thirteen original states as well as the beautiful sunsets of Arizona. The blue color represents the Colorado River. The copper star rising from the blue in the lower half of the flag represents the massive copper mining industry in Arizona.
	Arkansas State Flag - June 15, 1836 The current Arkansas State Flag was adopted in 1923 and its symbols include a diamond, 25 white stars, and blue border. The diamond symbolizes Arkansas' diamond mining, the 25 white stars around the blue border symbolize Arkansas as the 25th state to join the Union. Arkansas was the third state to be formed after it was purchased from France in the Louisiana Purchase. Arizona was accepted into the Union on June 15, 1836.
	California State Flag - September 9, 1850 The symbols on the California State Flag include the white background which symbolizes purity, the bear symbolizes strength (the grizzly bear is the official state animal). The five-pointed red star is a symbolizes sovereignty and imitates the lone star of Texas. The red stripe at the bottom of the flag symbolizes the courage of the people of California.
	Colorado State Flag - August 1, 1876 The Colorado state flag colors represent the beauty of the state. White represents the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains and silver production. Blue expresses the clear blue skies over Colorado. Gold depicts abundant sunshine and the gold Colorado produces and red, Colorado’s fertile soil. White and Blue are the colors of Columbine, the state flower. Gold and White signifies the harmony and union of Colorado’s people.
	Connecticut State Flag - January 9, 1788 The three grapevines in the white shield represent the three colonies of Connecticut, New Haven, and Saybrook. The grapes symbolize the fellowship, peace, and philanthropy enabled by the abundance of wine and wine-making. Blue depicts wealth, truth, perseverance, loyalty and vigilance, while white represents peace and honesty. Yellow represents generosity, wealth, and the sun.
	Delaware State Flag - December 7, 1787 Delaware was the first state in the Union. The Colonial Blue on their flag represents the uniform of George Washington. The diamond depicts the state’s economy and history. Delaware farming and the importance of animals is represented by the Farmer and the Ox. The Militiaman pays tribute to those citizens who defended the rights of Delaware’s people. Shipping and ship building is also represented.
	Florida State Flag - March 3, 1845 The Florida State Flag depicts a cross that was inspired by the cross on which the Christian martyr, St. Andrew was crucified. The current flag was ratified in 1900, and features the seal in the center depicting the beauty of this seaside state and all it has to offer.
	Georgia State Flag - January 2, 1788 Georgia proudly shows they were one of the initial 13 colonies with 13 stars. Legislature, Executive and Judiciary are represented by the court of arms. The state motto, “Wisdom, Justice and Moderation” is printed on the banner above the court of arms. Georgia’s heritage is represented by the American Revolution soldier. “In God we Trust” represents the foundation on which Georgia was founded, recognizing God being over the state of Georgia.
	Hawaii State Flag - August 21, 1959 Hawaii is the only state flag that borrowed features from the United Kingdom. The eight stripes stand for Hawaii’s eight islands. The canton at the top right corner was borrowed from the British Flag.
	Idaho State Flag - July 3, 1890 The seal depicts a man and a woman representing equality, freedom and justice. The seal also contains images honoring Idaho’s mines, trees, farms and animals. The biggest river in Idaho, the Shoshone is also featured on the flag. The Latin words “Esto Perpetua” are featured, which is interpreted “Let it be Perpetual.”
	Illinois State Flag - December 3, 1818 The Eagle’s beak is holding a banner which has the state’s motto, “State Sovereignty, National Union.” The rock dawns the dates 1818, when Illinois became a state, and 1868, the year the seal was redesigned. The shield carried by the eagle contains 13 stars representing the 13 states that were in the union before Illinois joined, and the red and white stripes symbolize the American Flag.
	Indiana State Flag - December 11, 1816 Indiana is the 19th State to join the Union. The State Flag features a torch that is a sign of freedom, knowledge and light that brought liberty to the state. The 19 stars are divided into 2 clusters. The first cluster contains 13 stars representing the original 13 states to join the Union, and the second cluster of 5 stars symbolize the subsequent 5 states who later joined the Union. The bigger star at the top of the torch represents the State of Indiana.
