Have you seen the flag of Pennsylvania? Like many other official state flags, it features the state’s coat of arms. In the center of the Pennsylvania flag is the state’s coat of arms consisting of a bald eagle standing atop a shield. On both sides of the shield are horses. Within the shield itself is a ship and three sheaves of wheat.
The Pennsylvania flag is one of eight state flags that features a bald eagle. Other state flags with a bald eagle in their flag’s design include Illinois, Michigan, New York, North Dakota, Iowa, Oregon and Utah. To learn more about the flag of Pennsylvania, including its rich history, keep reading.
Origins of the Flag of Pennsylvania
The flag of Pennsylvania was officially adopted on June 13, 1907. Prior to this period, Pennsylvania didn’t have a uniform, standardized design for its flag. This resulted in a variety of designs being used for its state militia flags. Most of the designs still featured the state’s coat of arms, but they were available in different colors and proportions. In 1907, lawmakers passed a piece of legislation defining the state’s official flag.
One of the first designs appeared in 1799. It featured a blue field with the state’s coat of arms in the center. A new design appeared in 1837. The following year, the colors of the Pennsylvania flag were changed to blue and gold.
In 1907, the Pennsylvania flag was changed again to its current design. The coat of arms remains the same, but the flag now features a blue background — the same blue color as that of the American flag — with the state’s coat of arms in the center.
Proposals for a New Design
There have been several proposals for a new design since the Pennsylvania flag was adopted. State Representative Tim Solobay, for instance, proposed a new design that featured the word “Pennsylvania” The current design doesn’t mention “Pennsylvania,” which Solobay sought to change with his design proposal. The proposal ultimately failed, however, so the design was never officially changed.
Another proposal occurred in 2007. It sought to include the words “Commonwealth of” at the top of the coat of arms and the word “Pennsylvania” directly below the coat of arms. But like Solobay’s proposal, this proposal failed as well. The Pennsylvania flag may change in the future, but it currently uses the same design that was originally adopted back in 1907.
