Flags of the U.S. states and territories#Former territory flags
{{short description|none}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
File:United States state flags, territory flags, and DC flags24.png of the United States, its five territories, and the capital district, Washington, D.C.]]
The flags of the U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) exhibit a variety of regional influences and local histories, as well as different styles and design principles. Modern U.S. state flags date from the turn of the 20th century, when states considered distinctive symbols for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. Most U.S. state flags were designed and adopted between 1893 and World War I.{{cite web |last=Artimovich |first=Nick |title=Questions & Answers |url=http://www.nava.org/Flag%20Information/qa/qa8.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070417172129/http://www.nava.org/Flag%20Information/qa/qa8.htm |archive-date=April 17, 2007 |access-date=2007-03-20 |publisher=North American Vexillological Association |pages=8}}
The most recently adopted state flag is that of Minnesota, adopted on May 11, 2024, while the most recently adopted territorial flag is that of the Northern Mariana Islands, adopted on July 1, 1985. The flag of the District of Columbia was adopted in 1938. Recent legislation in Massachusetts (2021) and Illinois (2024) have started the process of redesigning their state flags. Maine put a flag redesign on the ballot in November 2024, but the new design lost in a referendum.[https://www.maine.gov/sos/news/2024/Nov2024GeneralElectionBallotReferendumQuestions.html/ General Election Ballot Referendum Questions]{{cite web |last1=Budion |first1=Kaitlyn |title=Referendum to replace Maine state flag fails |url=https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2024-11-06/early-results-show-mainers-rejecting-referendum-to-change-the-state-flag |website=Maine Public |access-date=15 December 2024 |date=6 November 2024}}
Many of the state flags share a design pattern consisting of the state seal superimposed on a monochrome
background, commonly a shade of blue, which remains a source of criticism from vexillologists. According to a 2001 survey by the North American Vexillological Association, New Mexico has the best-designed flag of any U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canadian province, while Georgia's state flag was rated the worst (the latter of which has been changed since the survey was conducted).{{cite web|title=New Mexico tops state/provincial flags survey, Georgia loses by wide margin|url=http://www.nava.org/flag-design/survey/state-provincial-survey-2001|last=Kaye|first=Ted|date=2001-06-10|publisher=North American Vexillological Association|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019210112/http://www.nava.org/flag-design/survey/state-provincial-survey-2001|archive-date=October 19, 2013|access-date=2007-10-07}}
Current state flags
Listed alphabetically with their respective date of adoption.
{{gallery items
|File:Flag of Alabama.svg|Flag of Alabama
(February 16, 1895){{cite web |title=Official Symbols and Emblems of Alabama: State Flag of Alabama |url=http://www.archives.state.al.us/emblems/st_flag.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728100226/http://www.archives.state.al.us/emblems/st_flag.html |archive-date=Jul 28, 2012 |access-date=June 15, 2012 |publisher=Alabama Department of Archives & History}}
|File:Flag of Alaska.svg|Flag of Alaska
(May 2, 1927)
|File:Flag of Arizona.svg|Flag of Arizona
(February 27, 1917)
|File:Flag of Arkansas.svg|Flag of Arkansas
(February 26, 1913){{Cite web |title=Arkansas Secretary of State |url=https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/education/arkansas-history/history-of-the-flag |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=www.sos.arkansas.gov}}
|File:Flag of California.svg|Flag of California
(February 3, 1911)
|File:Flag of Colorado.svg|Flag of Colorado
(June 5, 1911){{cite web |title=State Flag |url=https://archives.colorado.gov/collections/symbols-emblems/state-flag#:~:text=Controversy%20also%20arose%20over%20the,letter%20C%20and%20its%20diameter. |website=Colorado State Archives |access-date=December 3, 2024}}
|File:Flag of Connecticut.svg|Flag of Connecticut
(September 9, 1897)
|File:Flag of Delaware.svg|Flag of Delaware
(July 24, 1913){{cite web |title=Delaware Facts & Symbols |url=https://viola.delaware.gov/delaware-facts-symbols/#:~:text=Adopted%20on%20July%2024%2C%201913,ratify%20the%20United%20States%20constitution. |website=Viola Delaware |access-date=December 3, 2024}}
|File:Flag of Florida.svg|Flag of Florida
(November 6, 1900){{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Whitney |title=flag of Florida |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Florida |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=December 3, 2024}}
|File:Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg|Flag of Georgia
(February 19, 2003){{cite web|url=http://sos.georgia.gov/museum/html/georgia_state_flag_current.htm |title=Flags That Have Flown Over Georgia: The History of the Georgia State Flag |access-date=September 17, 2013 |year=2003 |publisher=Secretary of State of Georgia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916222439/http://sos.georgia.gov/museum/html/georgia_state_flag_current.htm |archive-date= September 16, 2008}}
|File:Flag of Hawaii.svg|Flag of Hawaii
(December 29, 1844)
|File:Flag of Idaho.svg|Flag of Idaho
(March 12, 1907){{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Whitney |title=flag of Idaho |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Idaho |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=December 4, 2024}}
|File:Flag of Illinois.svg|Flag of Illinois
(September 17, 1969){{cite web| url=http://www.illinois.gov/facts/stateflag.cfm| website=Illinois Facts| title=Official State Flag| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628043205/http://www.illinois.gov/facts/stateflag.cfm| archive-date=2010-06-28}}
|File:Flag of Indiana.svg|Flag of Indiana
(May 31, 1917){{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Whitney |title=flag of Indiana |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Indiana |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=December 4, 2024}}
|File:Flag of Iowa.svg|width=180|Flag of Iowa
(March 29, 1921)
|File:Flag of Kansas.svg|Flag of Kansas
(September 24, 1961)
|File:Flag of Kentucky.svg|Flag of Kentucky
(March 26, 1918){{citation |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofke0001unse_b4f1 |title=Encyclopedia of Kentucky |publisher=Somerset Publishers |year=1987 |isbn=0-403-09981-1 |location=New York, New York |url-access=registration}}
|File:Flag of Louisiana.svg|Flag of Louisiana
(July 1, 1912)Bonham, Milledge L., Jr. "[https://archive.org/stream/louisianahistor00unkngoog#page/n452/mode/2up/search/%22flags+of+louisiana The Flags of Louisiana.]" The Louisiana Historical Quarterly 2.1 (1919): 439-446.
