Alaska State Flag: History, Design, Trivia

DATE FIRST USED   Alaska State Flag 1959 NICKNAME(S) None DESIGN ELEMENTS Blue with eight golden-yellow, five-pointed stars. One larger star sits in the fly's top right corner. The other smaller stars form the Big Dipper constellation across the flag's lower hoist corner.  Symbols: Golden-yellow five-pointed stars. The larger star is positioned near the top fly corner, and represents the North Star. It symbolizes the state of Alaska's prospects, and also shows that Alaska is the country's northernmost state. The seven smaller stars form the pattern of the Big Dipper across the lower hoist corner. The Big Dipper is also called the Great Bear, so it can be interpreted as a symbol of strength. Colors: Blue and golden yellow. According to the designer, the blue background represents both Alaska's blue sky and the forget-me-not, a common Alaskan wildflower. Golden yellow represents Alaska's rich natural resources. Proportions: 125:177 Variations:  None HISTORY The U.S. bought Alaska from Russia in 1867, and the U.S. flag began flying there later that year. Though talk of Alaska becoming a territory and then a state began almost immediately, the process went very slowly. Alaska didn't become a territory until 1912, and did not design a flag until 1927, which was still 30 years before it was recognized as a state. In the late 1920s, the territorial governor decided that a flag was needed, so the Alaska Department of the American Legion held a contest for Alaskan children in grades seven to 12. Organizers circulated contest rules in the territory in the beginning of 1927. The initial phase of the competition was held at the local level. Each town had its own panel of judges, including an American Legion member, a school superintendent, a school principal or a teacher, and one other resident. The local panels selected the ten best designs and sent them to Juneau for the final judging. One hundred and forty-two entries made it to the finals. Many entries were not distinctive, and others were just too complex. The winning design was simple and different, gold stars on a blue background. The artist was John Benson, known as Benny, a motherless 13-year-old living in a children's home. It was adopted as the territorial flag the same year, and continued as the state flag when Alaska officially joined the Union in 1959. PROPER USES The flag is to be treated with care and respect. It is never allowed to touch the ground, and must be handled with due care during hoisting or lowering. The flag should never be deliberately torn or marked. Flags that become dirty or tattered through normal use should be replaced and disposed of privately, usually by burning. In general, the Alaskan flag should be flown or displayed in the place of honor within the state, but the U.S. flag and any other national flags take precedence. For example, the Alaskan flag should be hoisted to a lower height that the American flag when they're flying on separate flagpoles. When they fly on the same pole, the American flag is on top and the Alaskan flag below it. LEGENDS, CONTROVERSIES, AND TRIVIA Benny Benson became something of a legend in Alaska by designing the state flag. His useful ideas became an embodiment of the need to respect young people's opinions. Benson even has a road named after him in Anchorage, Benny Benson Drive. There are also schools and vocational institutions named in his honor. -World Trade Press