The flag of North Dakota represents the U.S. state of North Dakota. Adopted on March 11, 1911, its design is an almost exact replica of the regimental banner carried by the state's troop contingent in the Philippine–American War (1899–1902), the only difference being that the unit designation inscribed on the scroll was replaced by the state's name.
Design and specifications Statute The North Dakota Century Code specifies that the flag of North Dakota must:
The statute further specifies that:
The statute continues by specifying that:
And in the concluding note that:
Colors Reproductions of the flag of North Dakota must adhere to the official design and industry color chart codes provided by the state historical society, designating the following color guide:
NamePantoneUsage on FlagGold131 CScroll ornamentation; shield border on eagle; eagle iris; "E Pluribus Unum"; scroll border in eagle's beak; 13 stars; sunburstRed187 CScroll beneath eagle; shield stripes; eagle tongue; olive branch berries; scroll in eagle's beakYellow1225 CEagle feet and beakBrown139 CShadows on eagle feet and beakGreen356 COlive branchYellow-Green384 COlive branchSilver409 CEagle claws; arrow shafts and points; tail feather coverts; wing covertsDark Brown469 CArrow fletching and points; eagle thigh feathers; wing marginal coverts and alulaLight Tan468 CTail feathers; arrow points; primaries and secondaries of wings; eagle neck and headMedium Brown1535 CArrow points; top feathers of marginal coverts and alula; eagle breastMedium Blue301 CChief on eagle's shieldWhiteWhiteWords "North Dakota" on scroll; shield stripes; eye reflection; top head feathersBlackBlackEagle pupil and nostrilDark Blue (Flag Field)654 CFlag background
Design
The flag's official proportions are 33:26, which is notably shorter than many other state flags. However, in practice, the flag is often produced and sold in 5:3 ratios.
According to state law, the design of the flag mirrors that of the First North Dakota Infantry's standard during the Spanish–American War and the Philippine–American War. This makes the flag similar to the greater coat of arms of the United States, and nearly identical to many other regimental standards, and current state flags.
A banner with the national coat of arms was carried by all infantry regiments from 1890 to 1904, with the sole distinction being the unit designation inscribed on the scroll underneath the coat of arms.Report of The North Dakota State Flag Commission The regimental colors of the North Dakotan troops, for instance, were adorned with the inscription "1st North Dakota Infantry".
It is one of nine U.S. state flags to feature an eagle, alongside those of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming.
History
Pre-official flags (before 1911) In 1889, members of a local temperance chapter made a state flag to be displayed at their personal booth during the Paris Exposition. It was again displayed at National temperance conference in Chicago . The flag was later sold for $10 ($356 adjusted for inflation).Oakes weekly Republican, October 3, 1890 Its design is not known.
There was mention of "North Dakota banners" on display during the 1906 State Fair, but their design remains unknown. While the wording suggests they were in some way representative of or associated with the state, it's unclear whether they were flags, military banners, or something else entirely.
In early 1909 a committee was set up to select a design for a state flag.The evening times, March 1, 1909, p.1 They received many proposals but on March 4, they sent the outline to the state legislative assembly.The Evening Times (Grand Forks, N.D.). March 4, 1909, p. 2. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. LCCN sn85042373. Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn85042373/1909-03-04/ed-1/?sp=2&q=state+flag&r=-0.63,-0.01,1.703,0.775,0. It was described as a white-bordered flag of 3:4 proportions, featuring three horizontal stripes: a blue stripe at the top, a wider white stripe in the center, and a red stripe at the bottom. In the center of the white stripe appeared the state seal, with the word "North" to its left, and "Dakota" to its right. In the center of the blue stripe, was a white star bearing the number 39, with the date "March 4" to the left of the star, and the year "1909" to the right. In the center of the red stripe was a golden bundle of grain with a prairie rose on each side.
On March 5, 1909 Mr. Fraine proposed a state flag consisting of a blue background with the state coat of arms in the center. The idea was immediately turned down by the house.Bismarck daily tribune, March 5, 1909 p.1-4Dickinson press, March 20, 1909
Current flag (1911–present) Colonel John H. Fraine, a former officer who had commanded North Dakotan troops during the war, was serving as a Representative in the North Dakota Legislature in 1911. On January 21, 1911, he introduced House Bill No. 152 (H.B. 152), proposing that the flag carried by the First North Dakota Infantry Regiment be adopted as the official state flag.Bismarck daily tribune, January 22, 1911
The design was officially approved by the North Dakota Legislative Assembly on March 3, 1911, though the original legislation did not specify the flag’s precise colors or proportions.Flag of North Dakota, statesymbolsusa.com. In 1943, additional legislation was enacted to more closely align the state flag's design with the original military banner it was based on.
1951 Flag Commission
In 1951, the North Dakota State Flag Commission was established by S.B. No. 156 (1951 S.L., ch.303) to assess the flag's origins, dimensions, and its suitability as a symbol for North Dakota. Composed of five members appointed by the Governor, the commission operated until December 31, 1952.
While acknowledging flag's long-standing presence since 1911 and its association with North Dakota troops in historic conflicts, the commission noted that these factors alone did not inherently make it emblematic of the state. Despite minor variations, they deemed the flag too closely resembled the United States coat of arms, suggesting that its symbolism belonged to the entire nation rather than any individual state, and emphasized the importance of distinctiveness. In pursuit of a more fitting motif, the commission explored various avenues including historical figures, state nicknames, and indigenous symbols. However, each option presented challenges or lacked resonance with North Dakota's identity. Certain themes were deemed either historically inaccurate or too regionally specific. Here, the commission deemed the sources of symbolism that would later be used for the state's coat of arms as unsuitable, leaving only the color palette as a point of agreement.
Through a process of elimination, the commission arrived at wheat and sunset as the most suitable symbols for the state flag. Wheat, as the primary crop and symbol of North Dakota's agricultural heritage, represented the state's economic backbone. While the sunset exemplified the state's distinctive sunsets and natural beauty. The commission's recommendation ultimately resulted in a proposal: a green flag adorned with golden wheat stems and heads, accompanied by a radiant golden sunset. This design aimed to encapsulate the essence of the state's identity while adhering to principles of originality, symbolism, and simplicity, as outlined by the commission's thorough examination of flag design principles and historical context.
The proposed changes were ultimately met with resistance. S.B. No. 265, incorporating the commission's suggestions, was presented in the 1953 session but failed to pass.
1989 Centennial Flag A flag was created by the North Dakota Centennial Commission in 1985, a few years ahead of the state's 1989 centennial celebration.
Set against a white background, the flag features the official centennial logo. At its center is a depiction of The Pioneer Family statue sculpted by Avard Fairbanks (showing pioneers standing atop the Badlands) beneath a vast blue sky. The scene looks out over a North Dakotan landscape with the Missouri River. The years “1889” and “1989” flank the circular graphic, while the words “NORTH DAKOTA CENTENNIAL” appear below, with CENTENNIAL rendered in a distinctive Old West-inspired font.
The logo was illustrated by Burdette B. Calkins, who described it as a tribute to North Dakota’s people and land symbolizing the state’s legacy of immigrant settlement, agricultural development, and enduring spirit.
Gallery
See also List of flags of North Dakota Flags of governors of the U.S. states Symbols of the state of North Dakota Seal of North Dakota
References
External links Information about the flag on the official website of the State of North Dakota