|File:Flag of the State of Maine.svg|Flag of Maine
(February 23, 1909)
|File:Flag of Maryland.svg|Flag of Maryland
(March 9, 1904)Chapter 48, Acts of 1904, effective March 9, 1904
|File:Flag of Massachusetts.svg|Flag of Massachusetts
(March 18, 1908)
|File:Flag of Michigan.svg|Flag of Michigan
(August 1, 1911)
|File:Flag_of_Minnesota_(2023_redesign).svg|Flag of Minnesota
(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 }}
|File:Flag of Mississippi.svg|Flag of Mississippi
(January 11, 2021){{cite web |url=http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2020/pdf/history/HB/HB1796.xml|title=Mississippi Legislature 2020 Regular Session House Bill 1796|date=July 21, 2020|website=Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System|access-date=21 July 2020}}
|File:Flag of Missouri.svg|Flag of Missouri
(March 22, 1913)[https://www.sos.mo.gov/symbol/flag State Flag - Missouri Secretary of State]
|File:Flag of Montana.svg|Flag of Montana
(July 1, 1981)
|File:Flag of Nebraska.svg|Flag of Nebraska
(April 2, 1925)
|File:Flag of Nevada.svg|Flag of Nevada
(July 25, 1991)
|File:Flag of New Hampshire.svg|Flag of New Hampshire
(1909){{cite web |title=State Flag, New Hampshire Almanac |url=https://www.nh.gov/almanac/flag.htm#:~:text=New%20Hampshire%20did%20not%20officially,and%20other%20sources%20as%20noted. |access-date=January 25, 2025 |author=NH.gov}}
|File:Flag of New Jersey.svg|Flag of New Jersey
(May 11, 1896)
|File:Flag of New Mexico.svg|Flag of New Mexico
(March 15, 1925)
|File:Flag of New York.svg|Flag of New York
(April 2, 1901){{cite web|url=http://www.crwflags.com/FOTW/flags/us-ny.html |title=New York (U.S.) |publisher=Crwflags.com |access-date=2013-12-29}}
|File:Flag of North Carolina.svg|Flag of North Carolina
(March 9, 1885)
|File:Flag of North Dakota.svg|Flag of North Dakota
(March 11, 1911)
|180x100px|Flag of Ohio
(May 9, 1902){{cite magazine|title=The Flag of Ohio (editorial)|magazine=The Ohio Illustrated Magazine|editor-first=Webster Perit|editor-last=Huntington|date=July 1906|volume=1|issue=1|pages=96–97|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Zc-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA96|via=Google Books}}
|File:Flag of Oklahoma.svg|Flag of Oklahoma
(1941){{Cite web|date=February 6, 2014|publisher=NState, LLC|url=http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/ok_flag.htm|work=NetState|title=The Oklahoma State Flag|access-date=January 26, 2015}}
|File:Flag of Oregon.svg|Flag of Oregon (obverse)
(April 15, 1925)
|File:Flag of Oregon (reverse).svg|Flag of Oregon (reverse)
|File:Flag of Pennsylvania.svg|Flag of Pennsylvania
(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}}
|File:Flag of Rhode Island.svg|Flag of Rhode Island
(November 1, 1897)
|File:Flag of South Carolina.svg|Flag of South Carolina
(January 28, 1861)
|File:Flag of South Dakota.svg|Flag of South Dakota
(November 9, 1992)
|File:Flag of Tennessee.svg|Flag of Tennessee
(April 17, 1905){{citation |last=Darnell |first=Riley C. |url=http://state.tn.us/sos/bluebook/05-06/45-symbols.pdf |title=Tennessee Blue Book |publisher=State of Tennessee |year=2006 |location=Nashville, Tennessee |pages=515–516 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723220926/http://state.tn.us/sos/bluebook/05-06/45-symbols.pdf |archive-date=Jul 23, 2015}}
|File:Flag of Texas.svg|Flag of Texas
(January 25, 1839){{Handbook of Texas|id=msf01|name=Flags of Texas}}
|File:Flag of Utah.svg|Flag of Utah
(March 9, 2024){{Cite web |last=Ellis |first=Josh |date=2 March 2023 |title=Utah Legislature approves new state flag |url=https://ksltv.com/528772/utah-legislature-approves-new-state-flag// |website=KSL}}
|File:Flag of Vermont.svg|Flag of Vermont
(June 1, 1923){{cite web |url=http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/vt_flag.htm |title=The Vermont State Flag |date=September 24, 2009 |publisher=NetState.com}}
|File:Flag of Virginia.svg|Flag of Virginia
(March 28, 1912)
|File:Flag of Washington.svg|Flag of Washington
(March 5, 1923)
|File:Flag of West Virginia.svg|Flag of West Virginia
(March 7, 1929)
|File:Flag of Wisconsin.svg|Flag of Wisconsin
