Flag of Minnesota
{{Short description|U.S. state flag}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox flag
| Name = State of Minnesota
| Article =
| Image = Flag of Minnesota.svg
| Nickname =
| Use = 110000
| Symbol =
| Proportion = 3:5
| Adoption = {{start date and age|2024|5|11}}
| Design = A light blue field with a dark blue obtuse angular figure on the hoist side bearing a white eight-pointed star
| Designer = {{plainlist|
- Andrew Prekker (base design)
- Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission (final design){{Cite web |title=SERC – Next Minnesota State Flag |url=https://www3.mnhs.org/next-minnesota-state-flag |access-date=December 19, 2023 |website=www3.mnhs.org |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113234729/https://www3.mnhs.org/next-minnesota-state-flag |url-status=live }}
}}
| Noborder2 =
}}
The state flag of the U.S. state of Minnesota consists of a dark blue field representing the night sky and the state's shape, an eight-pointed star representing the North Star, and a bright blue field representing the state's abundant waters; the star is based on one prominently featured in the Minnesota State Capitol rotunda.
Since its inception in 1893, the flag of Minnesota has had four official designs. Of these, the first three included a seal depicting an American pioneer plowing land while a indigenous warrior rides past him on horseback. Initially created for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the first flag featured a white obverse side with the state seal surrounded by moccasin flowers, while the reverse was solid blue. The design incorporated significant dates and the state motto, "L'Étoile du Nord." The flag was modified with a major redesign in 1957 that standardized the color to royal blue on both sides, and simplified the central design for cost-effectiveness and durability.
In 1983, it underwent another redesign to update the state seal and lighten the blue field. This version of the flag retained the circular arrangement of stars and the state's name but faced criticism over its complexity, similarity to other state flags, and its depiction of Minnesota's history. These criticisms, particularly concerns about the depiction of Indigenous peoples and compliance with vexillological standards, led to calls for a redesign.
In 2022, the Minnesota Legislature established the State Emblems Redesign Commission to propose new designs for the state flag and seal. After extensive public input and deliberation, the commission selected the current flag design in December 2023. This new design was officially adopted on May 11, 2024. The flag has been praised by vexillologists and members of the public for its simplicity and distinctiveness. It has been criticized for a perceived similarity to the flag of Somalia and for its plainness, and it faced opposition from rural counties. This flag change occurred amid a series of other U.S. states changing their flags in the 21st century. {{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Mitch |last2=Almukhtar |first2=Sarah |title=How States Are Threading the Needle on Flag Design |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/17/us/us-state-flag-design.html |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=August 17, 2023 |archive-date=October 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010030145/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/17/us/us-state-flag-design.html |url-status=live }}
Design and use
File:Minnesota Flag Flying Outside State Capitol.jpg on Statehood Day]]
=Statute=
Minnesota statute 1.141 states that "The design of the state flag as certified in the report of the State Emblems Redesign Commission... is adopted as the official state flag."{{cite web |year=2006 |title=1.141 Official State Flag |website=Office of the Revisor of Statutes |url=http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?type=s&year=current&num=1.141 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329212556/https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/1.141 |archive-date=March 29, 2019 |access-date=October 7, 2007 |publisher=State of Minnesota}} The text of the law defers the details of the current flag's appearance and design to the Commission's report, which was dated January 1, 2024.{{cite web |title=The New Official Flag and Great Seal: Report of the Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission to the Minnesota Legislature and Governor |url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/5892/2023-state-emblem-redesign-commission-report.pdf |author=Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission |date=January 1, 2024 |publisher=Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State |access-date=November 16, 2024 |archive-date=December 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203214041/https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/5892/2023-state-emblem-redesign-commission-report.pdf |url-status=live }}
=Display and use=
The flag is to be flown over the Minnesota State Capitol from sunrise to sunset. When the flag is folded for storage, it should be folded in the same way as the national flag.
