The State Flag of Alaska

Alaska is the largest and northernmost state in the United States of America. The flag of Alaska reflects the location and nature of the state it represents.

Before statehood

The flag of the Russian-American Company flew over Alaska until October 18, 1867 when the lands were officially sold to the United States. The Territory of Alaska simply flew the then-current United States of America flag until 1927. The American Legion ran a contest for Alaskan junior and senior high school students to design a flag specifically for Alaska. Benny Benson's design was chosen over 700 other submissions. He won a $1,000 and an engraved watch.

Design

Benny Benson's simple design is a flag where the height is two-thirds the length. The background is navy blue, with eight yellow stars. Seven are in the shape of The Big Dipper constellation, with the eighth and largest star in the top right corner. The largest star represents the North Star.

Symbolism

Benson chose a blue field as the background for two reasons: the Alaska sky and forget-me-not flowers found in Alaska. The Great Dipper constellation is formally known as Ursa Major, symbolizing bears, an animal indigenous and populous in Alaskan wilderness. The last two stars in Ursa Major are used by novices to locate Polaris, the North Star. This is a common method of determining the northern direction when in the wilderness.

Benny Benson's flag flew as the official flag of the Alaska Territory until 1957. It then became the official state flag of Alaska and has flown since, unchanged. To this day, Alaskan citizens learn of the symbolism through the state song, "Alaska's Flag."