(May 1, 1981){{Citation |url=http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/wi_flag.htm|title=Section: 1.08: State flag|work=Laws of 1979|author=State of Wisconsin|access-date=August 21, 2015|archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610144050/https://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/wi_flag.htm |url-status=live}}
|File:Flag of Wyoming.svg|Flag of Wyoming
(January 31, 1917)
}}
Current federal district flag
This is the current flag of the District of Columbia.
{{gallery|File:Flag of the District of Columbia.svg|Flag of the District of Columbia
(federal district)
(October 15, 1938)|mode=nolines|whitebg=y|height=100}}
Current territory flags
These are the current official flags of the five permanently inhabited territories of the United States.
{{gallery|Flag of American Samoa.svg|Flag of American Samoa
(April 17, 1960)|Flag of Guam.svg|Flag of Guam
(February 9, 1948)|7=Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg|8=Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands
(July 1, 1985)|9=Flag of Puerto Rico.svg|10=Flag of Puerto Rico
(July 22, 1952)|11=Flag of the United States Virgin Islands.svg|12=Flag of the U.S. Virgin Islands
(May 17, 1921)|mode=nolines|whitebg=y|height=100|title=}}
Current state ensigns
Maine and Massachusetts have ensigns for use at sea.
{{gallery
|Naval Ensign of Maine.svg|Merchant and marine flag of Maine
(1939)
|Naval Ensign of Massachusetts.svg|Naval and maritime flag of Massachusetts
(1971)
|Ensign of the South Carolina Navy.svg|Flag of the South Carolina Naval Militia
|mode=nolines|whitebg=y|height=100}}
Former state ensigns
{{gallery
|Naval jack of the United States (1777–1795).svg|Flag of the Georgia State Navy
(1778 – 1779)
|An Appeal to Heaven Flag.svg|Former Naval and maritime flag of Massachusetts
(1775 – 1971)
|Naval ensign of New York (1775).svg|Naval ensign of New York (1775)
|Pennsylvania Navy Ensign.svg|Flag of the Pennsylvania Navy
(1775 – 1783)
|mode=nolines|whitebg=y|height=100}}
Commemorative state flags
{{gallery
|Alabama Bicentennial Flag.svg|Alabama Bicentennial Flag (2019)
|Illinois Centennial Flag.svg|Illinois Centennial Flag (1918)
|Illinois Sesquicentennial Flag.svg|Illinois Sesquicentennial Flag (1968)
|Illinois Bicentennial Flag.gif|Illinois Bicentennial Flag (2018)
|Indiana Bicentennial Flag.jpg|Indiana Bicentennial Flag (2016)
|Maine Bicentennial Flag (2020).svg|Maine Bicentennial Flag (2020)
|Bicentennial Banner of Mississippi (original).svg|Mississippi Bicentennial Flag (2017)
|New Jersey Tricentennial Flag.svg|New Jersey Tricentennial Flag (1964)
|Centennial Flag of Texas.svg|Texas Centennial Flag (1936)
|Flag of Texas Sesquicentennial.svg|[[Flag of Texas#Commemorative flags of Texas|
Texas Sesquicentennial Flag (1986)]]
|Commemorative Flag of Utah (2021).svg|Utah Quasquicentennial Flag (2021)
|mode=nolines|whitebg=y|height=100}}
Historical state and territory flags
=Former state flags=
{{gallery|title=
|Flag of Alabama (1861, obverse).svg|Flag of Alabama
(November 7, 1861 – November 12, 1865){{Cite web |author=Bradley |first=Robert B. |year=2000 |title=Flags of the Confederacy – Flags of Alabama |url=http://www.confederateflags.org/states/FOTCalabama.htm |access-date=November 17, 2007 |work=Flags of the Confederacy }}
|Flag of Alabama (1861, reverse).svg|Flag of Alabama
(reverse, November 7, 1861 – November 12, 1865)
|Flag of Arkansas (1913).svg|Flag of Arkansas
(February 26, 1913 – 1923){{Cite web |title=Arkansas Secretary of State |url=https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/education/arkansas-history/history-of-the-flag |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=www.sos.arkansas.gov}}
|Flag of Arkansas (1923).svg|Flag of Arkansas
(1923–1924)
|Flag of Arkansas (1924–2011).svg|Flag of Arkansas before standardization
(1924 – February 28, 2011){{cite web|last=|first=|date=2011|title=Bill Information|url=https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?ddBienniumSession=2011%2F2011R&measureno=HB1546|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=1 August 2012|website=|publisher=Arkansas State Legislature - 88th General Assembly}}
|File:1861Californiastateflag.png|Flag of California
(1861 – 1864)Daily Alta California, 22 June 1861
|File:1864CaliforniaStateflag.png|Flag of California