Mutilating, defiling, or casting contempt upon the flag, attaching any design to the flag, or using the flag for advertising were misdemeanor offenses under State Statute 609.40, excepting flags on written or printed documents. However, following the 1990 Supreme Court ruling United States v. Eichman, enforcement of this law has been deemed unconstitutional.{{Cite news |last=Mercer |first=David |date=2016-08-01 |title=States' flag-burning laws unconstitutional, but persist |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2016/08/01/states-flag-burning-laws-unconstitutional-but-persist/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802183300/http://thedailyrecord.com/2016/08/01/states-flag-burning-laws-unconstitutional-but-persist/ |archive-date=2016-08-02 |work=The Daily Record |location=Urbana, IL |publication-place=Baltimore, MD |agency=Associated Press |lang=en}}
== Folding History ==
The flag of Minnesota did not have an official folding technique until 2010, when instructions for folding the 1983 State Flag for storage and display were codified in law.{{Cite web |title=Chapter 333 - MN Laws |url=https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2010/0/333/#laws.2.1.0 |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=www.revisor.mn.gov}} The folding for storage technique was done in the same manner as the U.S. flag, but the display technique was developed by members of the Minnesota National Guard, and was so detailed that it was confusing to some.{{Cite news |last=Brunswick |first=Mark |date=May 4, 2010 |title=Let 'L'Etoile' shine when folding the flag |url=http://www.startribune.com/let-l-etoile-shine-when-folding-the-flag/92730624/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811223049/https://www.startribune.com/let-l-etoile-shine-when-folding-the-flag/92730624/ |archive-date=August 11, 2017 |access-date=August 11, 2017 |work=Star Tribune}} The original code (which was repealed in 2024 with the adoption of the new state flag) read:
{{Quote|text=Fold the flag four times lengthwise so that one section displays the three stars of the state crest and the text "L'Etoile du Nord." Fold each side behind the displayed section at a 90-degree angle so that the display section forms a triangle. Take the section ending with the hoist and fold it at a 90-degree angle across the bottom of the display section and then fold the hoist back over so it is aligned with the middle of the display section. Fold the other protruding section directly upwards so that its edge is flush with the display section and then fold it upwards along a 45-degree angle so that a mirror of the display section triangle is formed. Fold the mirror section in half from the point upwards, then fold the remaining portion upwards, tucking it between the display section and the remainder of the flag.}}
=Geometry and colors=
The flag has an aspect ratio of 3:5. The shape of the flag's dark blue region represents the shape of the state of Minnesota itself. The flag's white star is a regular octagram, having the Schläfli symbol {8/3}; the floor of the rotunda in the Minnesota State Capitol has an identical octagram design. The State Emblems Redesign Commission's report also contains an official construction sheet for the flag.
The flag uses three colors: dark blue, light blue, and white. Respectively, they represent the night sky, the waters of Minnesota, and Polaris, the North Star.{{cite web |title=History of the Minnesota Flag |url=https://thievesriver.com/blogs/articles/the-spectacular-history-of-the-minnesota-flag |website=Thieves' River Apparel |access-date=16 December 2024 |archive-date=December 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219090553/https://thievesriver.com/blogs/articles/the-spectacular-history-of-the-minnesota-flag |url-status=live }} The State Emblems Redesign Commission's report provided technical specifications for the flag's colors, alternately in the distinct Web color, CMYK and Pantone systems:
File:MN state flag construction set.svg
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
!rowspan="2" |Name !colspan="5" |RGB, or Web color !colspan="4" |CMYK !rowspan="2" |Pantone |
| Web color
!R !G !B !Hex code !C !M !Y !K |
|---|
| White
|style="background:#FFFFFF"| |255 |255 |255 |{{code|#FFFFFF}} |0 |0 |0 |0 |White |
| Night Sky Blue
|style="background:#002D5D"| |0 |45 |93 |{{code|#002D5D}} |100 |86 |35 |31 |648 |
| Water Blue
|style="background:#52C9E8"| |82 |201 |232 |{{code|#52C9E8}} |59 |0 |6 |0 |305 |
History
=1893 flag=
{{multiple image
| total_width = 250
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| caption_align = center
| header = Flag of Minnesota, 1893–1957
| image1 = Flag of Minnesota (1893–1957).svg
| caption1 = Obverse
| image2 = Flag of Minnesota (1893).svg
| caption2 = Reverse
| perrow = 1/1
}}
In 1891, the Minnesota legislature voted to sponsor an exhibition at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, and in response then governor William Rush Merriam appointed a board to supervise the preparations. The board comprised only men, but preparations specific to the showcasing of "women's work" were passed off to an all-women group of volunteers known as the Women's Auxiliary Board. Minnesota had no official flag at that time, and the Auxiliary Board formed a six-person committee to design a flag. The committee held a contest to design the flag, and 200 entries were submitted. In February 1893, Amelia Hyde Center was announced the winner and received $15 ({{inflation|US|15|1893|fmt=eq}}){{inflation/fn|US}} for her winning design.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leg.state.mn.us/webcontent/leg/symbols/flagarticle.pdf|title=The Origin of the Minnesota State Flag|last=Becker|first=William|website=Minnesota State Legislature|access-date=August 10, 2017|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184704/http://www.leg.state.mn.us/webcontent/leg/symbols/flagarticle.pdf|url-status=live}} The Board then successfully petitioned the legislature to officially adopt the design as the state flag.{{cite news |last1=Convery |first1=William |title=Who designed the Minnesota state flag? |url=https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2023/07/who-designed-the-minnesota-state-flag/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=MinnPost |date=July 10, 2023 |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915224224/https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2023/07/who-designed-the-minnesota-state-flag/ |url-status=live }}
Center's design was white on one side and bright blue on the other. In the center of the white obverse was the state seal wreathed in white moccasin flowers overlaying a ring of blue. The seal depicted a farmer using a plow while a Native American figure on horseback rides to the west. A red ribbon across the seal bore a motto, {{Lang|fr|L'Étoile du Nord}} (in French, "The Star of the North"). The years 1819 (establishment of Fort Snelling), 1858 (statehood), and 1893 (adoption of the flag) appeared in gold around the seal. "Minnesota" was written in gold under the seal, and 19 gold stars, representing the fact that Minnesota was the 19th state to be admitted after the original 13 states,{{cite web |title=State Symbols |url=http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/govser/GOVSER2.pdf |website=Minnesota House of Representatives |access-date=August 20, 2009 |archive-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224225136/http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/govser/GOVSER2.pdf%20 |url-status=live }} were arranged in clusters to form the five points of a star. Historians have noted the design was likely influenced by various flags used by Minnesota's infantry regiments during the Civil War, many of which consisted of a blue field emblazoned with either an American eagle or the state seal with a scroll.
