North Dakota State Flags
Who Designed the North Dakota State Flag?
Although the state flag of North Dakota, was inspired from another different flag it was Colonel John H. Fraine who introduced a resolution to the North Dakota Legislative Assembly to adopt a North Dakota state flag that would take the color, size and form of the regimental flag carried by the North Dakota Infantry in the Spanish American War and the Philippine Island Insurrection.
The only change to that state flag design was probably that the name of the state, North Dakota, was to be displayed on the scroll below the Bald Eagle Courtesy of the North Dakota Secretary of State.
What is the Design on the North Dakota State Flag?
The North Dakota state flag features a bald eagle holding an olive branch and a bundle of arrows in its talons. The eagle carries a ribbon in its beak saying "E Pluribus Unum" (Latin for "out of many, one"). A shield with thirteen stripes on the eagle's breast, and a fan-shape with thirteen stars is featured above the bald eagle. The name of the state - North Dakota - appears below the eagle on a red scroll. The design is centered on a field of dark blue.
The state flag conforms to the color, design, and size of the regimental flag that was carried by North Dakota Infantry in the Spanish-American War in 1898 and Philippine Island Insurrection in 1899. The 7 main colors in the North Dakota flag are Resolution Blue, Black, Torch Red, Congo Brown, Sunglow, Sunflower, and White.
The flag's official proportions are 33:26, significantly shorter than many other state flags; however, in practice, the flag is produced and sold in 5:3 ratios.
What does the North Dakota State Flag Symbolize?
The color blue forms a large part of the flag. The eagle symbolizes strength and power of the Union. The eagle grips in its claws an olive branch and arrows to represent peace and readiness to defend freedom and liberty. The 13-stripped shield represents the original 13 states of the U.S. while the 13 stars above the eagle connote the birth of a new nation. The sunburst over the 13 stars is a symbol of hope, progress and bright future for the North Dakotans. "E Pluribus Unum" are Latin for "One nation made up of many states" to symbolize the spirit of unity, brotherhood, and togetherness.
As you can probably tell, the North Dakota flag pays homage to the Great Seal of the United States by containing similar motifs. Just like the Great Seal, North Dakota’s eagle clutches an olive branch, meaning peace, and a bundle of arrows, showing war. The shield placed on the national bird’s chest displays the thirteen red and white stripes that, more often than not, represent the thirteen colonies. That golden fan atop all of these symbols embodies the birth of a new nation while thirteen shining stars dance beneath.
When was the North Dakota Flag Officially Adopted?
North Dakota was the 39th state to enter the Union and nicknamed the Peace Garden State. The flag of North Dakota is an almost exact copy of the unit banner carried by the state's troop contingent in the Philippine-American War. It was adopted by the North Dakota legislature on March 3, 1911, although the color was not precisely specified at that time.
North Dakota State Flag closely similar to the U.S. Coat of Arms?
In 1951, the North Dakota State Flag Commission to consider changes to the flag. The commission concluded the flag "too closely resembled the coat of arms of the United States and that the flag was not symbolic of North Dakota." The commission's conclusions were widely challenged and its suggested changes rejected. S.B. No. 265 was introduced during the 1953 session and contained the recommendation of the flag commission. That legislation was defeated in 1953.
