| A short history of the Maine State flag | One of the main industries of Maine is forestry, which produces paper and wood pulp. Wood was used mainly for shipbuilding in earlier times. The white pine of Maine is the chief feature of the state seal of 1820. Indigenous to the state is the moose, which is located at the foot of the pine tree. A farmer and a sailor are the supporters of the shield containing these emblems. They also remind us that Maine is both a maritime and an agricultural state. A glowing North Star, indicating that Maine was then the northernmost state of the Union. The usual practice during the Civil War was that arms are used on blue field. In March 1901 the second flag was adopted, and this time showing the pine tree in the center of the buff-colored background, and with the North Star in blue within the canton. Although this flag is still legal it is rarely seen. On February 24, 1909 the Civil War flag was adopted, and is used with the military fringe, cord and tassel. In July 1939, a third flag was adopted, a "merchant and marine" version which is only used for use at sea. |
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