![United States with territory states and DC flags new2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/United_States_with_territory_states_and_DC_flags_new2.png)
The
flag
A flag is a piece of fabric (most often rectangular or quadrilateral) with a distinctive design and colours. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design empl ...
s of the
U.S.
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
states,
territories
A territory is an area of land, sea, or space, particularly belonging or connected to a country, person, or animal.
In international politics, a territory is usually either the total area from which a state may extract power resources or an ...
, and the
District of Columbia
)
, image_skyline =
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(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
The World's Columbian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World's Fair) was a world's fair held in Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
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, map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago
, coordi ...
in
Chicago, Illinois
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
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, map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago
, coordinates =
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, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name ...
. Most U.S. state flags were designed and adopted between 1893 and
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
.
The most recently adopted state flag is that of
Mississippi
Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...
, adopted on January 11, 2021, while the most recently adopted territorial flag is that of the
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI; ch, Sankattan Siha Na Islas Mariånas; cal, Commonwealth Téél Falúw kka Efáng llól Marianas), is an unincorporated territory and commonw ...
, adopted on July 1, 1985. The
flag of the District of Columbia was adopted in 1938. Recent legislation in
Utah
Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. Utah is a landlocked U.S. state bordered to its east by Colorado, to its northeast by Wyoming, to its north by Idaho, to its south by Arizona, and to it ...
(2018–21) and
(2021) has started the process of redesign for those state flags.
Despite a variety of designs, the majority of the states' flags share the same 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
)
, population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano)
, seat = Santa Fe
, LargestCity = Albuquerque
, LargestMetro = Tiguex
, OfficialLang = None
, Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...
has the best-designed flag of any U.S. state, U.S. territory, or
Canadian province
Within the geographical areas of Canada, the ten provinces and three territories are sub-national administrative divisions under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Constitution. In the 1867 Canadian Confederation, three provinces of British North ...
, while
Georgia's state flag was rated the worst (the latter of which has been changed since the survey was conducted).
Current state flags
Listed alphabetically with date of adoption.
Current federal district flag
This is the current flag of the
District of Columbia
)
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, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
.
Current territory flags
These are the current official flags of the five permanently-inhabited
territories of the United States
Territories of the United States are sub-national administrative divisions overseen by the federal government of the United States. The various American territories differ from the U.S. states and Indian reservation, tribal reservations as ...
. Dates in parenthesis denote when the territory's current flag was adopted by its respective political body.
Current state ensigns
Maine and Massachusetts have
ensigns for use at sea.
Commemorative state flags
In 2021, Utah commemorated its 125th year anniversary as a state with a special flag, coinciding with the formation of a task force to redesign the state flag.
Historical state and territory flags
Former state flags
Former territory flags
American Civil War
Pre-Texan Revolution
Texan Revolution
California Republic
Other
Native American flags
Many
Native American nations have
tribal sovereignty
Tribal sovereignty in the United States is the concept of the inherent authority of indigenous tribes to govern themselves within the borders of the United States.
Originally, the U.S. federal government recognized American Indian trib ...
, 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:
Unofficial flags of atolls, reefs, and other islands
The U.S. national flag is the official flag for all islands, atolls, and reefs composing the
United States Minor Outlying Islands
The United States Minor Outlying Islands is a statistical designation defined by the International Organization for Standardization's ISO 3166-1 code. The entry code is ISO 3166-2:UM. The minor outlying islands and groups of islands consist ...
. However, unofficial flags are sometimes used to represent some of the insular areas in the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands:
See also
*
Flag of the United States
The national flag of the United States, United States of America, often referred to as the ''American flag'' or the ''U.S. flag'', consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rect ...
*
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
The following table displays the official flag, seal, and coat of arms of the 50 states, of the federal district, the 5 inhabited territories, and the federal government of the United States of America.
__TOC__
Table
The largest Native Americ ...
*
Flags of the Confederate States
Notes
References
External links
List of State Flagsat ''State Symbols USA''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Flags Of The U.S. States
Flags of country subdivisions
Lists of United States state insignia
States
United States state insignia