| 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. |