Flag of Utah
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The current flag of Utah is one of the official flags of the U.S. state of Utah. It is a horizontal tricolor with irregular bands of blue, white, and red. The middle white band contains a blue hexagon outlined in gold. Within the hexagon lies a gold-colored beehive with a five-pointed white star below it.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The previous flag was re-designated as the "Historic State Flag" and retains co-official status in the state. It continues to fly year-round at the Utah Capitol, as well as on special occasions statewide. It can be flown at any time by private citizens.<ref name="KSL2023mar21" />
Symbolism
The red, white, and blue tricolor references the colors of the flag of the United States. At the top, a blue stripe symbolizes Utah's skies and lakes and fundamental principles such as faith, knowledge, and freedom. It also imitates the blue background of the state's historic flag. The white middle stripe evokes peace and is divided into five peaks, representing the snowy peaks of Utah's mountains. Below, a red canyon stripe signifies Southern Utah's desert landscapes and the spirit of perseverance. In the center of the flag, a beehive design represents Utah's industrial character and official nickname, the Beehive State. The gold hexagon resembles honeycomb, representing the strength of Utah's people. The beehive within the hexagon symbolizes industry, prosperity, and unity. Below the beehive is a five-pointed star, which honors the five original tribal nations in Utah, and also alludes to Utah's 45th star on the American flag, representing the state's allegiance to the nation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Color scheme
The colors designated for the flag are as follows:
| File:Flag of Utah.svg Color scheme |
Navy Blue | White | Dark Red | Amber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMYK | 90-60-0-71 | 0-0-0-0 | 0-99-100-33 | 0-28-89-0 |
| HEX | #071D49 | #FFFFFF | #AA0200 | #FFB81D |
| RGB | 7-29-73 | 255-255-255 | 170-2-0 | 255-184-29 |
History
Pre-statehood
Pioneer era flags
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As allegedly designed by council in 1848, this flag was the first flag designed to unify the Saints as they celebrated their first pioneer day. This flag was lost in the 1850s but later recreated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2002Template:Citation needed and has flown on Ensign Peak since. Contemporary reports describe similar flags being flown in 1877 at the funeral of Brigham Young and in 1880 at the Golden Jubilee of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> There is currently no historic documentation available to support this flag. The pioneers also carried a banner that was described as bearing a portrait of Joseph Smith and angel holding a scroll with the names of all the pioneers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Flag of the State of Deseret
According to most descriptions, the flag of the State of Deseret was similar to the flag of the State of Utah, but as it was not standardized, multiple other secular and religious alternatives were also used.<ref>Walker, Ronald W. "A Banner is Unfurled" Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought Volume 26 Number 4, Winter 1993, pages 71–91.</ref>
Utah Territory
The territorial flag was the Stars and Stripes with 13 stars and bald eagle with its wings spread out, the bird is on top of a beehive with one large 5 pointed star below. There was a variant of the territorial flag with blue fabric and the old coat of arms of Utah Territory. There is currently no evidence that the Utah Territory flag was made into an actual flag to fly during the Territory's existence (1850–1896), though copies have since been made. In the early years of the Territory, many of the pioneers flew unique homemade American flags.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>
State of Utah
Statehood flags
When Utah became the 45th state in 1896, American flags across the country flew 45 stars. In Salt Lake City they produced a massive American flag, one of the largest in the world at the time at around 74 feet high and 132 feet long.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It hung from the ceiling of the Salt Lake Tabernacle, and one year later was moved to the south wall of the Salt Lake Temple where it was flown until 1903.<ref name=":0" /> Another unique flag flown to celebrate statehood was in Kamas. Bishop Antwood's sleigh was dragged across the town's streets carrying with it a blue banner with one star. The star stood for Utah.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In Monticello, a lady on horseback rode through the middle of town carrying a blue banner with a white beehive.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The first state flag was flown in 1894, although its design is not known.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Another state flag was flown 3 years later, but it was also not described.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In May of 1899, members of the Signal Corps went to the top of Ensign Peak and raised a state flag.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Once again, there is no mention of the details of the flag.
