Flags of the U.S. states

The flags of the U.S. states exhibit a wide variety of regional influences and local histories, as well as widely different styles and design principles. Modern state flags date from the 1890s when states wanted to have distinctive symbols at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Most state flags were designed and adopted between 1893 and World War I. [cite web |url=http://www.nava.org/Flag%20Information/qa/qa8.htm |title=Questions & Answers |accessdate=2007-03-20 |last=Artimovich |first=Nick |publisher=North American Vexillological Association |pages=p.8]

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 2001–2003 state flag was rated the worst design. [ cite web|url=http://www.nava.org/Flag%20Design/State&Provincial%20Survey%202001/surveyresults.htm |title=NEW MEXICO TOPS STATE/PROVINCIAL FLAGS SURVEY, GEORGIA LOSES BY WIDE MARGIN |accessdate=2007-10-07 |last=Kaye |first=Ted |date=2001-06-10 |publisher=North American Vexillological Association ]

Current state flags

Years in parenthesis denote the year the flag was adopted by the state's legislature.

Current state ensigns

Maine and Massachusetts have ensigns differing from the state flag for use at sea.

Historic state flags

ee also

* Lists of U.S. state insignia
* Flags of the Confederate States of America
* Flags of the United States (including commonwealth, territory, and federal district flags)

References