The State Flag of North Carolina

The history and symbolism of the state flag of North Carolina begins in 1775, with what is known as the Mecklenburg Declaration. The state of North Carolina maintained that it was the first state among the 13 colonies to declare independence from Great Britain, over a full year before the 13 colonies together declared independence. This is why the date of May 20th, 1775 adorns the modern state flag of North Carolina. It is unknown whether this is a true fact, since the original documents are lost to history, and no accurate corroborating evidence exists to support the claim. Still, the date remains part of the state flag of North Carolina.

April 12, 1776 - The Halifax Resolves

The state flag also lists another date, April 12, 1776. This date marks the resolution of the Halifax Resolves. This allowed North Carolina's congressional delegates to join in a declaration of independence that was prior stymied by lack of public support, among other issues.

The state flag of North Carolina during the time of independence is not what is seen flying today. The Civil War and the secession of the state of North Carolina brought many changes. Prior to secession, the three fields (or color blocks) of the flag were different. The part of the flag that is currently blue, was red. But with secession from the Union, blue was adopted to recognize the unofficial flag of the confederate states, known as the Bonnie Blue Flag. This is the flag seen today.