1903 design
Template:Gallery The flag's basic design uses the Seal of Utah which was adopted by the state legislature on April 3, 1896.<ref name="Online_Library_flag_info">Template:Cite web</ref> The seal was designed by Charles M. Jackson, a crime reporter for the Salt Lake Herald, and Harry Emmett Edwards, an artist and bartender,<ref name="Dnews_RaisingAFlag">Template:Cite web</ref> and has similarities with the seal of the Utah Territory. The state's first flag was created in March 1903 to be used at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri. Heber M. Wells, the governor of Utah, asked the Utah State Society Daughters of the Revolution (not to be confused with Daughters of the American Revolution) to oversee the creation of a flag.<ref name="Dnews_RaisingAFlag" /> On May 1, 1903, the governor and his delegation marched, under the new flag, in the parade of states.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The flag was blue, with the state seal and the year "1896" hand-embroidered in white thread in the flag's center. Initially, this flag was known as the "Governor's Flag" until Senate Joint Resolution 17 was passed by the legislature on March 9, 1911, making it the official state flag.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1913 design
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In 1912, the Sons and Daughters of Utah Pioneers ordered a custom made copy of the newly adopted flag to be presented to the recently commissioned battleship Template:USS. When the flag arrived, the group discovered that the shield on the flag was in full color instead of white, and the manufacturer had added a gold ring around the shield. Rather than have the flag remade, Annie Wells Cannon introduced HJR 1 and the Utah legislature changed the law to allow the manufacturer's changes to become part of the official flag. Prior to being received by the ship on June 25, 1913, the new flag was displayed at the state capitol in January 1913, then in the ZCMI windows on Main Street and at a ball held in honor of the flag.
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State flag from 1924Template:FIAV
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Variant of the state flag from 1935Template:FIAVTemplate:FIAV
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State flag from 1940Template:FIAV
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State flag from 1943Template:FIAV
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State flag from 1973Template:FIAV
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During the 59th state legislative session in 2011, a Concurrent Resolution (HCR002) was adopted requiring flag makers to fix a mistake found on all then-current Utah state flags.<ref name=Bammes/><ref name=Resolution2011/> The mistake originated in 1922 when a flag maker misplaced the year 1847, by stitching it just above the year 1896, instead of in its correct position on the shield. It is believed every flag made since 1922 used this flag as a model, and the mistake persisted for 89 years.<ref name=McCord/> Later that same 2011 session, House Bill #490 passed the legislature, making March 9 an annual Utah State Flag day.<ref name=Romboy/>
1927 redesign attempt
Template:Gallery In 1927, Governor George Dern, during his address to the Utah State Legislature, requested the state adopt a much simpler flag that could be made quickly and cheaply and could fly alongside the American flag. Nothing was done, however, until in 1930 when flag enthusiast Lilliebell Falck, from Ogden, approached him with a few simplified designs. Her favorite was a white beehive with 28 lines to represent Utah's counties. The design was eventually scrapped later that year due to growing opposition by the Sons and Daughters of Utah Pioneers.<ref name="Dnews_RaisingAFlag" />
Salt Lake Tribune design contest (2002)
In 2002, The Salt Lake Tribune, along with the North American Vexillological Association, solicited designs for a new state flag.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Over 1,000 designs were submitted, with the top 35 selected for judging.<ref>Ted Kaye. "A New Flag For Utah? The Utah Flag Design Contest". NAVA News (Issue #174). April–June 2002.</ref> However, no flags from this contest were adopted by the state.