(1864 – 1911){{Cite web |title=Daily Alta California 14 July 1864 — California Digital Newspaper Collection |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=DAC18640714.2.2|access-date=2024-10-16 |website=cdnc.ucr.edu}}
|Flag of California (1909).png|Flag of California before standardization
(1911 – February 3, 1953){{Cite web |title=California State Flag Specifications |url=http://www.bearflagmuseum.org/California%20State%20Flag%20Specifications%201953%201954%201959.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507052044/http://www.bearflagmuseum.org/California%20State%20Flag%20Specifications%201953%201954%201959.PDF |archive-date=May 7, 2019 |website=bearflagmuseum.org}}
|Flag of Colorado (1907–1911).svg|Flag of Colorado
(1907 – December 4, 1911){{cite web |last1=Krempholtz |first1=Emily |title=The History Behind the Colorado Flag |url=https://www.coloradoinfo.com/blog/history-behind-colorado-flag |website=Colorado Info |access-date=July 2, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=July 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703013913/https://www.coloradoinfo.com/blog/history-behind-colorado-flag |url-status=live }}
|Flag of Colorado (1911–1964).svg|Flag of Colorado before standardization
(December 4, 1911 – March 31, 1964){{cite web |last1=Trembath |first1=Brian K. |title=The Untold Story Behind Colorado's Iconic State Flag |url=https://history.denverlibrary.org/news/story-behind-colorados-iconic-state-flag |website=Denver Public Library |access-date=July 2, 2022 |date=July 2, 2015 |archive-date=April 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422213017/https://history.denverlibrary.org/news/story-behind-colorados-iconic-state-flag |url-status=live }}
|File:Florida Moseley Flag.svg|Flag of Florida
(de facto, 1845){{cite web|url=https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-flag/floridas-historic-flags/state-flags/state-flag-1845/ |title=State Flag - 1845 |publisher=Florida Department of State}}
|File:Florida Provisional 1861.svg|Flag of Florida
(de facto, January 13 – September 12, 1861)
|Flag of Florida (1861).svg|Flag of Florida
(September 27, 1861 – May 5, 1868){{citation|last=Cannon |first=Devereaux D. Jr. |url=https://archive.org/details/flagsofconfedera0000cann |title=The Flags of the Confederacy: An Illustrated History |date=2005 |publisher=Pelican Publishing Company |others=Cover design by Larry Pardue |isbn=978-1-565-54109-2 |location=Gretna |pages=36–37 |oclc=970744690 |url-access=registration |orig-year=1st pub. St. Lukes Press:1988}}
|Flag of Florida (1868–1900).svg|Flag of Florida
(May 6, 1868 – November 6, 1900){{cite web|url=http://www.law.fsu.edu/crc/conhist/1900amen.html|title=Amendments, Election of 11-6-1900|author=Florida Constitution Revision Commission|publisher=The Florida State University|date=August 4, 2005|access-date=March 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008075616/http://www.law.fsu.edu/crc/conhist/1900amen.html|archive-date=October 8, 2014|url-status=dead}}
|Flag of Florida (1900-1985).svg|Flag of Florida before standardization of seal
(November 6, 1900 – May 21, 1985)
|Flag of the State of Georgia (1861, red).svg|Flag of Georgia
(de facto, 1861–1879){{citation| last=Cannon | first=Devereaux D. Jr. |year=2005 |title=The Flags of the Confederacy: An Illustrated History |location=Gretna |publisher=Pelican Publishing Company |orig-year=1st pub. St. Luke's Press:1988 |page=39 |isbn=978-1-565-54109-2}}
|Flag of the State of Georgia (1879–1902).svg|Flag of Georgia
(1879–1902){{cite web |url=http://www.senate.ga.gov/sro/Documents/StudyCommRpts/00StateFlag.pdf |title=The State Flag of Georgia: The 1956 Change In Its Historical Context |access-date=December 4, 2014 |last1=Azarian |first1=Alexander |first2=Eden |last2=Fesshazion |date=August 2000 |work=Senate Research Office |location=State of Georgia |publisher=State of Georgia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204200939/http://www.senate.ga.gov/sro/Documents/StudyCommRpts/00StateFlag.pdf |archive-date=December 4, 2014 }}
|Flag of the State of Georgia (1902–1906).svg|Flag of Georgia
(1902–1906)
|Flag of the State of Georgia (1906–1920).svg|Flag of Georgia
(1906–1920)
|Flag of the State of Georgia (1920-1956).svg|Flag of Georgia