The first flag was made of silk and was embroidered by Pauline and Thomane Fjelde, who won a gold medal for their creation. The flag was adopted on April 4, 1893.{{cite web|url=http://www.mnterritorialpioneers.org/info/flag.htm|title=Flag of the State of Minnesota|author=MN Territorial Pioneers, Inc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025215334/http://www.mnterritorialpioneers.org/info/flag.htm|archive-date=October 25, 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=February 20, 2011}}
While the reverse of the official design was a solid blue field,{{cite news |title=The State's Banner |work=St. Paul Daily Globe |date=March 31, 1893}} some examples of the flag, particularly those mass produced in the twentieth century, featured the seal design on that side as well.{{cn|date=January 2024}}
=1957 flag=
File:Flag of Minnesota (1957-1983).svg
The flag was redesigned in 1957 in advance of the 1958 state centennial. Most significantly, the field of both the obverse (formerly white) and the reverse (formerly bright blue) were made royal blue; the unification allowed flags to be produced from a single piece of cloth, reducing manufacturing costs and making the flag more durable in high winds. Separately, the white lady's-slippers depicted in the original were replaced with the pink-and-white lady's-slipper native to Minnesota.{{cite web|url=http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/history/mnstatehistory/state_flag_of_minnesota.html |title=The State Flag of Minnesota |access-date=October 7, 2007 |publisher=Minnesota State Mankato |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006170534/http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/history/mnstatehistory/state_flag_of_minnesota.html|archive-date=October 6, 2007|url-status=dead}}
The central design featured three concentric circular fields. The innermost field was filled with a simplified version of the state seal. Around the seal was a ring of blue ornamented with a wreath of pink-and-white lady's-slippers and a red ribbon, upon which are written the years 1819 and 1893 (for the establishment of Fort Snelling and the first Minnesota flag, respectively). At the top of the blue ring the year 1858 is set in gold. Around the blue ring is a white ring upon which 19 stars form five radially arrayed groups. Each group contained four stars except for the top-center group, which had two stars of standard size and one larger than the rest, representing the North Star. The number 19 was chosen to symbolize the fact that Minnesota was the 19th state to enter the Union after the original 13.{{cite web |title=State Flag |url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/about-minnesota/state-symbols/state-flag/ |website=Minnesota Secretary of State |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=December 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216033622/https://www.sos.state.mn.us/about-minnesota/state-symbols/state-flag/ |url-status=live }} The larger star at the top symbolized the North Star. Between the bottom two groups, the state's name was set in red. Both the blue ring and the white ring were bordered with gold.
File:Proposed flag of Minnesota (1957).svg
In 1957, another flag, designed by former adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard Joseph Nelson, was proposed and endorsed by Rep. John Tracy Anderson. It depicts 19 stars forming the shape of a larger star, inside a vertical triband of red on the left, white in the center, and blue on the right. {{cite web |url=https://mnflag.tripod.com/anderson.html |title=Proposal for a new Minnesota state flag (1957) |author= |date= |access-date=27 May 2023 |archive-date=June 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617203644/https://mnflag.tripod.com/anderson.html |url-status=live }}
=1983 flag=
File:Flag_of_Minnesota_(1983-2024).svg
In 1983, the seal was redrawn, and the color field was lightened from a royal blue to a medium blue; the shade could vary in different flag makers' designs.
The flag was rectangular and featured a design emblazoned in the center of a field of blue. According to statute, the flag was bordered with gold and finished with gold fringe, but this was rarely used and more common on indoor flags.{{cn|date=January 2024}}
Several changes were also made to the seal in this year. The Indigenous figure was turned to face farther south, more towards the farmer. Also, the Mississippi River and St. Anthony Falls were added to the seal to note the importance of these resources in transportation, industry, and the settling of the state. Beyond the falls on the seal, the state added three pine trees representing the state tree (the Norway pine) and the three pine regions of the state: the St. Croix, Mississippi, and Lake Superior.{{cite web |date=1983 |title=Minnesota Statutes – 1.135 State Seal |url=https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=1.135 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609183928/https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=1.135 |archive-date=June 9, 2012 |access-date=June 9, 2012 |work=Office of the Revisor of Statutes}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=About the Minnesota Flag, its adoption and history |url=http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/mn_flag.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811222037/https://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/mn_flag.htm |archive-date=August 11, 2017 |access-date=August 11, 2017 |website=Netstate}} Around the seal, the flag still showed three notable years in Minnesota history (1819, 1858, and 1893), the pink-and-white lady's slipper, and 19 stars placed the same as in 1957.
