Flag of Alaska

Alaska State Flag

benny_benson_memorial.jpg

Benny Benson Memorial

The Benny Benson Memorial located in Seward, Alaska. Photo by Ryan Prager.

Benny Benson Memorial;   Photo by Ryan Prager. (Public Domain Image).

Alaska's Flag

Alaska's state flag features The Big Dipper ("Ursa Major" or "Great Bear" constellation) as a symbol of strength, and Polaris (the North Star ) as a symbol of Alaska's northern location and "the ever constant star for the mariner, the explorer, hunter, trapper, prospector, woodsman, and the surveyor..." (quote from legislation). The blue background represents the sky, sea, lakes, and wildflowers of Alaska (the official state flower is also blue). All State Flags

History of Alaska's Flag

The Alaska state flag (selected for its simplicity, originality, and symbolism) was created by Benny Benson, a 13-year-old 7th grader from an orphanage in Seward, Alaska (John Bell Bensona; 1913-1972). Seward honors him with a monument on 3rd Avenue. Benny entered a flag design contest to create a symbol for the territory of Alaska. Little did he know that his simple yet profound design would become a lasting emblem of Alaskan pride. Benny submitted this description with his design:

"The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaskan flower. The North Star is for the future state of Alaska, the most northerly in the union. The Dipper is for the Great Bear – symbolizing strength."

Alaska's state song is titled "Alaska's Flag."

Notes: The North star is also found on the state flag of Maine. The Big Dipper constellation also contains "The Delaware Diamond" (state star of Delaware).

Alaska

Images

Seward welcome sign located in next to Benny Benson Memorial. Photo by Ryan Prager.

Close up of the Benny Benson Memorial in Seward, Alaska. Photo by Ryan Prager.

Close up of the Benny Benson Memorial in Seward, Alaska. Photo by Ryan Prager.

Alaska's state flag; public domain image on Wikipedia. All State Flags

Flag of Alaska

Alaska's flag; photo by a'at on Flickr (use permitted with attribution / share alike).

Alaska's flag waving