(1920 – February 13, 1956)
|Flag of the State of Georgia (1956-2001).svg|Flag of Georgia
(February 13, 1956 – January 31, 2001)
|Flag of the State of Georgia (2001-2003).svg|Flag of Georgia
(January 31, 2001 – February 19, 2003)
|Flag of Idaho (1907–1927).png|Flag of Idaho before first standardization
(March 12, 1907 – March 15, 1927){{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Whitney |title=flag of Idaho |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Idaho |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=December 4, 2024}}|Flag of Idaho (1927–1957).png|Flag of Idaho before second standardization
(March 15, 1927 – March 1957)
|Flag of Illinois (1915-1969).svg|Flag of Illinois
(1915 – September 17, 1969){{cite web| url=http://www.thezephyr.com/illflag002.htm| title=Park Lawrence, Mother of the Illinois Flag| first=Barbara| last=Schock| date=May 12, 2007| website=The Zephyr | url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310092348/http://www.thezephyr.com/illflag002.htm| archive-date=2012-03-10}}
|Flag of Indiana (1903–1917).png|Flag of Indiana
(1885 – May 17, 1901){{Citation |author=General Assembly of Indiana|title=Legislative and State Manual of Indiana|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RP8_AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA20-IA2|publisher=W.B. Burford|date=1903|access-date=May 25, 2022}}
|Flag of the United States (1896–1908).svg|Flag of Indiana
(1901 – 1955){{citation |url=https://www.in.gov/history/state-historical-markers/find-a-marker/find-historical-markers-by-county/indiana-historical-markers-by-county/indiana-state-flag/#_ednref2 |title=Indiana State Flag |publisher=IN.gov |author=Indiana Historical Bureau |date=December 16, 2020 |access-date=2024-05-19}}
|Flag of Indiana (1917–1955).png|Banner of Indiana before standardization
(May 17, 1917 – 1955)
|Flag of Kansas (1925–1927).svg|Banner of Kansas
(1925 – 1927){{cite web|url=http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/cool-things-state-banner/10112 |title=State Banner |work=Cool Things |publisher=Kansas State Historical Society |access-date=16 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016142535/http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/cool-things-state-banner/10112 |archive-date=October 16, 2012 }}
|Flag of Kansas (1927–1961).svg|Flag of Kansas
(1927 – September 24, 1961)
|Flag of Kentucky (1918–1962).png|Flag of Kentucky before standardization
(1918 – 1962)
|Louisiana Feb 11 1861.svg|Flag of Louisiana
(February 11, 1861 – July 1, 1912)[http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-la.html#1861] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812190047/http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-la.html#1861 |date=2014-08-12 }}
|Flag of Louisiana (1912–2006).svg|Flag of Louisiana before first standardization
(July 1, 1912 – May 7, 2006)
|Flag of Louisiana (2006–2010).svg|Flag of Louisiana before second standardization
(May 7, 2006 – November 22, 2010)
|Flag of Massachusetts (1908-1971).svg|Flag of Massachusetts
(reverse, March 18, 1908 – 1971){{Cite web|title=U.S. States L-M|url=https://www.worldstatesmen.org/US_states_L-M.html|website=WorldStatesmen.org|access-date=May 23, 2022}}
|Flag of Maine (1901–1909).svg|Flag of Maine
(1901 – 1909)
|Flag of Minnesota (1893–1957).svg|Flag of Minnesota
(obverse, February 28, 1893 – August 1957)
|Flag of Minnesota (1893).svg|Flag of Minnesota
(reverse, February 28, 1893 – August 1957)
|Flag of Minnesota (1957-1983).svg|Flag of Minnesota
(August 1957 – August 1983){{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}}
|Flag_of_Minnesota_(1983-2024).svg|Flag of Minnesota
(August 1983 – May 11, 2024)
|Flag of Mississippi (1861-1865).svg|Flag of Mississippi
(1861 – 1865){{cite web |last=Clay |first=Moss |title=Mississippi's Magnolia Flags (U.S.) |url=https://fotw.info/flags/us-ms_mg.html |website=Flags of the World |publisher=Mississippi Department of Archives and History |access-date=January 21, 2019 |date=June 21, 2015}}
|Flag of the State of Mississippi (1894–1906).svg|Flag of Mississippi