	Iowa State Flag - December 28, 1846 The white background highlights the purity of the state’s history where people lived in peace and harmony. Blue represents justice and Iowa’s loyalty to the United States. The courage of Iowa’s citizens and the blood shed in her defense is depicted in red. The eagle shows Iowa’s joining the United States. The ribbon held by the eagle signifies the value placed on liberty and the basic rights of each person. The red letters of “Iowa” are in remembrance of the blood shed in Iowa’s defense in several wars.
	Kansas State Flag - January 29, 1861 The sunflower indicates Kansas as the “Sunflower State.” The rising sun represents the east. The river and steamboat boat symbolize commerce while the settler and plow depict agriculture. A wagon pulled by oxen travel west and a herd of bison are pursued by Native Americans on horseback. 34 stars announce that Kansas was the 34th state to join the United States. The Latin Words “Ad Astra Per Aspera” (“To the Stars Through Difficulties”) acknowledges their statehood. A piece of gold represents Kansas being carved from territory acquired by the Louisiana Purchase.
	Kentucky State Flag - June 1, 1792 The statesman (citizens in the cities) and frontiersman (citizens in the country) are encompassed by the words “United We Stand” and “Divided We Fall.” These words were borrowed from “The Liberty Song” and were adopted as the state motto. The goldenrod flower is the state’s flower and the colors in the Kentucky State Flag were adopted from the original Kentucky militia colors.
	Louisiana State Flag - April 30, 1812 The white pelican nurturing its young by tearing at its own breast (signified by the 3 drops of blood) symbolizes the self-sacrifice of the people of Louisiana and that the state would go to any extent to protect its people and land.
	Maine State Flag - March 15, 1820 The Maine State Flag features the same color blue as the United States Flag. The north star appears above Maine’s motto, “Dirigo” (“I Lead” or “I Direct”). The shield represents the white pine, which is Maine’s state tree (Maine is known as “The Pine Tree State.”) Also depicted is the moose – Maine’s official state animal – the sea and the sky. Maine’s agricultural history is shown by the farmer and the sailor represents Maine’s strong ties to the sea.
	Maryland State Flag - April 28, 1788 Maryland State Flag is the only flag that features the coat of arms of noble British families. Calvert was the family name of the Lords Baltimore who founded Maryland (their colors are gold and black). Crossland was the family of the mother of George Calvert, first Lord Baltimore. The red and white colors, with a cross bottony represents the Crossland family.
	Massachusetts State Flag - February 6, 1788 The coat of arms includes the state's motto in Latin: "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ("By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty"). The right hand holding a sword represents the first part of the motto, ‘by the sword we seek peace.' The hand clutches on the sword in the air with its blade facing up symbolizes the revolutionary war towards liberty.
	Michigan State Flag - January 26, 1837 The Michigan State Flag’s shield has a man standing over a bright yellow sun whose rays reflect on a lake. The man holds a gun in his hand representing peace in the land and the strength the state has to defend itself. The elk and moose are two important animals in Michigan and the eagle represents the United States. There are three Latin mottos present on the flag: “E Pluribus Unum” (“Out of many, one”), “Tuebor” (“I will defend”), and “Si Quaeris Peninsulam” (“If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you”).
	Minnesota State Flag - May 11, 1858 Minnesota adopted a new state flag on December 19, 2023. The dark blue represents the night sky and is in the shape of the state. The bright blue field represents water as Minnesota has over 10,000 lakes! The 8-point star represents Minnesota’s state motto "L’étoile du Nord" (“The star of the North”).
	Mississippi State Flag - December 10, 1817 Mississippi adopted a new flag January 11, 2021 and features a white magnolia blossom encircled by 20 white stars representing Mississippi as the 20th state in the Union. One gold star represents the Native American people who lived on the land before others arrived. “In God We Trust” appears on the bottom of the flag.
	Missouri State Flag - August 10, 1821 The Missouri State Flag dawns the red, white and blue colors that are symbolic of the former French control of the region. The 24 stars represent Missouri as the 24th state.