==Response to the 1983 flag==
{{see also|Seal of Minnesota#Criticism of the 1858 seal}}
The 1983 revision of the flag came under growing criticism. Longstanding frustration with its illegibility,{{cite web |author=Kaye |first=Ted |title=2001 State/Provincial Flag Survey |url=http://www.nava.org/flag-design/survey/state-provincial-survey-2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223204701/http://www.nava.org/flag-design/survey/state-provincial-survey-2001 |archive-date=February 23, 2015 |website=North American Vexillological Association}} similarity to other state flags, and failure to comply with vexillological best practices.{{cite journal |last1=Knowlton |first1=Steven A. |title=A Sky-Blue Flag for the Land of the Sky-Tinted Water |journal=Vexillum |volume= |issue=26 |publisher=North American Vexillological Association |date=June 2024 |pages=20–30}} This was joined by concerns that the image depicted in the seal offered a negationist view of Minnesota's settlement by Europeans that concealed the violence committed against Indigenous peoples.{{cite web |last=Harrington |first=Judith |date=July 2, 2015 |title=As long as we're discussing flags, what about Minnesota's? |url=https://www.startribune.com/as-long-as-we-re-discussing-flags-what-about-minnesota-s/311320071 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107133050/https://www.startribune.com/as-long-as-we-re-discussing-flags-what-about-minnesota-s/311320071/ |archive-date=January 7, 2023 |website=Star Tribune}}{{cite web |last=Grindy |first=Mark |date=July 3, 2020 |title=Racist state flags need to go — Minnesota's is next |url=https://www.startribune.com/racist-state-flags-need-to-go-minnesota-s-is-next/571607322 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210082047/https://www.startribune.com/racist-state-flags-need-to-go-minnesota-s-is-next/571607322/ |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |website=Star Tribune}}
=Proposed North Star Flag=
File:Minnesota North Star Flag.svg
The North Star Flag design was created in 1988 by Lee Herold and Reverend William Becker.{{cite news |last=Derosier |first=Alex |date=March 25, 2022 |title=Minnesota's state flag doesn't get much love. Why it vexes experts who want it changed |url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/minnesota/minnesotas-state-flag-doesnt-get-much-love-why-it-vexes-experts-who-want-it-changed |access-date=November 23, 2023 |newspaper=Duluth News Tribune |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221225518/https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/minnesota/minnesotas-state-flag-doesnt-get-much-love-why-it-vexes-experts-who-want-it-changed |url-status=live }} The flag has the colors of green, representing forests, white, representing winter, and blue, representing water. A yellow star in the top left represents the North Star and the state's motto, {{lang|fr|L'Étoile du Nord}}.
Herold had opposed the official state flag since its creation when he was in high school.{{Cite news |last=Huppert |first=Boyd |date=June 26, 2023 |title=Minnesota to get a new state flag. Meet the man who spent decades trying to change it. |work=KARE 11 |url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/land-of-10000-stories/minnesota-to-get-a-new-state-flag-meet-the-man-who-spent-decades-trying-to-change-it-rochester/89-8ae8020f-76ab-417d-98a2-7e3fd2512580 |access-date=November 23, 2023}} He presented the proposal to state legislators in 1989, supported by Republican representative Gil Gutknecht.{{Cite news |last=Croman |first=John |date=March 23, 2022 |title=Minnesota lawmakers ponder changing flag and seal |work=KARE 11 |url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/minn-lawmakers-ponder-changing-state-flag/89-6a41a50d-a7cb-430f-bb8b-5bb511ecba1e |access-date=November 23, 2023}} However, the North Star Flag design was never officially adopted by the state. In 1995, he left his career as an accountant and opened a flag store, Herold Flags, in Rochester, Minnesota.
=2024 flag=
==2023 Redesign Commission==
On March 22, 2022, two Democratic-Farmer-Labor members of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Mike Freiberg and Peter Fischer, introduced a bill to redesign the state's flag and seal. Fischer began supporting a flag redesign in 2017 after a group of high school students raised the issue to him. The law outlines specific guidelines for the redesign, stipulating that the new designs "must accurately and respectfully reflect Minnesota's shared history, resources, and diverse cultural communities" and that symbols representing only a single community or person are prohibited. It was proposed as part of a state budget bill and was opposed by Republican representatives, who viewed it as a low priority.{{Cite web |date=April 13, 2022 |title=New State Flag? Proposal At Minnesota Capitol Would Move To Change It |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/new-state-flag-proposal-at-minnesota-capitol-would-move-to-change-it/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=CBS News-Minnesota |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220145626/https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/new-state-flag-proposal-at-minnesota-capitol-would-move-to-change-it/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Brooks |first=Jennifer |date=April 23, 2022 |title=Oh say can you see a better flag for Minnesota |work=Star Tribune |location=Minneapolis |url=https://www.startribune.com/oh-say-can-you-see-a-better-flag-for-minnesota/600167405/?refresh=true |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123090215/https://www.startribune.com/oh-say-can-you-see-a-better-flag-for-minnesota/600167405/?refresh=true |url-status=live }}