(February 7, 1894 – 1996){{cite web |url=https://www.ms.gov/Visitors/About_Mississippi/State_Flags |title=State Flags |access-date=July 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405231606/https://www.ms.gov/Visitors/About_Mississippi/State_Flags |archive-date=April 5, 2020 |url-status=dead |publisher=State of Mississippi}}
|Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg|Flag of Mississippi
(1996 – June 30, 2020)
|Flag of the Missouri State Guard.svg|Flag of Missouri
(June 5, 1861 – March 22, 1913){{citation |author1=War Department |author-link1=United States Department of War |first2=Maj. George W. |last2=Davis |first3=Leslie J. |last3=Perry |first4=Joseph William |last4=Kirkley |title=The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies |url=https://archive.org/details/warofrebellion53unit |volume=LIII |year=1898 |publisher=Government Printing Office |location=Washington|pages=[https://archive.org/details/warofrebellion53unit/page/694 694]–695 |via=Internet Archive}}
|Flag of Montana (1905–1981).svg|Flag of Montana
(1905 – July 1, 1981)
|Flag of Nevada (1905-1915).svg|Flag of Nevada
(July 20, 1905 – 1915){{cite web| url=https://nevadatrivia.com/official-state-flags-of-nevada/| title=Nevada Trivia |website=The Nevada State Trivia game |access-date=July 9, 2024}}
|Flag of Nevada (1915–1929).jpg|Flag of Nevada
(1915 – 1929)
|Flag of Nevada (1929-1991).svg|Flag of Nevada before revised
(1929 – July 25, 1991)
|Flag of New Hampshire (1909-1931).png|Flag of New Hampshire before standardization of seal
(1909 – November 30, 1931)
|Flag of New Mexico (1912–1925).svg|Flag of New Mexico
(1915 – 1925){{cite web|title=About New Mexico|url=https://www.sos.nm.gov/about-new-mexico/state-flag/|publisher=New Mexico Secretary of State|access-date=March 15, 2025}}
|Flag of New York (1858–1896).svg|Flag of New York
(1858 – 1896)
|Flag_of_New_York_(1778-1901).svg|Flag of New York
(1896 – April 2, 1901)
|Flag of New York (1901-2020).svg|Flag of New York before standardization
(April 2, 1901 – April 2020)
|Flag_of_North_Carolina_(1861).svg|Flag of North Carolina
(March 16, 1861 – March 1, 1885){{cite web|url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-nc.html|title=North Carolina (U.S.)|website=flags of the world|access-date=December 27, 2019}}
|Flag of North Carolina (1885-1991).svg|Flag of North Carolina before standardization
(March 1885 – June 24, 1991)
|Flag of Oklahoma (1911–1925).svg|Flag of Oklahoma
(1911 – 1925){{Cite web|date=February 6, 2014|publisher=NState, LLC|url=http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/ok_flag.htm|work=NetState|title=The Oklahoma State Flag|access-date=January 26, 2015}}
|Flag of Oklahoma (1925–1941).svg|Flag of Oklahoma
(April 2, 1925 – 1941)
|Flag of Oklahoma (1941–1988).svg|Flag of Oklahoma
(1941 – June 14, 1988)
|Flag of Oklahoma (1988–2006).svg|Flag of Oklahoma
(June 14, 1988 – November 1, 2006){{cite web | url=http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=446099 |date=May 23, 2006| title=Enrolled Senate Bill No. 1359 | publisher=Oklahoma State Courts Network | access-date=January 26, 2015}}
|Pennsylvania_State_Flag_1863_pubdomain.jpg|Flag of Pennsylvania
(1778 – June 13, 1907){{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}}
|Flag of Rhode Island (1877–1882).svg|Flag of Rhode Island
(1877 – 1882)
|Flag of Rhode Island (1882–1897).svg|Flag of Rhode Island
(1882 – November 1, 1897)
|Flag of South Carolina (January 1861).svg|Flag of South Carolina
(January 26, 1861 – January 28, 1861){{cite web |title=South Carolina State and Secession Flags. |url=http://home.freeuk.net/gazkhan/blank_state.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625023726/http://home.freeuk.net/gazkhan/blank_state.htm |archive-date=Jun 25, 2015 |access-date=June 23, 2015 |work=freeuk.net}}
|Flag of South Dakota (1909-1963).svg|Flag of South Dakota before first redesign
(obverse, 1909 – 1963)
|Flag of South Dakota (reverse) (1909-1963).gif|Flag of South Dakota
(reverse, 1909 – 1963)
|Flag of South Dakota (1963-1992).svg|Flag of South Dakota before second redesign
(1963 – November 9, 1992)
|Flag of Tennessee (1897-1905).svg|Flag of Tennessee
(1897 – April 17, 1905){{cite web|url=https://www.wkrn.com/tennessee-225/the-tri-star-flag-whats-behind-the-beloved-emblem/|title=The Tri-Star Flag: What's behind the beloved emblem|last=Huff|first=Caitlin|date=January 6, 2021|work=WKRN.com|access-date=February 14, 2023}}
