American Flags : Nevada State Flag

Nevada Flag History : On the state seal Nevada has an allegorical landscape, but it doesn't appear on the state flag. The design is pleasingly simple, and it results from a competition won by Louis Shellback. His winning design didn't contain the name of the state. It was added around the white star before the flag was officially adopted on March 26, 1929. During the Civil War Nevada became a state, and this reflected in the motto. Two sprigs of sagebrush, the state flower, complete the design on the flag.

American Flags : Nebraska State Flag

Nebraska Flag History : Nebraska is rich in prairies with very high fertility, and the crops of maize, barley, wheat, and many more are reflected in the sheaves on the left. In the background, a boat sails on the Missouri River, and a train runs along the foothills. In 1867 Isaac Wiles, who was a member of the House of Representatives, designed the seal. The motto of the state is on a scroll at the top of the seal, and the date of entry to the Union appears on the rim at the bottom. Soldiers serving in Europe during the First World War were sent the flag. The Daughters of the American Revolution, (with the addition of the state flower), adopted the flag ,and it was approved by the state legislature but without the flower, and in 1925 the flag was first hoisted before a football match at the University of Nebraska. It was not officially adopted by the legislature until 1963.

American Flags : Montana State Flag

Montana Flag History : When troops from Montana fought in the Philippine War of 1898, they carried a flag based on the old tradition of the state seal on a blue background, and there were additions of various inscriptions. In February 1905 this flag was adopted, but without the inscriptions. In 1864, Montana became a Territory, and the seal was seen for the first time the following year. It consisted of landscape of the Great Falls of the Missouri River, and the Rocky Mountains. On the original version various animals were seen but have since been removed. Montana has become a rich agricultural state due the extensive irrigation, which is indicated by the plough in the foreground. The mining implements remind us that the state is also abundant in minerals. The motto refers not only to the district's period under Spanish rule, but also to the minerals located in the state. In October of 1981 the military dimensions of the flag were changed to the more usual ones, and the states name was placed above the seal.

American Flags : Missouri State Flag

Missouri Flag History : One of the Daughters of the American Revolution designed the flag based on the state seal on the background of the French Tricolor, to recall Missouri's history as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The flag was not adopted until March 22, 1913. A year after Missouri achieved statehood in 1822, the state seal was adopted. Missouri was the twenty-fourth to join the Union which is shown by the stars around the outer rim and in the blue sky above the arms. On one half of the arms contains those of the U.S.A. and the other half of the arms divided into two quarters showing a grizzly bear and a crescent.

American Flags : Mississippi State Flag

Mississippi Flag History : The Confederate Battle Flag can still be seen in Mississippi. In 1894 it was incorporated into the state flag, and the remainder of the flag being similar to the Stars and Bars, except the upper bar is blue not red. When the Mississippi flag was drawn up, The Battle Flag was never mentioned by name. The history of the state leaves no doubt that this was the intention. In 1861 Mississippi was the second state to join the Confederacy. During the Civil War it used the Bonnie Blue Flag. The second state flag consisted of a white background containing a magnolia tree, with the Bonnie Blue Flag in the canton. In 1817 when Mississippi became a state it also adopted a coat of arms, and a seal. Both were based on a seal of the USA. The arms, nor the seal were used during the time Mississippi was in secession from the Union.

American Flags : Minnesota State Flag

Minnesota Flag History : In 1858, Minnesota replaced Maine as being the most northerly state. Another idealized landscape, with the rising sun in the background, as an Indian rides past a farmer cultivating the prairie. The opposite side of the flag was plain blue. Minnesota adopted this as the state flag in April 1893. There were some slight alterations, such as the seal was reversed, and was surrounded by flowers, and ribbons. The ribbons had the dates of 1893 and 1819. In 1957 the flag changed, which consisted of both sides now blue, with the seal in the center, meaning the seal was turned around again. The moccasin runs around the seal and the 19 stars. The state name appears below the central disc. Today there are movements in favor of changing the flag yet again.

