Alaska State Flag

Description

Nylon vs Polyester

Nyon

Our Nylon flags are crafted using aniline-dyed 100% heavyweight 200-denier nylon bunting. Nylon material is fast drying, treated to resist fading and flies in the slightest breeze. Finished with white poly-cotton header.

Polyester

Our Poly-Max Flags are crafted using 2-ply 100% polyester bunting. The open weave construction reduces wind resistance, increasing flag life. Poly-Max material is extremely durable and ideal for commercial applications and high wind areas. Finished with white poly-cotton header.

The Simple Flag of the Last Frontier

Much of the United States within certain geographic regions have similarities to each other. Alaska, however, is a one-of-a-kind state. Although Alaska’s geographical size is only slightly above 650,000 square miles, its population is a scant 731,000. The northernmost U.S. state and one of only two states outside the contiguous United States, the story behind Alaska’s state flag is, fittingly, also unique.

The story behind Alaska’s state flag can be traced back to a specific moment in history. In early 1926, Territorial Governor George Parks was in Washington, D.C. advocating for Alaska’s statehood. He noticed Alaska’s flag was missing and that the other 48 states all had flags represented in the nation’s capital. So, in a bid to get Alaska a state flag that would reflect the distinctive of the state, Territorial Governor Parks set up a contest for 7-12th grade students in Alaska to design the first official state flag.

The winner of the contest was Aleut Alaskan native Benny Benson, a 7th-grade student in the Seward territory. Benny was awarded a watch with the Alaskan flag emblem and $1,000 to put toward college tuition. His design was a blue background with the big dipper and the north star, with 8 stars in total. Although a simple design, the judges of the contest thought Benny’s deeply thought-out rationale for the flag went above and beyond what they asked for. As part of Benny’s explanation for his design, Benny said, “The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaska flower. The North Star is for the future of the state of Alaska, the most northerly in the Union. The dipper is for the Great Bear – symbolizing strength.”

The Alaskan state flag was first flown on July 9, 1927. Benny Benson was praised for his accomplishment by Alaskan natives, who had only four years prior received the right to vote in the territory. Today, the Alaskan flag stands as a testament to American opportunity and ingenuity and serves as the perfect emblem to represent the state of Alaska.

Interested in purchasing a high-quality, durable Alaska state flag? Order yours today through Volunteer Flag Company!