Flag of Pennsylvania#Flag of the governor

{{Infobox flag

| Name = Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

| Image = Flag of Pennsylvania.svg

| Nickname =

| Use = 110000

| Symbol = {{FIAV|110000}}{{FIAV|normal}}{{FIAV|Mirror}}

| Proportion = 27:37 (both 2:3 and 3:5 in use)

| Adoption = {{Start date and age|1907|06|13}}

| Design = A state coat of arms on a blue field

| Designer = }}

The flag of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania consists of a blue field on which the state coat of arms is displayed.

History

File:The government of the people of the state of Pennsylvania (1902) (14598125807).jpg

On April 9, 1799, the Pennsylvania General Assembly authorized the use of the state coat of arms on flags for the state militia.{{cite encyclopedia |last=Smith |first=Whitney |entry=Flag of Pennsylvania |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |date=27 July 2011 |entry-url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Pennsylvania |access-date=24 February 2023}} These flags took various forms, most commonly featuring the coat of arms either replacing the field of stars in the union of the US flag, or being placed alone on a field of blue. The depiction of the coat of arms would also vary from flag to flag, as the colors in the escutcheon of the arms were changed in 1809, and the color of the horses was not standardized until 1875.{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania (U.S.) |url=https://www.fotw.info/flags/us-pa.html#coa |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=www.fotw.info}}

The legislature eventually chose to create a standardized flag for general use, featuring a now-standardized coat of arms alone on a plain field of blue mandated to be the "same color as the blue field in the flag of the United States".{{Cite web |title=Act of Jun. 13, 1907, P.L. 560, No. 373 Cl. 38 – FLAG OF PENNSYLVANIA DESIGNATED |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/CH/Public/ucons_pivot_pge.cfm?session=1907&session_ind=0&act_nbr=0373. |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=www.legis.state.pa.us}} This new flag was enacted by law on June 13, 1907.{{cite web |date=2007-09-12 |title=Status of the Pennsylvania Flag |url=http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?a=3&Q=452833 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012171140/http://state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?a=3&Q=452833 |archive-date=2007-10-12 |access-date=2007-10-26}}

Criticism and attempts to change the flag

The Pennsylvania flag has been criticized for the complexity of its design, and its inability to stand out from other similar state flags across the US. Several attempts have been made by the Pennsylvania legislature and the public to address these criticisms by changing or altering the flag.

= 2001 NAVA Survey =

In 2001, the North American Vexillological Association surveyed 100 of its members and 337 members of the general public on the designs of the 72 U.S. state, U.S. territorial and Canadian provincial flags. The survey ranked Pennsylvania's flag 57th out of the 72, with a score of 3.69 on a scale of 0 to 10.{{cite web|url=https://nava.org/digital-library/design/surveys/2001-State-Provincial-Flag-Survey.pdf|title=2001 State/Provincial Flag Survey - NAVA.org|work=nava.org}} Its low ranking was attributed to both the complexity of the coat of arms on its design, and its inability to stand out among a sea of similar “seal on a bedsheet” designs common to more than half of U.S. state flags.{{Cite journal |last=Kaye |first=Edward B. |date=2001 |title=Good Flag, Bad Flag, and the Great NAVA Flag Survey of 2001 |url=https://www.pdcnet.org/85257D7A006284F7/file/AA3EE514B93920A7C1257DD4005EE804/$FILE/raven_2001_0008_0000_0012_0039.pdf |journal=Raven: A Journal of Vexillology |volume=8 |pages=11–38 |doi=10.5840/raven200182 |via=Philosophy Documentation Center}}

= Attempts to add "Pennsylvania" to the flag (2004–2014) =

Between 2004 and 2014, several attempts were made to add the word "Pennsylvania" to the state flag. According to former State Representative Tim Solobay (who introduced the first set of bills), this was intended to make Pennsylvania's flag more unique and identifiable.{{cite news |title=House passes Solobay bill adding 'Pennsylvania' to state flag |publisher=Office of State Rep. Tim Solobay |url=http://www.pahouse.com/PR/048061107.asp |url-status=dead |access-date=2007-10-26 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070810140643/http://www.pahouse.com/PR/048061107.asp |archive-date=2007-08-10}}

While the bill failed to leave committee in the first two sessions it was introduced,{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania Regular Session 2003–2004 House Bill 2808 |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2003&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=2808 |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=www.legis.state.pa.us}}{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania Regular Session 2005–2006 House Bill 149 |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2005&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0149 |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=www.legis.state.pa.us}} a 2006 survey offered by Solobay's office{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania (U.S.) 'Proposal for change to the flag' |url=https://www.fotw.info/flags/us-pa.html |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=www.fotw.info}} to help refine the defined design may have swayed legislators to act on the bill, which was amended on May 7, 2007.{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania Regular Session 2007–2008 House Bill 179 |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/BillInfo.cfm?syear=2007&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=179 |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=www.legis.state.pa.us}} On June 11, 2007, The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted in favor of the bill, 164–31. The Senate State Government Committee never considered the bill, which died at the end of the Pennsylvania General Assembly's two-year session.