American Flags : Michigan State Flag

Michigan Flag History : In 1837, Michigan flew its first flag, and achieved statehood the same year. The seal was based on the arms of the Hudson Bay Company. The shield shows a figure on shore of Lake Michigan with the usual rising sun in the background. To support the shield is a moose, and an elk, and between them is the crest of an American eagle. This is similar to that on the arms of the United States, and the motto above the eagle is also taken from the arms of the USA. The motto under the shield is a curious one, which translates as "If you are seeking a pleasant peninsula, look around you". Only the seal was used on the first state flag, but later flags added the coat of arms on a blue background. The present flag is double sided and was officially adopted in 1911.

American Flags : Massachusetts State Flag

Massachusetts Flag History : The arms and flag of Massachusetts are among the earliest. The state was involved in the Revolutionary War. In 1776 its white flag containing a pine tree, and the motto "Appeal to Heaven", was widely seen. Massachusetts had a state seal as early as 1629, which was redesigned in 1780. To represent the United States an Indian from the old seal reappeared on a blue shield together with a white star. A scroll containing the state motto surrounded a shield that was surmounted by a crest showing an arm holding a sword. In 1787 the coat of arms appeared on the state's militia flag, and was joined in 1908 by another blue shield on the reverse side, however this time it contained a green pine tree. The present-day official state flag was made identical from the reverse side in October 1971. On November 1, 1971 Massachusetts decided to revive its maritime flag. It's similar to the pine tree flag of 1776, but without the "Appeal to Heaven" motto.

American Flags : Maryland State Flag

Maryland Flag History : Maryland has a flag based on European heraldic tradition, and comprised of elements of the arms of the Crosslands and Calverts. The first state seal which on the front showed a mounted knight in medieval Calvert-Crossland full armour, was how the flag was derived. On the reverse side was the quartered shield of Calvert and Crossland, together with supporters, crown, a helmet, and mottos on a scroll and around the rim. This seal was used until 1776, and then it was revived in 1876. The arms of the Crosslands are red and white quarters with a central counterchanged cross with buttons at the end of the arm. The arms of the Calvert are six vertical bands of yellow and black, with a counterchanged diagonal running from the top left to the bottom right. The state flag was officially adopted in 1904.

American Flags : Maine State Flag

Maine Flag History :
One of the main industries of Maine is forestry, which produces paper and wood pulp. Wood was used mainly for shipbuilding in earlier times. The white pine of Maine is the chief feature of the state seal of 1820. Indigenous to the state is the moose, which is located at the foot of the pine tree. A farmer and a sailor are the supporters of the shield containing these emblems. They also remind us that Maine is both a maritime and an agricultural state. A glowing North Star, indicating that Maine was then the northernmost state of the Union. The usual practice during the Civil War was that arms are used on blue field. In March 1901 the second flag was adopted, and this time showing the pine tree in the center of the buff-colored background, and with the North Star in blue within the canton. Although this flag is still legal it is rarely seen. On February 24, 1909 the Civil War flag was adopted, and is used with the military fringe, cord and tassel. In July 1939, a third flag was adopted, a "merchant and marine" version which is only used for use at sea.

American Flags : Loisiana State Flag

Louisiana Flag History : In 1812, Louisiana achieved statehood, and the pelican made its first appearance on the state seal. No other information regarding the original seal is available. The pelican made a re-appearance on the state flag in 1861, when the state seceded from the Union. In 1864 Louisiana had rival governors, with the Federal governor using the word "Union" in his seal, and the Confederate one employing the word "Justice", both words being taken from the state motto.By 1902, a new state seal was created and in place of a natural pelican it was decided to use a heraldic one.

American Flags : Kentucky State Flag

Kentucky Flag History : A few years after the original thirteen colonies, Kentucky achieved statehood, and its seal of 1792 shows "two friends embracing".” They were accompanied by the name and state motto. An earlier version showed the two men standing on the edge of a cliff, and dressed as frontiersmen. Now the cliff has gone, and the dress is more modern, however not by much. Kentucky, like other Union states during the Civil War, had a blue flag with its seal in the center. In 1880 this was made the official flag of the National Guard. The state legislature decided to adopt a new flag, but not for 10 years after a new design was made. The state name appears in condensed gold lettering in an arc around the top half of the seal and goldenrod, two sprigs of the state flower form another arc around the lower half. In June 1962, legislation declared this official.