In May 2023, as a part of the annual state budget, the Minnesota Legislature established the State Emblems Redesign Commission, tasked with proposing new designs for Minnesota's flag and seal.{{cite web|url=https://www.leg.mn.gov/leg/cc/Default?type=bill&year=2023-93&bill=HF-1830|title=HF1830|website=Office of the Revisor of Statutes|year=2023|access-date=May 24, 2023|archive-date=December 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221225341/https://www.leg.mn.gov/leg/cc/Default?type=bill&year=2023-93&bill=HF-1830|url-status=live}} The legislation dictates that, barring any contrary legislation, the chosen flag design will be adopted as the state flag on May 11, 2024.{{cite web |title=HF 1830 4th Engrossment |website=MN Revisor's Office |url=https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF1830&type=bill&version=4&session=ls93&session_year=2023&session_number=0 |ref={{sfnref |MN Revisor's Office}} |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721035730/https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF1830&type=bill&version=4&session=ls93&session_year=2023&session_number=0 |url-status=live }} The committee has 13 members, including representatives of the Indian Affairs Council, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, and the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, along with three members of the general public appointed by Governor Tim Walz.{{Cite news |last=Cummings |first=Caroline |date=June 27, 2023 |title=Group will put forward a new design for Minnesota state seal, flag by next year |work=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/commission-set-to-create-new-vision-for-minnesotas-flag/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123090217/https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/commission-set-to-create-new-vision-for-minnesotas-flag/ |url-status=live }} The committee held its first meeting on September 5.{{Cite news |last1=Fitzgerald |first1=Kilat |last2=Henry |first2=Ben |date=September 5, 2023 |title=Commission on redesigning Minnesota's flag holds first meeting |work=KSTP News |url=https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/commission-on-redesigning-minnesotas-flag-to-have-first-meeting-tuesday-morning/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=December 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225094926/https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/commission-on-redesigning-minnesotas-flag-to-have-first-meeting-tuesday-morning/ |url-status=live }}
In October 2023, the committee received public input to suggest flag designs. A total of 2,123 flag and 398 seal submissions were received.{{cite news |last1=Swanson |first1=Steve |last2=James |first2=Derek |date=November 8, 2023 |title=Whole lotta loons: 2,000-plus submissions unveiled for new Minnesota state flag, seal |website=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/new-minnesota-state-flag-seal-submissions-unveiled/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917160509/https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/new-minnesota-state-flag-seal-submissions-unveiled/ |url-status=live }} Common themes included the state bird (the loon), lakes and rivers, and the North Star.{{cite news |last=Willingham |first=AJ |date=November 14, 2023 |title=Minnesota has gotten more than 2,500 design submissions for its new state flag. There are a lot of loons |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/14/us/minnesota-state-flag-submissions-cec/index.html |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=CNN |archive-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123090220/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/14/us/minnesota-state-flag-submissions-cec/index.html |url-status=live }} More various entries included a photograph of a dog, a photograph of a wooden floor, national flags and imitations of them such as those of the Soviet Union, psychedelic monkey drawings, and a design depicting a loon shooting lasers from its eyes similar to the Laser Kiwi flag proposed during the 2015–2016 New Zealand flag referendums.{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=Jennifer |date=November 9, 2023 |title=Land of 10,000 flags (and loons with laser eyes) |work=Star Tribune |location=Minneapolis |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-flag-redesign-loons-laser-eyes/600318415/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221220808/https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-flag-redesign-loons-laser-eyes/600318415/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Hoff |first=Jennifer |date=November 8, 2023 |title=For better or worse, thousands of new Minnesota flag designs are publicly released |work=KARE 11 |url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/thousands-of-new-mn-flag-designs-are-publicly-released/89-7834b03a-2f8e-464b-8266-ba65dc8b42dd |access-date=November 23, 2023}} Several entries were just unchanged images of the existing flag of Minnesota.
On November 21, 2023, the commission met in the Minnesota Senate Building to review the selections.{{cite news |last=Derosier |first=Alex |date=November 21, 2023 |title=Panel picks 6 finalists for redesigned MN state flag — and none have loons |work=Pioneer Press |url=https://www.twincities.com/2023/11/21/panel-picks-6-finalists-for-redesigned-minnesota-state-flag-and-none-have-loons/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107130518/https://www.twincities.com/2023/11/21/panel-picks-6-finalists-for-redesigned-minnesota-state-flag-and-none-have-loons/ |url-status=live }} Despite having planned to select five flag designs, the group chose six finalists.{{Cite news |last=Hoff |first=Jennifer |date=November 21, 2023 |title=Here are the six finalists for a new Minnesota flag |work=KARE 11 |url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/here-are-the-top-six-finalists-for-a-new-minnesota-flag/89-a4814389-aa71-4401-b69a-1176b59a1a36 |access-date=November 23, 2023}} All the finalists featured a star motif, the colors blue and white; none featured the loon, which the committee believed represented only part of Minnesota.{{Cite news |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=November 21, 2023 |title=Here are the six finalists for a new Minnesota state flag and five for a new state seal |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-emblems-redesign-commission-aims-to-pick-five-finalists-tuesday-for-new-flag-seal/600321457/?refresh=true |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114214738/https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-emblems-redesign-commission-aims-to-pick-five-finalists-tuesday-for-new-flag-seal/600321457/?refresh=true |url-status=live }} Herold attended the hearing, but his North Star Flag design was not a finalist.{{Cite news |last=Stolle |first=Matthew |date=November 22, 2023 |title=Six finalists are picked to be the new state flag; North Star flag was not one of them |work=Post-Bulletin |url=https://www.postbulletin.com/news/minnesota/six-finalists-are-picked-to-be-the-new-state-flag-north-star-flag-was-not-one-of-them |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113190706/https://www.postbulletin.com/news/minnesota/six-finalists-are-picked-to-be-the-new-state-flag-north-star-flag-was-not-one-of-them |url-status=live }} On December 13, the number of flags was narrowed to three, F2100, F944, and F1953.{{Cite web |last=Gorham |first=Quinn |date=December 13, 2023 |title=A closer look at each of Minnesota's three flag finalists |url=https://www.kttc.com/2023/12/13/closer-look-each-minnesotas-three-flag-finalists/ |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=KTTC News |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117200130/https://www.kttc.com/2023/12/13/closer-look-each-minnesotas-three-flag-finalists/ |url-status=live }}
