Flags of the U.S. states and territories

The flags of the U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) exhibit a variety of regional influences and local histories, as well as different styles and design principles. Modern U.S. state flags date from the turn of the 20th century, when states considered distinctive symbols for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. Most U.S. state flags were designed and adopted between 1893 and World War I.

The most recently adopted state flag is that of Utah, adopted on March 9, 2024; while the most recently adopted territorial flag is that of the Northern Mariana Islands, adopted on July 1, 1985. The flag of the District of Columbia was adopted in 1938. Recent legislation in Massachusetts (2021) has started the process of redesigning their state flag. Illinois legislature will start the redesign process in September 2024. Maine and Michigan also have plans to redesign their flags in the future, but have not been confirmed.

Despite a variety of designs, the majority of the states' flags share the same design pattern consisting of the state seal superimposed on a monochrome background, commonly a shade of blue, which remains a source of criticism from vexillologists. According to a 2001 survey by the North American Vexillological Association, New Mexico has the best-designed flag of any U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canadian province, while Georgia's state flag was rated the worst (the latter of which has been changed since the survey was conducted).

Current state flags

Listed alphabetically with their respective date of adoption.

Current federal district flag

This is the current flag of the District of Columbia.

Current territory flags

These are the current official flags of the five permanently inhabited territories of the United States. Dates in parentheses denote when the territory's current flag was adopted by its respective political body.

Current state ensigns

Maine and Massachusetts have ensigns for use at sea.

Commemorative state flags

Future state flags

Historical state and territory flags

Former state flags

Former territory flags

American Civil War

Pre-Texan Revolution

Texan Revolution

California Republic

Other

Native American flags

Many Native American nations have tribal sovereignty, with jurisdiction over their members and reserved land. Although reservations are on state land, the laws of the state(s) do not necessarily apply. Below are the flags of some of the largest Indian tribes reservations by population and area:

Unofficial flags of atolls, reefs, and other islands

The U.S. national flag is the official flag for all islands, atolls, and reefs composing the United States Minor Outlying Islands. However, unofficial flags are sometimes used to represent some of the insular areas in the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands:

See also

• Flag of the United States
• Flags of governors of the U.S. states
• List of flags of the United States (including county, city and historical flags)
• List of U.S. state, district, and territorial insignia
• Flags of the Confederate States

Notes

References

External links

• List of State Flags at State Symbols USA

1. Timeline of U.S. state flags
2. Territories of the United States
3. Gallery of sovereign state flags
4. List of flags of the United States
5. List of U.S. states and territories by population
6. List of U.S. states and territories by area
7. Flag of the United States
8. List of U.S. states and territories by GDP
9. List of U.S. states and territories by coastline
10. Flag of the United States Virgin Islands
11. List of states and territories of the United States by population density
12. Gallery of flags of dependent territories
13. Flags of North America
14. List of U.S. states and territories by income
15. List of U.S. states and territories by violent crime rate
16. List of U.S. states and territories by median wage and mean wage
17. List of U.S. states and territories by historical population
18. Historical flags of the British Empire and the overseas territories
19. List of U.S. states and territories by life expectancy
20. Flags of governors of the U.S. states