|1911-1913 Utah's First Official State flag.svg|Flag of Utah
(March 9, 1911 – March 11, 1913)
|Flag of Utah (1913–1922).png|Flag of Utah
(March 11, 1913 – May 6, 1922)
|Flag of Utah (1922–2011).svg|Flag of Utah
(May 6, 1922 – February 16, 2011)
|Flag of Utah (2011–2024).svg|Flag of Utah
(February 16, 2011 – March 9, 2024)
|Flag_of_Vermont_(1804-1837).svg|Flag of Vermont
(1804–1837){{cite web |url=http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/vt_flag.htm |title=The Vermont State Flag |date=September 24, 2009 |publisher=NetState.com}}
|Flag_of_Vermont_(1837-1923).svg|Flag of Vermont
(1837 – June 1, 1923)
|Flag of Virginia (1861–1865).svg|Flag of Virginia
(1861–1865){{citation |title=An ORDINANCE to establish a Flag for this Commonwealth|series=Ordinance No. 33|date=April 30, 1861|location=Virginia|author=Virginia Convention}}
|Flag of Virginia (1931–1950).png|Flag of Virginia before standardization of seal
(1931–1950){{cite web|url=https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/1-506/ |via=Virginia Law |title=§ 1-506. Flag of the Commonwealth.|work=Code of Virginia|date=February 1, 1950|publisher=Commonwealth of Virginia|access-date=January 28, 2015}}
|Flag of Washington (1923–1967).png|Flag of Washington before standardization of seal
(1923–April 1, 1967){{citation |date=April 19, 1967 |title=Session Laws of the State of Washington, 1967 Extraordinary Session |chapter=Chapter 65: State Seal—State Flag |pages=1666–1667 |chapter-url=http://leg.wa.gov/CodeReviser/documents/sessionlaw/1967ex1c65.pdf |publisher=Washington State Legislature |access-date=June 28, 2017}}
|Flag of West Virginia (1905–1907).svg|Flag of West Virginia
(1905 – 1907){{cite news|last=Giggenbach|first=Christian|title=State didn't have official flag until 1905|newspaper=The Register-Herald|location=Beckley, West Virginia|date=June 19, 2008|url=http://www.register-herald.com/news/local_news/state-didn-t-have-official-flag-until/article_746c005f-07ee-58c5-af31-02a0680aa6f4.html|access-date=October 7, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150118064152/http://www.register-herald.com/news/local_news/state-didn-t-have-official-flag-until/article_746c005f-07ee-58c5-af31-02a0680aa6f4.html|archive-date=2015-01-18|url-status=dead}}
|Flag of West Virginia (1907-1929).svg|Flag of West Virginia
(obverse, 1907 – March 7, 1929)
|Flag of West Virginia, Reverse, 1913.png|Flag of West Virginia
(reverse, 1907 – March 7, 1929)
|Flag of Wisconsin (1866-1913).png|Flag of Wisconsin
(1866 –1913){{Cite web |last=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |date=2007 |title=Wisconsin Blue Book 2007-2008 |url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lrb/blue_book/2007_2008/975_symbols.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016014359/https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lrb/blue_book/2007_2008/975_symbols.pdf |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |access-date=March 13, 2009}}
|Flag of Wisconsin (1913-1981).svg|Flag of Wisconsin
(1913 – May 1, 1981)
|height=100|whitebg=y|mode=nolines}}
=Former territory flags=
{{gallery
|File:Flag of Panama Canal Zone.svg|Former flag of the Panama Canal Zone
(1915—1979)
|File:Flag of the Philippines (1919–1936).svg|Flag of the Insular Government of the Philippine Islands
(1919–1936)
|File:Flag of the Philippines (1936–1985, 1986–1998).svg|Flag of the Commonwealth of the Philippines
(1936–1946)
|File:Flag_of_the_Trust_Territory_of_the_Pacific_Islands.svg|Former flag of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
(1965 – 1980)
|File:Flag_of_the_Northern_Mariana_Islands_(1972).svg|Former flag of the Northern Mariana Islands
(1976 – 1981)
|File:Flag_of_the_Northern_Mariana_Islands_(1976-1989).svg|Former flag of the Northern Mariana Islands
(1976 – 1989)
|File:Flag_of_Puerto_Rico_(1895-1952, light blue).svg|Original flag of Puerto Rico
(1895 – 1952)
|Flag_of_Puerto_Rico_(1952-1995).svg|Former flag of Puerto Rico
(1952 – 1995)
|mode=nolines|whitebg=y|height=100}}
=Pre-statehood flags=
California, Texas, and Hawaii were independent nations with flags before entering the union. The Utah Territory had a flag before receiving statehood.