File:Minnesota flag submission F1953.svg|F1953 – Designed by Andrew Prekker, selected as the basis of the final design on December 15{{cite news |first=Dana |last=Ferguson |date=28 November 2023 |title=Minnesota North Star motto inspired Luverne designer's Minnesota flag entry that is now among 6 finalists |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/11/28/minnesota-state-flag-redesign-finalists-luverne-designer |access-date=4 December 2023 |work=MPR News |archive-date=December 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222235247/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/11/28/minnesota-state-flag-redesign-finalists-luverne-designer |url-status=live }}
File:Minnesota flag submission F2100.svg|F2100 – Designed by John Muller, eliminated on December 15{{cite news |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/12/04/flag-designer-living-in-lone-star-state-hopes-to-win-over-north-star-state-panel |title=Flag designer living in Lone Star state hopes to win over North Star state panel |first=Dana |last=Ferguson |date=4 December 2023 |work=MPR News |access-date=13 December 2023 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213215655/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/12/04/flag-designer-living-in-lone-star-state-hopes-to-win-over-north-star-state-panel |url-status=live }}
File:Minnesota flag submission F944.svg|F944 – The "Mirror of the Sky Flag", designed by Todd and Peter Pitman, eliminated on December 15{{cite web |url=https://flag.mn/ |title=Mirror of the Sky – A new flag for Minnesota |first1=Todd |last1=Pitman |author2=Peter Pitman |date= |access-date=24 November 2023 |archive-date=December 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216085350/https://flag.mn/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/11/22/meet-3-people-whose-designs-are-finalists-for-the-new-minnesota-flag |title=Meet 3 people whose designs are finalists for the new Minnesota flag |first1=Cathy |last1=Wurzer |author2=Brian Bakst |author3=Alanna Elder |author4=Estelle Timar-Wilcox |date=22 November 2023 |work=MPR News |access-date=26 November 2023 |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223180343/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/11/22/meet-3-people-whose-designs-are-finalists-for-the-new-minnesota-flag |url-status=live }}
File:Minnesota flag submission F29.svg|F29 – "Starflake",{{Cite web |last1=Wittnebel |first1=Aaron |last2=Olson |first2=Bjorn |last3=Drazkowski |first3=Steve |date=December 29, 2023 |title=Minority Report |url=https://21588026.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21588026/SERC%20Minority%20Report%20FINAL.pdf |access-date=January 3, 2024 |website=Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission |page=10}} designed by Brandon Hundt, eliminated on December 13{{cite web |last=Hundot |first=Brandon |date=26 October 2015 |title=The latest design for a new Minnesota flag is inspired by l'etoile du nord |url=https://brandonhundt.com/the-latest-design-for-a-new-minnesota-flag-is-inspired-by-letoile-du-nord/ |access-date=24 November 2023 |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208021356/https://brandonhundt.com/the-latest-design-for-a-new-minnesota-flag-is-inspired-by-letoile-du-nord/ |url-status=live }}
File:Minnesota flag submission F1154.svg|F1154 – Designed by Ross Bruggink, eliminated on December 13{{cite web |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/11/30/designers-state-seal-entry-could-be-last-hope-for-loonloving-minnesotans |title=Designer's state seal entry could be last hope for loon-loving Minnesotans |first=Dana |last=Ferguson |date=30 November 2023 |work=MPR News |access-date=13 December 2023 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213222841/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/11/30/designers-state-seal-entry-could-be-last-hope-for-loonloving-minnesotans |url-status=live }}
File:Minnesota flag submission F1435.svg|F1435 – Designed by Sarah Agaton Howes, eliminated on December 13{{cite web |url=https://minnesotanativenews.org/a-flag-that-unites-us-mn-redesigns-state-flag%EF%BF%BC%EF%BF%BC/ |title=A Flag That Unites Us – MN Redesigns State Flag |first=Emma |last=Needham |date=22 November 2023 |work=Minnesota Native News |access-date=24 November 2023 |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221091622/https://minnesotanativenews.org/a-flag-that-unites-us-mn-redesigns-state-flag%EF%BF%BC%EF%BF%BC/ |url-status=live }}
At the time of the redesign, multiple American states were considering changing their flags. Utah had replaced its flag to be more distinctive the prior year, and Mississippi had replaced its flag in 2021.{{cite web |last1=Murdock |first1=Hannah |title=Minnesota unveiled a new flag. What states have gotten new flags in recent years? |url=https://www.deseret.com/2023/12/20/24009265/minnesota-new-state-flag/ |website=Deseret News |access-date=24 July 2024 |date=December 20, 2023 |quote=Minnesota is the latest state to opt for a more minimalistic state flag. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227061315/https://www.deseret.com/2023/12/20/24009265/minnesota-new-state-flag |archive-date=December 27, 2023|url-status=live}}
==Final design==
