Flags of the U.S. states and territories
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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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="test">General Election Ballot Referendum Questions</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Many of the state flags share a design pattern consisting of the state seal superimposed on a monochrome background, commonly a shade of blue.
Current state flags
Presented in alphabetical order, along with their respective dates of adoption. Template:Gallery items
Current federal district flag
This is the current flag of the District of Columbia.
Current territory flags
These are the current official flags of the five permanently inhabited territories of the United States. Template:Gallery
Current state ensigns
Maine and Massachusetts have ensigns for use at sea. Template:Gallery
Former state ensigns
Commemorative state flags
Historical state and territory flags
Former state flags
Former territory flags
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.
Native American flags
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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.<ref>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.</ref> Below are the flags of some of the largest Indian tribes reservations by population and area:
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:
See also
- 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
References
External links
- List of State Flags at State Symbols USA
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