North Carolina State Flags

North Carolina became one of the English Thirteen Colonies, and, with the territory of South Carolina, was originally known as the Province of Carolina. The northern and southern parts of the original Province separated in 1729. North Carolina's economy is experiencing a shift away from tobacco, furniture and textiles to knowledge-based enterprises such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences. Before North Carolina became a state in 1789, it flew the flag of Great Britain.

History of the North Carolina State Flag?

On May 20, 1861, the day that the secession resolution was adopted by the state of North Carolina, an ordinance to adopt a state flag was presented by Colonel John D. Whitford. Colonel Whitford and his committee consulted an artist from Raleigh, William Garl Browne, for advice. The "Browne" flag design was not at all like that described in the original proposal but was, nevertheless, approved by the North Carolina Convention on June 22, 1861. The Browne flag was used throughout the civil war.

The flag was described: "as having a red field with two bars making up the fly; the top one blue and the bottom bar white. Centered on the red field was a white five pointed star. Above the star, in a semi-circular mold, was the date May 20, 1775 representing the much questioned "Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence." Below the star was the date, May 20, 1861 representing the date of North Carolina's secession from the union."

In March of 1885, a bill introduced by General Johnstone Jones was passed and the design of the North Carolina State Flag changed for the last time.

What is the Design of the North Carolina State Flag?

The design provided by William Jarl Browne and adopted by the Convention was described as having a red field with two bars making up the fly; the top one blue and the bottom bar white. Centered on the red field was a white five pointed star. Above the star, in a semi-circular mold, was the date May 20, 1775 representing the much questioned "Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence." Below the star was the date, May 20, 1861 representing the date of North Carolina's secession from the union.

The present flag design, though not the first, still keeps a similar style as the Browne flag. The flag's field was changed from red to blue. The top bar of the fly was changed from blue to red. The gilt letters "N" and "C" were placed on either side of the white star and gilt scrolls were added above and below the star. The scroll above still displays the date of the "Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence" but the date displayed in black letters on the lower scroll displays April 12, 1776, the date of the "Halifax Resolves" instead of May 20, 1861, the date of secession.

On the hoist side of the flag, there is a vertical blue bar. Inside of this bar are two golden scrolls with blue letters and numbers. The letters “N” and C” are centered between the two scrolls and are also gold in color. A white five-pointed star separates the two letters. On the opposite side are two horizontal stripes. The top stripe is red, and the bottom is white.

What is the Meaning of the Dates on the North Carolina State Flag?

The North Carolina State Flag has its initials and two dates which are important to the states history. The upper date, May 20th, 1775, commemorates the first meeting of North Carolina citizens that were declaring their freedom from Great Britain. The lower date, April 12th, 1776, commemorates the first official action by an entire colony calling for independence from Britain. The dates on North Carolina’s state flag are also featured on the Great Seal of North Carolina.

When was the North Carolina State Flag Adopted?

A state flag for North Carolina was not established until 1861 when the constitutional convention passed the ordinance of secession. This flag was used by North Carolina troops during the Civil War and existed until 1885 when a new design was adopted.

The North Carolina flag was formally adopted on March 2, 1885. Since, North Carolina has maintained the same flag for the last 134 years.

Who Designed the Present North Carolina State Flag?

The current North Caroline state flag changes were designed by General Johnstone Jones, who served in the Confederate army.

The North Carolina State Flag Salute?

The General Assembly of North Carolina adopted an official salute to the flag in 2007. It reads:

I salute the flag of North Carolina and pledge to the Old North State love, loyalty, and faith.