Flag of North Dakota

U.S. state flag

North Dakota

Use| Civil and state flag
Proportion| 26:33 (3:5 also in use)
Adopted| March 3, 1911 (1911-03-03) (standardized 1943)
Design| A shield blazoned "Paleways of 13 pieces, argent and gules; a chief, azure" upon the breast of a bald eagle with outspread wings and opened beak bearing in one talon an olive branch, and a sheaf of seven arrows in the other. In its beak a red scroll bearing the motto 'E pluribus unum' in gold letters. Above are thirteen gold stars in two parallel arches of 7 and 6, surmounted by a gold sunburst. Below is a red scroll inscribed with the state's name in white letters. All on a blue field.
Flag of the Governor of North Dakota

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.

## History

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The flag of the 1st North Dakota Infantry.

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.[1]

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.[2] In 1943, additional legislation was enacted to more closely align the state flag's design with the original military banner it was based on.

There was mention of "North Dakota banners" on display during the 1906 State Fair, but their design remains unknown.[3] 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.

## Design and specifications

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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.[4][5] The state code specifies that the flag must be made from blue silk or another material capable of withstanding the elements.[6]

The greater coat of arms of the United States of America.

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.[6] This makes the flag similar to the greater coat of arms of the United States, and nearly identical to many other regimental standards.

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.[7] 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.

## 1951 Flag Commission

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The design recommended for adoption by the North Dakota State Flag Commission. Front cover of the 1952 report of the North Dakota State Flag Commission.

In 1951, the North Dakota State Flag Commission was established by S.B. No. 156 (1951 S.L., ch.303) to evaluate the state flag's design. Composed of five members appointed by the Governor, the Commission operated until December 31, 1952, with a mandate to thoroughly assess the flag's origins, dimensions, and its suitability as a symbol for North Dakota.

Regarding the flag's suitability as a symbol of North Dakota, the commission weighed both its historical significance and its alignment with the state's identity. While acknowledging its 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. Examining the design's resemblance to the United States coat of arms, the commission emphasized the importance of distinctiveness. Despite minor variations, they deemed the flag too closely resembled the national emblem, suggesting that its symbolism belonged to the entire nation rather than any individual state.

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 also deemed either historically inaccurate or too regionally specific. Interestingly, the commission deemed the sources of symbolism that would 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 breathtaking sunsets unique to North Dakota captured the state's natural beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes. The commission's recommendation thus crystallized into a proposal: a green flag adorned with golden wheat stems and heads, accompanied by a radiant golden sunset—a tribute to North Dakota's agricultural prowess and celestial splendor. 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.[8][9][10][7]

## 1989 Centennial Flag

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A flag was created by the North Dakota Centennial Commission in 1985, a few years ahead of the state's 1989 centennial celebration.[11]

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

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* Flag of North Dakota at the International Peace Garden, North Dakota-Manitoba Border.

* The North Dakota state flag as depicted in the 1976 bicentennial postage stamp series.

* Gov. Doug Burgum (2016–2024) wearing a North Dakota State Flag lapel pin.

* President Trump meets with Governors Doug Burgum and Jared Polis, with the North Dakota State Flag in the background.

* Gov. John Hoeven (2000–2010) wears a North Dakota State Flag patch on his jacket at a press conference in Fargo.

## See also

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* Flags of governors of the U.S. states
* Symbols of the state of North Dakota
* Seal of North Dakota

## References

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1. ^ "Section 4: The Flag of North Dakota | 8th Grade North Dakota Studies". www.ndstudies.gov. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
2. ^ Flag of North Dakota, statesymbolsusa.com.
3. ^ Humanities, National Endowment for the (1906-07-28). "The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, July 28, 1906, Image 3". ISSN 2688-9447. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
4. ^ "North Dakota State Flag". World Population Review. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
5. ^ "The History of the North Dakota State Flag". US Flag Supply. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
6. ^ a b "North Dakota State Flag Official Details". State Historical Society of North Dakota. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
7. ^ a b Report of The North Dakota State Flag Commission
8. ^ "Sale and conveyance of state owned lands" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-03-15.
9. ^ "Flag Commission - State Agencies - Archives State Historical Society of North Dakota -".
10. ^ "North Dakota State Symbols".
11. ^ "North Dakota (U.S.)". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 2025-05-26.

## External links

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* Information about the flag on the official website of the State of North Dakota

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