The bill was reintroduced by Solobay in 2009,{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania Regular Session 2009–2010 House Bill 143 |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2009&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=143 |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=www.legis.state.pa.us}} and on the next session day, a second similar bill was introduced by former State Representative Gary Haluska with a competing definition of the design.{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania Regular Session 2009–2010 House Bill 179 |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2009&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=179 |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=www.legis.state.pa.us}} Neither bill was raised in committee that session. Haluska's proposal was reintroduced alone in both the 2011–12{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania Regular Session 2011–2012 House Bill 722 |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=722 |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=www.legis.state.pa.us}} and 2013–14 sessions,{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania Regular Session 2013–2014 House Bill 578 |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2013&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=578 |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=www.legis.state.pa.us}} and died in committee both times.

File:Flag of Pennsylvania with name added below (2004 Proposal).svg|alt=2004 proposal, interpreted to mean "Pennsylvania" is written below the coat of arms|2004–2007 proposal,{{FIAV|proposal}} adding "the word 'Pennsylvania' to be embroidered upon the flag in yellow silk."

File:Flag of Pennsylvania with Yellow Lettering (2007 Proposal).svg|2007–2010 proposal,{{FIAV|proposal}} adding the words "Commonwealth Of" to the top and "Pennsylvania" to the bottom of the flag in yellow silk, and arching the lettering around the coat of arms

File:Flag of Pennsylvania with Yellow Lettering on Red Festoon (2009 Proposal).svg|alt=2009 proposal, adding the word "Pennsylvania" in yellow silk "centered within a symmetrical red festoon, similar to that containing the State motto; and the festoon to be centered above the bald eagle on the coat of arms."|2009–2014 proposal,{{FIAV|proposal}} adding the word "Pennsylvania" in yellow silk "centered within a symmetrical red festoon, similar to that containing the State motto; and the festoon to be centered above the bald eagle on the coat of arms."

= The Keystone Flag =

File:Keystone Flag.svg

In 2017 the "Keystone Flag" was designed by Tara Stark,{{cite news |last1=Deppen |first1=Colin |title=PA's singing, driving, flag-waving identity crisis |url=https://www.spotlightpa.org/newsletters/palocal/mar-24-pennsylvanias-singing-driving-flag-waving-identity-crisis/ |access-date=23 November 2023 |work=Spotlight PA |date=24 March 2023 |language=en-us}} a Pennsylvania resident.{{Cite web |work=The Sentinel |first=Maddie |last=Seiler |title=PHOTOS: Humane Society of Harrisburg Area's 25th annual Penguin Plunge |date=January 2023 |url=https://cumberlink.com/news/local/communities/harrisburg/photos-humane-society-of-harrisburg-areas-25th-annual-penguin-plunge/collection_70c22c1c-8a10-11ed-a83a-e3c6e7500a19.html#4 |access-date=2023-03-07 |language=en}} The flag incorporates a keystone symbol, the de-facto state emblem of Pennsylvania, into a tricolor design using the colors on the coat of arms of Pennsylvania{{Cite web |title=Guide: State Symbols |url=https://www.pa.gov/guides/state-symbols/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=PA.Gov |language=en}} as an intentional callback to the symbolism of the existing flag.{{cite web |title=Symbolism |url=https://keystoneflag.org/#symbolism |website=Keystone Flag |access-date=23 November 2023 |language=en}}