American Flags : Kansas State Flag

Kansas Flag History : The Kansas seal shows a ploughman in the foreground preparing his field for sowing. In the sky there are 34 stars, and the rising sun appears in the background. In 1861 the state was admitted to the Union. In 1903, the state flower was adopted, and the native wild sunflower from which the state takes its nickname. The seal was altered by size in March 1927, and the official flag was adopted with the sunflower above the seal, resting on a twisted wreath of blue and gold. On June 30, 1963 the name of the state was added to make the flag more identifiable. In parades by the National Guard and individual National Guardsmen, they use the same design on their uniforms as a shoulder flash.

American Flags : Iowa State Flag

Iowa Flag History : Iowa's flag seal dates from 1847, one year after the state was admitted to the Union. The seal depicts a flying eagle holding a scroll in its beak, together with a soldier holding a flag with the Cap of Liberty. It was this eagle that was taken from the seal and used on the flag. American soldiers in France were sent copies of their state flags by their families in 1917, except those soldiers from states such as Iowa, which had no flag. The Daughters of the American Revolution sought a flag for Iowa. The eagle and scroll was put onto a white field, together with the name of the state. Many people felt that state flags were unnecessary when the Stars and Stripes could serve as an expression of national unity. It wasn't until March 1921 for the present flag to be adopted by the state legislature. A member of the Daughters of the American Revolution suggested that Iowa's part in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, should be indicated by the addition of the French red, white and blue, and this idea was officially adopted.

American Flags : Indiana State Flag

Indiana Flag History : The state of Indiana officially has two flags, although the second is commonly used. This is because until 1901 there was no state flag, and it was decided to adopt the Stars and Stripes to serve the purpose. In 1916, the Daughters of the American Revolution ran a competition for the design of a state flag. The current design was done by Paul Hadley, and was approved by the state legislature in May 1917,and was adopted in 1955. The law of 1901 adopting the Stars and Stripes was never repealed, and therefore leaves the state with two official flags. Hadley's design shows the torch of Liberty surrounded by an outer ring of 13 stars, which represents the original states with inner ring of five stars to represent the next five states admitted to the Union. The name of the state is placed above a larger single star, which represents Indiana. The state seal of Indiana is extremely complex and hasn't been altered since its inception in 1801, a year after they became a territory.

American Flags : Illinois State Flag

Illinois Flag History : The American Eagle was already being shown on the seal of Illinois even when it was only a territory. Illinois was admitted to the Union in December 1818. The eagle holds in its beak a flying red scroll bearing the state motto "State sovereignty, national union", and stands on a rock with a leaning shield containing the Stars and Stripes. On the rocks are the dates 1818 and 1868, and behind the shield is a laurel wreath. During this time a suggestion that the two phrases of the state motto be reversed, was defeated. However, the person cutting the seal cleverly arranged the scroll so that the last two words of the motto are read first. The object of reversing the phrase was actually achieved. The Daughters of the American Revolution organized competition for the design of the state flag in 1915, and some members from Rockford, Illinois submitted the winning design. In July 1970, the name of the state was added beneath a fuller colored version of the state seal.

American Flags : Idaho State Flag

Idaho Flag History : Idaho was given state hood in 1890, and some aspects of its old Territorial seal were incorporated into the new state seal, which was designed by Miss Emma Edwards. On one side of the coat of arms, supported by the female figure of Liberty and Justice, and on the other side by a miner carrying a pickaxe and shovel. Included in the shield was landscape of the state tree, and the Western White Pine, and surrounding the shield were two horns of plenty, a wheat sheaf, some vegetation and rocks. Within a scroll of the crest was an elk's head with the state motto. To indicate that Idaho was a new state, one star at the foot surrounded the rim. In 1907 the first flag called for the name of the state to appear on a field of blue, and the seal appeared in full gold color. In March 1927, legislation authorized the flag, and thirty years later Miss Edwards' surviving (original) artwork was brought into use for both the flag, and the original seal.