2024 design
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In 2018, State Representatives Steve Handy and Keven Stratton proposed 2 different approaches to updating the Utah flag. Representative Handy proposed creating a flag commission to receive input and designs from the public, with the ultimate goal of proposing a new flag to the legislature. Representative Stratton sponsored separate legislation to adopt a specific flag design.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Utah House of Representatives was more amenable to a proposal to involve the public with a commission, but both efforts ultimately failed in 2019.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Representative Handy proposed another bill in 2020, this time keeping the 2011 design as a "historical flag".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, the effort stalled in the House Political Subdivisions Committee on a tie vote.<ref>https://le.utah.gov/~2020/bills/static/HB0250.html</ref>
After a failed 2020 redesign effort, State Senator Daniel McCay started a bill in the Utah Senate. To prepare for the debate, the House and Senate watched a TED Talk by Roman Mars, "Why city flags may be the worst designed thing you've never noticed."<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref> In addition to the Ted Talk, the lead designer for the Utah Jazz, Ben Barnes, shared a set of prototype designs for lawmakers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2021, Senator McCay sponsored a bill to create a task force to redesign the Utah state flag.<ref name="DesNewsMAR2021">Template:Cite web</ref> The bill also designated an official flag to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Utah's statehood.<ref name="TribMAR2021">Template:Cite web</ref> The bill passed in the House and the Senate<ref name="DesNewsMAR2021" /> and was signed into law by Governor Spencer Cox.<ref name="CoxSignsBills">Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2022, the Utah State Flag Task Force accepted design submissions from the public. 5,703 designs were submitted, 2,500 of which were submitted by students.<ref name="Trib10Nov2022">Template:Cite web</ref> In September, 20 semifinalist designs were announced and Utahns were asked to submit their feedback.<ref name="DesNews8Sep2022">Template:Cite web</ref> During the month-long comment period, 44,000 survey responses were given.
On November 10, 2022, the Task Force submitted a final proposal to the Utah State Legislature for adoption as the official state flag.<ref name="Trib10Nov2022" /> On January 18, 2023, the Utah Senate Business and Labor Committee voted 6–1 to advance the flag to the State Senate, with McCay saying he hoped the new flag design would reach Spencer Cox's desk by March 3.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On January 30, 2023, the State Senate approved the bill 17–10, which advanced to the State House of Representatives for approval.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, the flag was slightly modified; the eight-pointed star, intended to represent the eight federally recognized tribal nations in Utah, was replaced by a five-pointed star after an Indigenous constituent expressed concern that it looked like an asterisk from a distance. The five pointed star, in addition to the five newly added mountain peaks in the background, were added to represent the five original tribal nations of Utah (Navajo, Shoshone, Goshute, Paiute and Ute).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On March 2, 2023, the Utah House of Representatives approved the bill 40–35, and the State Senate passed the concurrence vote 19–9–1, sending the bill to the governor's desk for signing.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The bill was signed by Governor Cox on March 21, 2023, along with an executive order formalizing the change.
The bill—and the new flag—went into effect on March 9, 2024, thus providing a one-year phase-in period to gradually transition to the new flag. The bill also designates the prior design as the official historic flag which may continue to be used by all.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="SLTNewFlagSigned">Template:Cite news</ref> The executive order mandates that the historic state flag be flown above the state capitol every day of the year and once the bill goes into effect, the two flags should be flown from different flagpoles on capitol grounds. The order also petitions the legislature to amend the bill to have the new flag flown beneath the historic state flag when flown on the same flagpole, rather than above.<ref name="KSL2023mar21">Template:Cite news</ref>
A public opinion poll conducted by the Hinckley Institute of Politics in March 2023 found that 48% of respondents supported the new flag, 35% opposed it, and 17% didn't know.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On May 17, 2023, the Utah State Capitol raised the new flag for the first time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Attempts to remove the 2024 flag
Opponents of the new flag announced a campaign to initiate a 2023 ballot referendum on the adoption on the flag, hoping to retain the old flag, in spite of language in the bill that retains the historic state flag.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The signature campaign failed, ultimately receiving only 21,030 verified signatures, with official verification being halted after fewer than 50,000 of the 134,298 required signatures were submitted to county clerks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Flag opponents launched a second signature campaign to put the issue on the 2024 ballot as an initiative.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That campaign also failed, gathering 99,125 signatures. (The lieutenant governor's office had only validated 81,992 before the deadline, the remaining 17,133 signatures left unvalidated would not have been enough to cross the threshold of 134,298 signatures to qualify for the ballot.) On February 8, 2024, a group linked to the campaign filed a federal lawsuit against the lieutenant governor, alleging that ten separate provisions of the citizen initiative process that the legislature created were unconstitutional.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The group sought injunctive relief for the alleged violations, but were denied on all counts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Are You Listening Yet PAC et al v. Henderson No. 2:24-CV-00104-JNP (D. Utah March 11, 2024.)</ref> Subsequently, the group withdrew the lawsuit two days later.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
