The State Flag of Arkansas
The state flag of Arkansas is a crimson field featuring a blue-bordered, white diamond. Twenty-five white stars appear within the blue border. Another four blue stars are inside the white diamond; one above the name Arkansas with three below. Arkansas's state flag has a storied history and symbolism attached to it. Keep reading to learn more about this great state's flag.
History
The battleship USS Arkansas was scheduled for commissioning early in the 1900s. The Pine Bluff chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution wanted to present a state flag for the ceremony, but discovered there was no state flag. The chapter then sponsored a contest, which was won by Willie Kavanaugh Hocker, a member. The original design was almost identical to the current version except there was only two stars underneath the name Arkansas. A fourth star was added in 1923. Originally, it was added above the name, but was later moved below it.
Symbolism
The diamond originally represented the fact that Arkansas was the only state in the Union that produced diamonds, although discoveries have been made in Colorado and Montana since. The 25 white stars in the blue border around the diamond pay homage to Arkansas joining the Union as the 25th state. The single blue star above the name of the state was added to honor the Confederate States of America, which Arkansas joined in secession. Three separate meanings are attributed to the trio of blue stars underneath the state name. First, they represent the three nations to which Arkansas has belonged to in its history: Spain, France and the United States. Second, they refer to the Louisiana Purchase, which was signed in 1803, bringing Arkansas into America. Last, the three stars represent Arkansas' status as the third state from the purchase, after Louisiana and Missouri.
The state flag of Arkansas is a piece of living history that has undergone many changes. In 2011, legislation was signed stating that the colors of the flag are not just red and blue, but Old Glory Red and Old Glory Blue. The same act also requires the all flags purchased by the Arkansas state government are manufactured in the United States.