On December 15, 2023, the committee decided that the final flag would be a variant of F1953, eliminating F2100 and F944.{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2023 |title=New Minnesota state flag selected |url=https://www.fox9.com/news/new-minnesota-state-flag-selected |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=FOX 9 |language=en-US |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119073931/https://www.fox9.com/news/new-minnesota-state-flag-selected |url-status=live }} By December 19, 2023, after much deliberation on specific design aspects, the commission had settled on five variations of F1953 to be the subject of the final vote.{{cite web |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/12/19/commission-finalizes-new-minnesota-state-flag/ |title=Commission finalizes new Minnesota state flag |author=Madison McVan |date=19 December 2023 |work=Minnesota Reformer |access-date=29 July 2024 |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729232214/https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/12/19/commission-finalizes-new-minnesota-state-flag/ |url-status=live }}File:Rotunda floor of the Minnesota State Capitol showing 8-pointed star.jpg rotunda]]
File:Flag of Minnesota.svg|A2 (final design)
File:Minnesota flag submission F1953 - B2.svg|B2
File:Minnesota flag submission F1953 - C2.svg|C2
File:Minnesota flag submission F1953 - D2.svg|D2
File:Minnesota flag submission F1953 - E2.svg|E2
A2 was selected by the commission as the finalized design on December 19, 2023, with 11 out of 12 votes (B2 having received 1 vote). Thus, the new state flag consisted of an all light-blue banner with a simplified shape of Minnesota on the hoist in dark blue and a simplified eight-pointed star in the center of the shape.{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2023 |title=This is Minnesota's new flag |url=https://www.fox9.com/news/this-is-minnesotas-new-flag-and-seal |access-date=December 19, 2023 |website=FOX 9 |language=en-US |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119073918/https://www.fox9.com/news/this-is-minnesotas-new-flag-and-seal |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2023 |title=Minnesota's new state flag design is finalized – CBS Minnesota |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesotas-new-state-flag-design-is-finalized/ |first1=Caroline |last1=Cummings |first2=Anthony |last2=Bettin |access-date=December 19, 2023 |website=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119211157/https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesotas-new-state-flag-design-is-finalized/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news|work=Minnesota Public Radio|title=Let it fly: Minnesota officially has a new flag|first=Dana|last=Ferguson|date=December 19, 2023|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/12/19/new-minnesota-flag-final-design|quote="What I've struggled with is the stripes, the stars and stripes, it feels predictable, it doesn't necessarily feel different," said commission member Kate Beane about the original concept as she advocated for the simpler design. "I understand the nod to agriculture. I think having the outline of the state is a nod to the land base and is a nod to agriculture."|archive-date=January 17, 2024|access-date=December 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117071511/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/12/19/new-minnesota-flag-final-design|url-status=live}} According to the commission, the eight-pointed star is a design used by indigenous and immigrant cultures, forms the shape of the letter M, and matches a design on the floor of the Capitol's rotunda that points north.{{cite journal |author1=State Emblems Redesign Commission |title=The New Official Flag and Great Seal |journal=Report of the Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission to the Minnesota Legislature and Governor |date=January 1, 2024 |page=20 |url=https://serc.mnhs.org/hubfs/SERC%20Report%20FINAL%20v01242024%20WOMR.pdf?hsLang=en |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |access-date=May 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511185944/https://serc.mnhs.org/hubfs/SERC%20Report%20FINAL%20v01242024%20WOMR.pdf?hsLang=en |url-status=live }}
==Response to the 2024 flag==
Initial responses to the final design included both praise and criticism for its simplicity, as well as praise for its symbolism.{{cite news |last1=Van Oot |first1=Torey |title=Minnesota's new state flag takes flight |url=https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/05/10/minnesota-state-flag-statehood-day-debut-buildings |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=Axios Twin Cities |date=May 10, 2024 |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524100050/https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/05/10/minnesota-state-flag-statehood-day-debut-buildings |url-status=live }} Ted Kaye of the North American Vexillological Association called the new design "outstanding" and said that it has a place in the top 10 flags of the U.S.{{cite web |date=December 19, 2023 |title=Flag expert calls new Minnesota state flag 'outstanding,' top ten in the country |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/12/19/flag-expert-calls-new-minnesota-state-flag-outstanding-top-ten-in-the-country |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=MPR News |first1=Tom |last1=Crann |author2=Ngoc Bui |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117071506/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/12/19/flag-expert-calls-new-minnesota-state-flag-outstanding-top-ten-in-the-country |url-status=live }} A local news station poll found that just 23% of Minnesota voters supported switching to the new flag, while 21% supported replacing the flag with a different design and 49% wished to keep the existing flag.{{cite news |date=February 2, 2024 |title=KSTP/SurveyUSA poll: Minnesotans want sports betting, Social Security tax elimination |url=https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/kstp-surveyusa-poll-minnesotans-want-sports-betting-social-security-tax-elimination/ |access-date=May 11, 2024 |website=KSTP News |first=Tom |last=Hauser |language=en |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511041315/https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/kstp-surveyusa-poll-minnesotans-want-sports-betting-social-security-tax-elimination/ |url-status=live }}
