Tag: State Flag

History Lessons

Kentucky was early state; flag came later

In this mid-19th century painting by George Caleb Bingham, Daniel Boone leads settlers to Kentucky (wikipedia.org)

The 15th state to join the Union is Kentucky, something that might surprise people who imagine that all the earliest members of the United States were strung along on the East Coast. While its statehood was early, Kentucky’s flag took many years to evolve. Indeed, the first 14 states were lined up along the Atlantic… continue

History Lessons

Teen spotted flaw in state flag

Louisiana's state flag (louisiana.gov)

One of the more unusual – and somewhat gruesome – state flags features four birds and three drops of blood. The flag belongs to Louisiana, which is marking the 205th anniversary of its admission to the Union. Louisiana’s state flag was incorrect for many years, but a high school student with sharp eyes, D. Joseph… continue

History Lessons

Two I’s saw statehood coming

Paul Hadley looks on as an artist applies gold leaf to the state flag. (Mooresville Public Library)

Merry Christmas, joyous New Year – and happy anniversary to two states celebrating their entries into the Union. In this case, the “I’s” have it: Indiana and Iowa. Eventually, but not immediately, both created state flags. INDIANA Two hundred years ago, the United States welcomed Indiana into the fold as it became the 19th state…. continue

History Lessons

Tennessee’s flags are filled with oddities

In 1938, a man poses on a horse with the Tennessee state flag as background. (Tennessee State Library and Archives)

As a state, Tennessee has an unusual flag. As a city, Nashville has a complicated flag. As a college, Austin Peay sports a gonfalon. When Tennessee entered the United States 220 years ago, it chose red, white and blue for its state flag. But the hues were arranged in a unique way. The red portion… continue

History Lessons

Oklahoma gets state flag by Fluke

Oklahoma state flag

The story of Oklahoma’s state flag is actually a Fluke. A Louise Fluke, that is. In 1911, 105 years ago, Oklahoma revealed its first flag. It was a fluke in the usual sense. Using the red, white and blue colors of Old Glory, the state banner sported a white star with “46” in the middle,… continue