	Montana State Flag - November 8, 1889 Montana’s state seal portrays symbols of Montana's history and natural beauty. A sunrise shines over snowy mountains. A pick, shovel and plow stand above images of waterfalls, the Missouri River, mountains, trees and cliffs which all symbolize Montana’s mining and farming industries. A ribbon with the state motto, Oro y Plata (Spanish for "gold and silver") is displayed at the bottom of the seal.
	Nebraska State Flag - March 1, 1867 Nebraska was one of the last states to adopt a state flag. The seal depicts a train steaming in the background. A steamboat is moving on the Missouri River. Wheat and a cabin represent settling and farming, while the blacksmith works at his anvil. The motto “Equality Before the Law” and “Great Seal of the State of Nebraska, March 1st, 1867” are written on the seal.
	Nevada State Flag - October 31, 1864 Nevada's flag has a a five-pointed silver star (silver is the state metal) is positioned in the upper left quarter of the flag between two sprays of sagebrush that cross to form a half-wreath (sagebrush is Nevada's state flower, and Nevada is "The Sagebrush State"). The words “Battle Born” signify Nevada entered the Union during the Civil War.
	New Hampshire State Flag - October 31, 1864 The Great Seal of New Hampshire shows the USS Raleigh, a small and fast military ship, surrounded by a wreath of laurel. Nine stars signify New Hampshire as the 9th state to join the Union.
	New Jersey State Flag - December 14, 1787 The yellow color was personally selected by General George Washington in 1779, and warn by his troops in the Revolutionary War. The blue shield depicts three plows, head of armor of a knight, and a horse’s head. The horse is New Jersey’s state animal. The two females are Liberty and Ceres (Roman goddess of grain - a symbol of abundance). Liberty carries the liberty cap on her staff and Ceres holds a cornucopia filled with harvested produce. The banner reads "Liberty and Prosperity" (New Jersey's state motto).
	New Mexico State Flag - January 6, 1912 New Mexico’s flag boasts the colors of old Spain - red and yellow. The center design is that of the ancient Zia sun symbol representing a primary characteristic of New Mexico. The sun’s rays point in 4 directions, with 4 bars in each sunray. The Zia Indians of New Mexico regard the sun and the number four as sacred.
	New York State Flag - July 26, 1788 The shield displays vessels sailing on the Hudson River representing commerce and trade. The green field and rising sun represent a brighter beginning. The state Latin motto “Excelsior” (“Ever Upward”) is shown on the banner. Liberty steps on the queen’s crown which is a symbol of the fall of the British colonial empire. Blindfolded Justice holds scales in one hand and a sword pointing upward in the other symbolizing fair justice and punishment for evil actions.
	North Carolina State Flag - November 21, 1789 The North Carolina State Flag features 2 scrolls. The top scroll has “May 20th 1775” referring to to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. The bottom scroll has “April 12th, 1776” representing the Halifax Resolves.
	North Dakota State Flag - November 2, 1889 North Dakota’s state flag features an eagle symbolizing strength and power of the Union. The eagle is gripping an olive branch depicting peace and readiness to defend freedom and liberty. The 13 striped shield represents the original 13 states and the 13 stars portray the birth of a new nation. The symbol of hope, progress and a bright future is depicted as a sunburst. “E Pluribus Unum” (“One Nation Made up of Many States”) symbolizes the spirit of brotherhood, unity and togetherness.
	Ohio State Flag - March 1, 1803 The Ohio State Flag’s blue triangle represents Ohio’s hills and valleys. 13 Stars represent the original states of the United States, and 4 stars on the peak of the triangle represent Ohio being the 17th state to join the Union.
	Oklahoma State Flag - November 16, 1907 Oklahoma State Flag depicts a blue field that is symbolic of a flag carried by Choctaw Indian soldiers during the Civil War. The center shield with eagle feathers is the traditional battle shield of an Osage Indian warrior. Two symbols of peace - the peace pipe and an olive branch - cover the buffalo hide shield. Native American signs of the four white crosses symbolize high ideals.