{{gallery
|First Bear Flag of California (1846).svg|California Republic flag
(June 14 – July 9, 1846)
|Flag of Hawaii (1816).svg|Kingdom of Hawaii flag
(1816–1845)
|Flag of the Republic of Texas (1836–1839).svg|Republic of Texas flag
(1836 – 1839)
|Flag of Texas (1835–1839).svg|Republic of Texas flag
(de facto, 1835 – 1839)
|Flag of Texas (1839–1879).svg|Republic of Texas flag
(1839 – 1845)
|Flag_of_the_Utah_Territory.svg|Flag of Utah Territory
(1850 – March 1903)
|mode=nolines|whitebg=y|height=100}}
Native American flags
{{expand section|date=May 2025}}
{{Further-text|Flags of Native Americans in the United States on Wikimedia Commons}}
{{Further-text|Official seals of Native American tribes on Wikimedia Commons}}
Many Native American nations have tribal sovereignty, with jurisdiction over their members and reserved land. Although reservations are on state land, the laws of the state(s) do not necessarily apply.https://www.bia.gov/frequently-asked-questions BIA. U.S. Department of the Interior. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved September 7, 2019. Below are the flags of some of the largest Indian tribes reservations by population and area:
{{gallery
|File:Navajo_flag.svg|Flag of the Navajo Nation
|File:Flag of None.svg|Flag of Yavapai-Prescott Tribe
|File:Flag_of_the_Cherokee_Nation.svg|Flag of the Cherokee Nation
|File:Choctaw flag.svg|Flag of the Choctaw Nation
|File:Bandera chinook.svg|Flag of Chinook Nation
|File:Flag of the Osage Nation.svg|Flag of the Osage Nation
|File:Flag of the Organized Village of Kake.svg|Flag of the Organized Village of Kake
|File:Flag of None.svg|Flag of the Puyallup Indian Reservation
|File:Flag of None.svg|flag of the Flathead Indian Reservation
|File:Flag of Arapaho Nation.svg|Flag of the Northern Arapaho of the Wind River Indian Reservation
|File:Flag of None.svg|Flag of the Eastern Shoshone of the Wind River Indian Reservation
|File:Flag of None.svg|Flag of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation of the Isabella Indian Reservation
|File:Flag of None.svg|Flag of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation
|File:Flag of the Chickasaw Nation.svg|Flag of Chickasaw Nation
|File:Flag of None.svg|Flag of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
|File:Hassanamisco Nipmuc Flag.png|Flag of Hassanamisco Nipmuc
|File:Flag of Northern Cheyenne.svg|Flag of Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation
|File:Flag of the Robinson Rancheria.svg|Flag of Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California
|File:Pine Ridge Flag.svg|Flag of the Pine Ridge Reservation
|File:Flag of None.svg|Flag of the Nez Perce
|File:Flag of the Ninilchik.svg|Flag of Ninilchik Village Tribe
|File:Flag of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.svg|Flag of Miccosukee
|File:Flag of the Sac and Fox Nation.svg|Flag of Sac and Fox Nation
|File:Flag of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona.svg|Flag of Pascua Yaqui Tribe
|File:Flag of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians.svg|Flag of Viejas Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians
|File:Flag of None.svg|Flag of the Seminole Nation
|File:Flag of None.svg|Flag of the Tohono Oʼodham Nation
|File:Flag of None.svg|Flag of the Comanche Nation
|File:Flag of None.svg|Flag of the Hopi Nation
|File:Flag of None.svg|Flag of the Ho-Chunk Nation
|File:Flag of None.svg|Flag of the Blackfeet Nation
|File:Flag of the Colorado River Indian Tribes.svg|Flag of the Colorado River Indian Tribes
|File:Flag_of_the_Iroquois_Confederacy.svg|Flag of the Iroquois Confederacy|mode=nolines|whitebg=y|height=100|title=}}
Unofficial flags of United States Minor Outlying Islands
The U.S. national flag is the official flag for all islands, atolls, and reefs composing the United States Minor Outlying Islands. However, unofficial flags are sometimes used to represent some of these insular areas:
{{gallery|mode=nolines|whitebg=y|height=100
|File: Flag of the Johnston Atoll.gif
|Johnston Atoll
(June 18, 1991 of December 7, 2001)
|File:Flag of the Midway Islands (local).svg
|Midway Islands
(June 19, 1991 of June 4, 2000){{Cite journal |last=Wheeler |first=Skip |date=March 2000 |title=New Flag for Midway |url=https://nava.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/NAVANews_2000_vol33no1.pdf |journal=NAVA News |volume=33 |access-date=March 14, 2021 |archive-date=June 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606083851/https://nava.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/NAVANews_2000_vol33no1.pdf |url-status=live }}
|File:Flag of Wake Island.svg
|Wake Island
(April 1, 1976)
}}
See also
{{Portal|Heraldry
}}
- Flag of the United States
- Flags of governors of the U.S. states
- List of flags of the United States (including county, city and historical flags)
- List of U.S. state, district, and territorial insignia
- Flags of the Confederate States
- Timeline of U.S. state and territory flags
- Proposed flags of U.S. states
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|State flags of the United States}}
- [http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/categories/state-flag List of State Flags] at State Symbols USA
{{US state flags}}{{Lists of flags}}{{state insignia}}{{state symbols}}{{USStateLists}}
{{Authority control}}