American Flags : Hawaii State Flag

Hawaii Flag History : Captain Cook first landed in Hawaii in 1778, and one of his companions named George Vancouver revisited the islands in 1793. He presented the King with a Union Jack. Hawaii was under British protection until 1816, and took as its flag the Union Jack. Today it still makes up a part of the flag of the 50th state of the USA. After the British had gone the King kept the Union Jack in the canton of his flag. The rest of the flag is made up of varying numbers of red, white, and blue stripes. In 1845, the number of stripes became eight, and each stripe representing one of the main islands in the Hawaiian chain. This flag has remained constant during many changes in Hawaii's history.

American Flags : Georgia State Flag

Georgia Flag History : In 1733 Georgia was founded by the British in 1733, and named after King George II. It became a state after the Revolutionary War in 1776, and seceded from the Union in 1861. It was re-admitted in July 1870. Georgia is one of those states whose flag recalls the Confederacy,(Which used a version of the Stars and Bars during the Civil War). The Stars and Bars were the first Confederate flag. In a report of March 4, 1861, it was recommended by the “"Committee" on a Proper Flag for the Confederate States of America. This committee indicated that the flag should be "of a red field with a white space extending horizontally through the center, and equal in width to one-third of the flag, and the red spaces above and below to be of the same width as the white, and the union blue extending down through the white space, and stopping at the lower red space. Then in the center of the union a circle of white stars corresponding in number (seven) with the States in the Confederacy". This flag was used during the Civil War with the state seal within the seven stars, by the Georgian troops. In 1879 the new flag was similar, but without the seal and stars, and the blue canton extended to the full depth of the flag. On July 1,1956 the Stars and bars of the old flag were replaced by the Confederate Battle Flag.

American Flags : Florida State Flag

Florida Flag History : In 1513 on Easter Day, Florida was discovered by the Spaniards, and took its name at that time, which in Spanish is pascua florida. In 1845, Florida was admitted to the Union but seceded in 1861. At that time a new state seal was created. After the Civil War, the state's new flag appeared in the center of a plain white field. This showed a steamboat sailing past a setting sun and the Florida swamps with an Indian woman in the foreground. In 1900, the red cross of St. Andrew (the saltire) was added five years after it was used by Alabama. It was most likely taken from the Battle Flag of the Confederacy. There is no documented evidence to support this; it does seem more than a coincidence. When Florida re-admitted to the Union in 1868, the state used the plain white flag with the seal until 1900 when the current flag was ratified.

American Flags : Delaware State Flag

Delaware Flag History : Delaware was one of the thirteen states of the U.S.A and is named after Lord de la Warr. He was Governor of Virginia from 1610-1618. The coat of arms reflects the agricultural, which dates from 1777. The shield depicting a wheatsheaf, an ear of corn and an ox is supported by a soldier and a farmer. The crest of a ship in full sail is represented because of Delaware being a maritime state. The diamond shape was added after the flag was officially adopted in July 1913.

American Flags : Connecticut State Flag

Connecticut Flag History :

Connecticut troops used this seal on their flag during the Revolutionary War against the British in 1775. It is among the most ancient of American Flags. The words of the seal were changed around which was adopted in 1931 and is used today.

American Flags : Colorado State Flag

Colorado Flag History : The flag of Colorado was adopted in 1911. Its official specifications were mysteriously altered with that the red C with the yellow center should be much smaller and placed immediately next to the flagstaff. In March 1964, the flag was made "legal". Colorado is known as the Centennial State, or the Columbine State. The red C can stand for either of these or for the state name. Colorado was ruled by Spain for many years and the name meaning "red" in Spanish.

American Flags : California State Flag

California Flag History : In 1846 Californian settlers hoisted a flag with a red star to show that they wanted independence from Mexico. Ten years later the red star reappeared, together with the components of Today's flag, when a further attempt was made to form an independent state. The grizzly bear is seen as the ideal symbol of ferocity. During the earthquake of 1906 the original design for the flag was lost. A new one was made in 1911.

American Flags : Arkansas State Flag

Arkansas Flag History : The flag of Arkansas is a reminder of the Confederate Battle Flag with blue diagonals and white stars. The Daughters of the American Revolution put pressure on the authorities to adopt an official flag for the presentation of the battleship of Arkansas.
In the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, Arkansas was one of three states formed. The USA bought the land from France. The three states are represented in the center by the three blue stars. Arkansas was the twenty-fifth state to be admitted to the Union, which is represented by the twenty-five white stars. The Confederacy and the tricolor of France are both represented by the red, white and blue colors.