Democratic leaders praised the community input and the removal of the old flag's offensive imagery as successes.{{cite news |last1=Karnowski |first1=Steve |title=Things to know about MN’s new, non-racist state flag and seal |url=https://www.twincities.com/2024/01/02/things-to-know-about-minnesotas-new-non-racist-state-flag-and-seal/ |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=Pioneer Press |date=January 4, 2024}} Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, who did not fly the former flag in protest of its depictions of Indigenous people,{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Esme |title=Gov. Tim Walz responds to Republican criticisms of new state flag |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/gov-tim-walz-responds-to-republican-criticisms-of-new-state-flag/ |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=CBS News |date=January 29, 2024 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919003046/https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/gov-tim-walz-responds-to-republican-criticisms-of-new-state-flag/ |url-status=live }} celebrated it as an "upgrade" that allows it to represent every Minnesotan.{{cite news |title=Minnesota Reveals New State Flag, Replaces Old Design of Native American Being Displaced |url=https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/minnesota-reveals-new-state-flag-replaces-old-design-of-native-american-being-displaced |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=Native News Online |date=December 20, 2023}}
Right-wing critics claimed the flag was similar to the flag of Somalia or of the Somali region of Puntland. Officials said the resemblance was a coincidence, citing the Minnesota-specific meaning behind the colors and symbolism. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon further countered these claims, noting similarities in Iowa's flag to France and Texas's flag to Chile.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-20 |title=Minnesota replaced its 'racist' flag. The new one is facing its own outrage |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/minnesota-new-state-flag-reaction-b2467510.html |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207213546/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/minnesota-new-state-flag-reaction-b2467510.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Jr |first=Bernd Debusmann |date=2023-12-20 |title=Minnesota unveils new state flag design |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67778942 |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=BBC News |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918164847/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67778942 |url-status=live }}
Several rural counties, including Crow Wing, Houston, McLeod, Nobles, Becker, Mower, and Brown, passed resolutions opposing the flag in general, or the process by which the new flag design was chosen. In early March 2024, Republican state legislators announced plans to introduce a series of bills that would put the flag design to a public vote, but the bills did not come up for a vote during the 2024 legislative session.{{Cite web |last=Herald |first=Daily |date=2024-02-14 |title=Commissioners approve resolution asking that new flag, seal decision be rescinded |url=https://www.austindailyherald.com/2024/02/commissioners-approve-resolution-asking-that-new-flag-seal-decision-be-rescinded/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Austin Daily Herald |language=en |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308043506/https://www.austindailyherald.com/2024/02/commissioners-approve-resolution-asking-that-new-flag-seal-decision-be-rescinded/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Kelly |last2=Tribune |first2=Briana Bierschbach Star |title=New Minnesota state flag becomes partisan issue in 2024 |url=https://www.startribune.com/new-state-flag-becomes-partisan-issue-in-2024/600339023/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Star Tribune |date=January 27, 2024 |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308043506/https://www.startribune.com/new-state-flag-becomes-partisan-issue-in-2024/600339023/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-07 |title=Becker County comes out strongly against new state flag |url=https://www.dl-online.com/news/local/becker-county-comes-out-strongly-against-new-state-flag |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Detroit Lakes Tribune |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Brown Co. Board OKs resolution opposing state flag redesign process |url=https://www.nujournal.com/news/local-news/2024/02/28/brown-co-board-oks-resolution-opposing-state-flag-redesign-process/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=nujournal.com |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308045426/https://www.nujournal.com/news/local-news/2024/02/28/brown-co-board-oks-resolution-opposing-state-flag-redesign-process/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-01-24 |title=Nobles County commissioners adopt resolution opposing new Minnesota state flag, seal |url=https://www.dglobe.com/news/local/nobles-county-commissioners-adopt-resolution-opposing-new-minnesota-state-flag-seal |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Worthington Globe |language=en |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513181209/https://www.dglobe.com/news/local/nobles-county-commissioners-adopt-resolution-opposing-new-minnesota-state-flag-seal |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-05 |title=GOP lawmakers seek public vote on new Minnesota state flag |url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/gop-lawmakers-seek-vote-new-minensota-state-flag/89-47b1a64d-7f94-4360-910f-721aa209e55e |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=kare11.com |language=en-US}}
See also
{{Portal|Minnesota}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=1.141 The Minnesota Flag Statute]
- [https://www.leg.state.mn.us/webcontent/leg/symbols/flagarticle.pdf "The Origin of the Minnesota State Flag"] on the Minnesota government website
- [http://mnflag.tripod.com/ North Star Flag website]
- [https://21588026.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21588026/State%20Emblems%20Redesign%20Commission/2023_SERC_Final_Report.pdf "The New Official Flag and Great Seal: Report of the Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission to the Minnesota Legislature and Governor"]
{{US state flags}}
{{Minnesota}}
Category:2023 establishments in Minnesota
Category:Native American history of Minnesota
Category:Native Americans in art