The flag gained popularity in online vexillological circles, winning multiple online contests, and began receiving wider attention following high-profile changes to the flag of Mississippi and the flag of Utah. The design was formally released into the public domain in August 2022.{{Citation |last=Stark |first=Tara |title=File:Keystone Flag.svg on Wikimedia Commons |date=2017-03-10 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Keystone_Flag.svg |access-date=2023-05-14}} Stark launched a Kickstarter campaign in November 2022 to print flags and create other merchandise featuring the design, raising more than $4,500, and the design later began being sold by multiple unrelated manufacturers. It has since seen more popular use, notably including on a lapel pin worn by one state legislator,{{Cite tweet |user=StephenJ_Caruso |first=Steven |last=Caruso |title=Spotted: State Rep. Izzy Smith Wade-El (D., Lancaster) is rocking a @KeystoneFlag lapel pin |number=1628061737026043906 |access-date=2023-03-07 |language=en}} and has been referenced by multiple media outlets.{{cite news |title=Pennsylvania considering a flag redesign |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/video/pennsylvania-considering-a-flag-redesign/ |access-date=23 November 2023 |work=KDKA-TV (CBS Pittsburgh) |date=19 June 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Deppen |first1=Colin |title=Rep. backing new PA flag is ready for your angry emails |url=https://www.spotlightpa.org/newsletters/palocal/jun-23-rep-backing-new-pennsylvania-flag-is-ready-for-your-angry-emails/ |access-date=23 November 2023 |work=Spotlight PA |date=23 June 2023 |language=en-us}}{{cite news |last1=McCook |first1=Alison |title=And the winner of our Philly Flag contest is… |url=https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/inq2/philadelphia-flag-redesign-contest-results-2023-20230627.html |access-date=23 November 2023 |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |date=27 June 2023 |language=en}}

= Broad redesign efforts (2023-present) =

On June 16, 2023, Pennsylvania State Representative Joe Webster released a memorandum proposing a commission to "study the history of the state flag, solicit design submissions for a new state flag, and recommend changes to the state flag."{{Cite web |title=House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20230&cosponId=41045&mobile_choice=suppress |access-date=2023-06-16 |website=The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. |language=English}} A House Resolution was formally introduced later that month, but did not receive a hearing before the legislative session ended. {{Cite web |title=Bill Information – House Resolution 163; Regular Session 2023–2024 |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2023&sInd=0&body=H&type=R&bn=0163 |access-date=2023-06-27 |website=The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. |language=English}} Webster has issued a new memorandum for the 2025-26 session.{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Joseph |title=House Co-Sponsorship Memo 45189, "Redesigning the State Flag" |url=https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=45189 |website=PA General Assembly |publisher=Pennsylvania House of Representatives |access-date=23 January 2025}}

Galleries

= Historical depictions of the Pennsylvania flag =

File:John Lewis Krimmel's depiction of a Pennsylvanian state flag on July 4, 1819.jpg|alt=A painting of the Pennsylvania flag, featuring the state coat of arms with white horses, and other various adornments around the coat of arms, on a field of blue.|The flag as it appears in an 1819 painting titled Independence Day Celebration in Centre Square, Philadelphia

File:Pennsylvania State Flag 1863.jpg|A Pennsylvania state flag from 1863, featuring a ring of stars around the coat of arms. It was made in November 1863 by a Philadelphia flag manufacturer for Governor Curtin's use during the Gettysburg National Cemetery's dedication on November 19, 1863.{{cite web |url=http://www.repmiller.com/Display/SiteFiles/172/TeacherPDFs/PA%20State%20Flag_Our%20Flag.pdf |title=The Pennsylvania State Flag |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019111122/http://www.repmiller.com/Display/SiteFiles/172/TeacherPDFs/PA%20State%20Flag_Our%20Flag.pdf |archive-date=2021-10-19 |website=PA State Rep. Brett Miller}}

File:Flag of Pennsylvania (1918).png|A Pennsylvania state flag that may have been used by a National Guard unit during World War I, depicting a white scroll instead of the red one used today.

= Flags associated with Pennsylvania =

File:Flag of the Governor of Pennsylvania.svg|alt=The flag of the governor of Pennsylvania contains the state coat of arms on a field of white. Above the coat of arms, the flag displays a red ribbon with "The Governor" written in gold sans serif lettering. Below the coat of arms, the flag displays another red ribbon with "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" in gold lettering.|Standard of the governor of Pennsylvania (see also: Flags of governors of the U.S. states)

File:1747 Pennsylvania Associators Flag (reconstruction).png|1747 flag of Pennsylvania Associators{{Cite journal |last=Allen |first=Francis Olcott |date=1894 |title=The Provincial or Colonial Flag of Pennsylvania |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20083598 |journal=The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=249–252 |jstor=20083598 |issn=0031-4587}} (now the modern 111th Infantry Regiment and 28th Infantry Division) designed by Ben Franklin. (Colors, if any, unknown)

File:First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry Flag.png|Flag of First Troop, Philadelphia Light Horse,{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania Colonial/Revolutionary War Flags (U.S.) |url=https://www.fotw.info/flags/us-pa%5Er.html |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=www.fotw.info}} a Pennsylvania cavalry unit created just before the Revolutionary War

File:Brandywine Flag.svg|The Brandywine flag

File:Flag of the Whiskey Rebellion.svg|A flag used during the Whiskey Rebellion