Alaska flag

Alaska has one of the most recognizable flags in the United States. As depicted in the photo above, it features eight gold stars on a dark blue background. The stars consist of the Big Dipper asterism as well as the North Star, Polaris, in the top-right corner.

The Modern-Day Alaska Flag

Alaska officially adopted its flag on May 2, 1927. Since then, it has remained unchanged. Other state flags have been revised to feature new designs, but Alaska’s flag still consists of the same Bid Dipper asterism and Polaris on a dark blue background.
A survey conducted by the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) found that Alaska had the fifth-best flag design out of a staggering 72 U.S. states and Canadian provinces. What’s the history behind the Alaska flag exactly?

Origins of the Flag of Alaska

Long before Alaska was a state, the territory’s American Legion branch held a contest to acquire a flag design. The contest was open to children aged 12 to 18.
After reviewing over 700 design entries, the American Legion selected a design entry from 14-year-old Alaska native Benny Benson. Records show that most other design entries were based on the territory’s official seal. Benson took a different approach, however. Rather than using the territory’s official seal, he looked to the sky for inspiration. Benson noticed the Big Dipper and North Star, which he used as the foundation for his design entry.
The Alaska Legislature adopted Benson’s design on May 2, 1927. Alaska, of course, didn’t become a state until several decades later in 1959. Nonetheless, the Alaska Legislature adopted Benson’s design as the territory’s official flag in 1927. And since then, Alaska has continued to recognize Benson’s design as its official flag.

The First Flag of Alaska

The first Alaska flag featuring Benson’s design was made of silk. The silk was dyed to achieve a dark blue color. The first Alaska flag also featured ornamental stars that were hand-sewn into the silk background.
The Alaska flag is no longer made of silk. It’s typically made of the same materials as other official state flags, such as cotton, nylon or polyester. Cotton flags are a popular choice because of their price. They are inexpensive and readily available. If you’re planning to fly it outdoors, though, you may want to choose a flag made of nylon or polyester. Nylon and polyester are synthetic materials, so they can withstand the harsh outdoors better than organic materials like cotton.

Alaska was one of the last states to gain statehood. It was added to the United States in 1959. Alaska became an official state during the first part of this year, whereas Hawaii became an official state in the latter part of 1959. Like all states, though, Alaska has an official flag. It features a simple yet meaningful design that’s become synonymous with The Last Frontier.

#1) Depicts the Big Dipper

To the unsuspecting eye, the flag of Alaska may look like a random arrangement of stars. It depicts eight gold-colored stars against a blue field. This isn’t just a random design, however. It’s actually the Big Dipper. The Big Dipper is a constellation in Ursa Major that looks like a cup and handle. This cancellation is depicted on the flag of Alaska.

#2) Used for Navigation

Because it depicts the Big Dipper, the flag of Alaska can be used for navigation purposes. The Big Dipper constellation points to the North Star. Also known as Polaris, the North Star denotes the location of the north pole. And it’s even included in the flag of Alaska. You can spot the North Star in the flag of Alaska by looking in the top-right corner. It’s the isolated star that’s positioned away from the rest of the Big Dipper constellation.

#3) Designed During a Contest

The flag of Alaska was designed during a contest. In 1927, the Alaska Department of the American Legion held a contest to seek designs for a flag. The contest was held at various middle schools and high schools throughout the state, and it receives about 700 entries. A 13-year-old student named Benny Benson was selected as the winner. Benson’s design consisted of the Big Dipper constellation, along with the North Star, against a blue field.

#4) Adopted in 1927

The flag of Alaska was officially adopted during the same year in which Benson won the contest. Of course, Alaska wasn’t an official state at the time. Alaska didn’t gain statehood in 1959. Nonetheless, the Alaska Legislature officially adopted the flag in 1927 — and it continued to recognize Benson’s flag as the official Alaska flag in 1959 and beyond.

#5) Ranked as One of the Best Designs

Although it’s relatively simple, the flag of Alaska has one of the top-ranked designs. A North American Vexillological Association survey found that the Alaska flag featured the fifth-best design of all U.S. and Canadian flags. It’s an attractive design that depicts the Big Dipper and the North Star against a blue field.

• Who designed the Alaska state flag and when was it adopted?
• What is the design on the Alaska flag and what does it represent?
• Where might I purchase an Alaska state Flag?
• How are you supposed to fly the Alaska flag with your American flag?

Who designed the Alaska state flag and when was it adopted?

The state flag of Alaska was adopted on July 9, 1927 by the Territory of Alaska and then it was adopted by the State of Alaska on January 3, 1959. The design of the flag has not changed since its original design in 1927. Alaska’s state flag was designed by Benny Benson, a 13 year old Alaskan Native American boy residing at the Jesse Lee Mission Home for Children orphanage in Seward. The Alaska Department of the American Legion sponsored a territorial contest for Alaskan children in grades seven through twelve and Benny’s design won unanimously out of 142 designs. For winning the contest, Benny received a watch with the flag’s design engraved on it, and a $1,000 educational scholarship.

What is the design on the Alaska flag and what does it represent?

The state flag of Alaska consists of a dark blue field with seven small stars and one large star placed upon it. The seven small stars form the big dipper. The blue field represents the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, which is the state flower of Alaska. The big dipper symbolizes the great bear and strength. The large star represents the North Star (Polaris) and the State of Alaska as the most northerly in the Union. Noteworthy here is that the designer of the State Flag, Benny Benson, a 13 year old boy, looked to the sky for the symbols he included in his design.

Where can I purchase an Alaska state flag?

For a 100% made in the USA Alaska Flag, give Star Spangled Flags a try by purchasing it here! All of their flags are 100% made in the USA from materials that are 100% made in the USA! They are treated so that their flags dry fast and resist sun and chemical deterioration keeping the colors bright and beautiful against the sun’s ultraviolet rays. They use heavyweight nylon material that keeps them tough and long-lasting!

How are you supposed to fly the Alaska flag with your American flag?

When flying the Alaska and American flag on the same pole, the flag of the United States must always be at the top and the Alaska flag should be the same size or smaller. When It is flown on separate poles, the Alaska flag will be to the right of the flag of the United States situating the U.S. flag in the position of honor, which is to the observer’s left of the other flags.