	Oregon State Flag - February 14, 1859 Oregon’s state flag is the only 2-sided flag in the nation. A shield appears on one side depicting the history of the state and 33 stars representing Oregon as the 33rd state to join the Union. The referse side of the flag features the beaver – Oregon’s official animal.
	Pennsylvania State Flag - December 12, 1787 Pennsylvania's flag features the state coat of arms. The state motto appears on a ribbon at the base of the coat of arms - "Liberty, Virtue, Independence.”
	Rhode Island State Flag - May 29, 1790 White, gold and blue dawn the Rhode Island State Flag. The 13 stars represent the 13 original colonies and that Rhode Island was the 13th state to join the Union. The word “HOPE” is written in gold and is the state’s motto.
>	South Carolina State Flag - May 23, 1788 The crescent symbol depicts the silver emblem worn on the caps of South Carolina troops during the Revolutionary War, while the background color was the color of their uniforms. The state tree, the Sabal Palmetto, is also featured on the flag.
	South Dakota State Flag - November 2, 1889 The seal on the South Dakota Flag has the state’s nickname, “The Mount Rushmore State.” The symbols on the seal represent commerce, industry and natural resources. South Dakota’s motto, “Under God People Rule” is at the top of the inner circle on the seal. The year “1889” represents the year South Dakota became a state.
	Tennessee State Flag - June 1, 1796 Tennessee’s State Flag has 3 stars representing the grand divisions of the state – East, Middle and West. The stars are bound together by an endless circle.
	Texas State Flag - December 29, 1845 The flag of the Lonestar State of Texas features a single star which stands for all of Texas. This star is a symbol of the unity of the people as one. The 5 points of the star are believed to represent five characteristics of a good citizen: loyalty, prudence, fortitude, righteousness and broadmindedness. The color red stands for bravery, blue stands for loyalty and white stands for purity.
	Utah State Flag - January 4, 1896 The Utah State Flag boasts the date 1847, which is the year the Mormons came to Utah. It also boasts 1896, the year Utah became the 45th state. The beehive symbolizes hard work and industry. The Bald Eagle represents protection in peace and war. The sego lilies depict peace. The U.S. Flag banner represents Utah’s support to the nation.
	Vermont State Flag - March 4, 1791 The images present in the coat of arms for Vermont’s State Flag represent agriculture, wildlife and topography. Vermont’s motto, “Vermont; Freedom and Unity” appear across the banner.
	Virginia State Flag - June 25, 1788 On the Virginia State Flag, there is a picture of Virtus, a female personifying the Roman goddess of virtue which is shown holding a spear in her right hand with the sharp end facing down towards the earth. She is also seen holding a sheathed sword in her left hand pointing upwards as a sign of authority and the end of the war. She has her foot on a fallen king. The fallen crown symbolizes the release of the state of Virginia as a new republic from the control of Great Britain. The whip he is holding in his hands shows the acts of punishment that Virginia suffered and the broken chain depicts the liberation from Great Britain in economic development such as trade and expansions. In the design, there are words above and below the figures, the words are Virginia and sic semper tyrannis which is a quote derived from the events that took place in Roman history specifically, the slaying of Caesar.
	Washington State Flag - November 11, 1889 Washington is the only state flag that is on a field of green, which is appropriate for “The Evergreen State.” It is also the only state flag depicting an image of an actual person. The year 1889 stands for the year Washington joined the Union.
	West Virginia State Flag - June 20, 1863 West Virginia’s State Flag features its coat of arms with the inscription June 20, 1863, the date West Virginia was admitted to the Union. The words “MONTANI SEMPER LIBERI” are inscribed on the ribbon, which means “Mountaineers are Always Free.”
	Wisconsin State Flag - May 29, 1848 Winsconsin’s State Flag features the state coat of arms with the year 1848, the year Wisconsin was admitted to the Union. Also included on on the coat of arms is the state motto, “FORWARD.”
	Wyoming State Flag - July 10, 1890 Wyoming State Flag boats red, white and blue. The red border is symbolic of Native Americans who lived in Wyoming before the settlers came, and the blood of those who gave their life to claim the soil. White symbolizes purity and uprightness and blue signifies the Wyoming sky and mountains.