During Utah's 2024 legislative session, Representative Phil Lyman put forward House Bill 436<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in the Utah House of Representatives. The bill would have repealed the new flag, but it failed to advance out of committee.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Clear
Flag of the National Guard
Template:See also During the Territorial days the militia carried their own flags. The flags were not standardized; they often contained religious symbols and mottos of their faith, with most of the flags being based off the American flag. The flags carried by the militia were usually made by locals of the community.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Utah National Guard currently carries the state flag. The first regimental flag used by the National Guard was in 1894 but its design is unknown.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Before 1895 regiments carried their own distinctive flags, but after 1895 the regimental flag was standardized. The size was of the flag was 6 feet by 6 feet.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> All other distinctive regimental flag were abosted.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
During the Spanish-American War, several Utah units played a role, with some seeing action in the conflict. The Utah Light Artillery took part in the Battle of Manila and stayed unit August of 1899.<ref>The Utah Light Artillery By Keith Rocco</ref> The regiment was given a 2 guidons for batteries A & B by Governor Wells. The Governor was planning on giving them an old Mormon Battalion flag from the 1840s.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref> The guidons bore a red field with 2 crossed Yellow cannons with the inscription "U.U.S.V" and the battery's name.<ref>Salt Lake Herald-Republican, 1917-09-04, p.12</ref> Company I of the 2nd United States Volunteer Cavalry also known as "Torrey's Roughriders," composed mainly of men from Utah, they served in Florida. The company was given a guidon by the Governor.<ref name=":2" /> After their service was up the flag was sent back to the Governor.<ref>Salt Lake Tribune 1898-06-04, p.7</ref>
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The Utah Light Artillery guidon for battery A, 1898<ref name=":2" />
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Digital reconstruction of the guidon carried by Company I of 2nd United States Volunteer Cavalry, 1898<ref>Salt Lake Tribune 1898-06-04, p.7</ref>
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1905 flag
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In August of 1905 Adjutant General Geoghegan and Colonel Lund adopted a regimental flag to be used by the state.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The flag was described: "...The field is blue silk with gold fringe and cords and tassels. The coat, of-arms and motto of the state in colors, on a white background, occupies the center of the field of blue..."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1st Utah field artillery
During World War I the War Department ordered the state to organized regiment of light artillery. The regiment was designated 1st Utah Field Artillery Regiment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On October 9, 1917 the regimental flag was presented to the regiment by Youth Group from Phillips Congregation Church in Salt Lake City, with the Governor in attendance.<ref>Salt Lake Herald-Republican, 1917-10-09, p.8</ref> They were also given guidons for each of the batteries.<ref>Salt Lake Herald-Republican, 1917-09-05, p.14</ref>
In 1918 a party was being held at Fort Douglas between officers and their wives. During the party they carried out a regimental flag described as being blue and Yellow.<ref>Salt Lake Tribune, 1918-07-26, p.5</ref> It is unknown what regiment it belonged to.
1924 flag
In 1924 the National Guard adopted a new design for their regimental flag. The flag was similar to the state flag but with a white state seal and a red scroll below it. The flag were describe as: "...Regimental colors, to be blue with the arms of the state embroidered in white silk on the center, underneath this a red scroll with the number and name of the regiment, the fringe yellow, cords and tassels blue and white intermixed..."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Flag of the governor
Utah does not currently have a flag that represents the governor. The first governor flag was used in 1854 by Brigham Young at his residence. It was described as an American flag but with a lion in its canton.<ref name=":1" /> The lion was in reference to Brigham's nickname, "The Lion of the Lord."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
References
Further reading
External links
Template:United States topic Template:US state navigation box
- Pages with broken file links
- United States state flags
- Symbols of Utah
- Flags of Utah
- 2011 establishments in Utah
- 1913 establishments in Utah
- 2022 establishments in Utah
- Flags introduced in 2011
- Flags introduced in 1913
- Flags introduced in 2022
- Quadcolor flags
- Flags displaying animals
- Flag controversies in the United States
- Flags introduced in 2024
- Flag redesigns in the 21st century
- Flags with stars
- Horizontally symmetrical flags