American Flags : Arizona State Flag

Arizona Flag History : Arizona was first visited by a Spanish Franciscan monk in 1539. His name was Marcos de Niza. Arizona became part of the United Mexican States in 1824, and was passed (after the Mexican War) to the USA in 1848. The name is believed to come from arida-zona, the Spanish words for "dry belt".
Arizona got it's flag in 1911, when it was designed for a rifle team competing in Ohio. Charles Harris (the Territories Adjutant-General) quickly designed the flag. Arizona was admitted to the union in 1912, and the flag was official in 1917.
Harris indicated his background information for the colors and design of the flag. The design is to show the sun setting over the desert, with the red and yellow representing the Spanish colors. The copper color in the center star is for the main mineral found in the state. The blue bottom represents the United States.

American Flags : Alaska State Flag

Flag Hiatory : Alaska lies at the northwestern extremity of the USA, and was discovered by Bering in 1741. A competition to design a flag was won in 1927 by Benny Benson, a 13-year-old who received $1,000 for his efforts. The territorial legislature made the design official on May 2nd of 1927. Alaska's northerly position was obviously Benny Benson's inspiration for his design, which shows the large North Star with the Great Bear below it. The only difference between today's flag and the original design is the color blue that is used. Benny chose a forget-me-not blue to match the state flower. However today's flag uses the OG Blue (Old Glory Blue) used in our national flag.

American Flags : Alabama State Flag

Flag History : The flag of Alabama is a reminder of the Confederate Battle Flag used during the Civil War. The current flag of Alabama is a crimson cross on a white field and was adopted in 1895. Although square, the dimensions are not laid down by law.

Country Flags : Afganistan

Location:	Asia
Capital City:	Kabul
Main Cities:	Kandahar, Herat
Population:	21,968,000
Area:	652,090 km2
Currency:	1 New Afghani = 100 puls
Languages:	Pushtu, Dari (Persian)
Religions:	Sunni Muslim, Shiá Muslim

Flag Description: The Afghanistan flag has three vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and green, with a gold emblem centered on the red band; the emblem features a temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left and right and by a bold Islamic inscription above.

Interesting Facts about Country Flags

When was the first flag made?
Ancient flags were made out of materials such as wood, metal and stone. The oldest preserved textile flag is a crude Roman cloth that was found in Egypt and historians figure it dates back to the third century AD.

Why do some country’s flags look the same as others?
Some flags look the same out of pure coincidence and other flags are similar because of the nation’s geographical location or religious beliefs. Many colonial flags, such as British Commonwealth countries are also similar to each other. Eg. Many flags of Islamic nations will use the color green to signify their religious beliefs while many British Commonwealth countries may have the British Union Jack incorporated into their national flag.

Why are the proportions of flags so different throughout the world?
There isn’t a correct or universal proportion for any flag as each one is unique. There are a few trends in flag proportions based on some influential flags. Flags based on the French flag copy its proportions of 2:3, German flags are 3:5, U.S. flags are 10:19, and Russian, Commonwealth of Nations, and communist flags use 1:2.

What is the most popular color in the world's flags?
Red is the most popular color being found on approximately 75 per cent of all national flags of the world. White is present on about 70 per cent of the flags and blue is common on approximately 50 per cent of the flags.

Why are flags hoisted on the left hand side?
It is just because it’s common to read from left to right, but in some Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, where reading is done from right to left, the hoist is on the right side of the flag.

Where is the biggest flag in the world and how big is it?
The largest flag ever flown was a flag of the USA which measured 255 ft. by 505 ft. (78m by 154m). It was hoisted vertically on cables across Hoover Dam to celebrate the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay. According to Dr. William Crampton, the largest flag that constantly flies is the flag of Brazil, in Brasilia; the country’s capital. This flag is 230 ft. by 328 ft. (70m by 100m).

Why do some national flags have a coat of arms on some versions of the flag but not on other versions?
Many countries with flags that display a coat of arms use that version as a state flag and they remove the coat of arms to make their civil flag, to be used by the country’s citizens. Examples of this include Spain and Ecuador.