Flag of Arkansas

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Arkansas
Flag of Arkansas.svg
Other namesArkansas flag, Diamond flag
Use Civil and state flag FIAV 110000.svg FIAV normal.svg IFIS Mirror.svg IFIS Vertical normal.svg
Proportion2∶3
AdoptedFebruary 26, 1913;111 years ago (1913-02-26)
(modifications in 1923, 1924, and 2011)
DesignA rectangular field of red, on which is placed a large white diamond, bordered by a wide band of blue. Across the diamond is the word 'Arkansas' in blue and four blue stars, one above, three below the word. On the blue band are placed 25 stars.
Designed by Willie K. Hocker

The state flag of Arkansas, also known as the Arkansas flag, is a red banner charged with a large blue-bordered white lozenge (diamond). Twenty-nine five-pointed stars appear on the flag: twenty-five small white stars within the blue border, and four larger blue stars in the white diamond. The inscription "ARKANSAS" appears in blue within the white lozenge, with one star above and three stars below. The star above and the two outer stars below point upwards; the inner star below points downwards. The flag was designed by Willie K. Hocker of Wabbaseka, a member of the Pine Bluff Chapter of the Arkansas Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Contents

History

In 1912, the Pine Bluff Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution decided to present the newly commissioned battleship USS Arkansas with an official state flag. The chapter contacted Arkansas secretary of state Earle E. Hodges requesting information on how to obtain the state's flag. Hodges then informed the chapter that in fact no such state flag existed. With Hodge's support, the Pine Bluff Chapter began a statewide contest to design a new state flag. [1] A committee was appointed, and it asked for designs to be submitted for consideration. Hocker's design was "a rectangular field of red, on which is placed a large white diamond, bordered by a wide band of blue. Across the diamond is the word 'ARKANSAS'," (placed there by request of the committee) "and the blue stars, one above, two below the word. On the blue band are placed 25 white stars." [2]

In 1923, the legislature added a fourth star, representing the Confederate States. This fourth star was originally placed so that there were two stars above the state name and two below; this was to include the Confederate States alongside France, Spain, and the United States. Since this disturbed the other two meanings of the original three stars, the legislature corrected this in 1924 by placing the fourth star above "ARKANSAS" and the original three stars below it, as it is today. The 1924 design was confirmed as law in 1987 by Act 116, signed by Governor Bill Clinton. [3]

In 2011, Act 1205 (formerly House Bill 1546) was signed by Governor Mike Beebe, adding some more details to the flag. In the terms of colors, the red and blue used on the flag of Arkansas are Old Glory Red and Old Glory Blue. The Act also stated that flags purchased by the secretary of state must be manufactured in the United States. [4] [5]

In 2018, the original 1913 Arkansas state flag and a 1923 version both underwent an estimated $20,000 in restoration cost. [6]

Flag of Arkansas (Hocker).svg Flag of Arkansas (1913).svg Flag of Arkansas (1923).svg Flag of Arkansas (1924-2011).svg
Hocker flag proposal FIAV proposal.svg State flag (1913–1923) FIAV historical.svg State flag (1923–1924) FIAV historical.svg State flag (1924–2011) FIAV historical.svg

Design

The flag's elements have a complex symbolism. According to the 1987 state law defining the flag, [7] the diamond represents Arkansas' status as "the only diamond-bearing state in the Union". (Crater of Diamonds State Park was the only diamond mine in North America at the time, before more recent discoveries in Colorado and Montana. However, the state park is still the only place where the public can search for, and keep, diamonds.)

The number (25) of white stars around the border of the diamond represents Arkansas' position as the 25th state to join the Union.

The star above "ARKANSAS" represents the Confederacy, to which Arkansas was admitted on May 18, 1861. [8]

The three stars below "ARKANSAS" have three separate meanings: [8]

The statute states that the two outer, upward-pointing stars of the three are considered "twin stars" representing the "twin states" of Arkansas and Michigan, which it claims were admitted together on June 15, 1836. However, that part of the statute contains two inaccuracies:

In 2001, a survey conducted by the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) placed the Arkansas state flag 45th in design quality out of the 72 Canadian provincial, U.S. state, and U.S. territory flags ranked. [9]

Salute

The law defining the flag also defines a text to be used in saluting the flag: "I salute the Arkansas Flag with its diamond and stars. We pledge our loyalty to thee." [10] The salute was written by author Virginia Belcher Brock. [11]

See also

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References

  1. "Arkansas Secretary of State". www.sos.arkansas.gov. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Ware, David (January 14, 2019). "Official State Flag". Encyclopedia of Arkansas . Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  3. "As Governor, Bill Clinton Kept 'Confederate' Star On The Arkansas Flag". The Huffington Post. June 22, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  4. "Bill Information". Arkansas State Legislature - 88th General Assembly. 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  5. Lyon, John (February 28, 2011). "Flag bill flies | Arkansas News". Arkansasnews.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  6. "Arkansas' original state flag among 2 set for $20,000 makeover". Arkansas Online. November 13, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  7. Ark. Code Ann. (1987), Section 14101; cited in B.F. Shearer and B.S. Shearer (2002), State Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols, Greenwood Press, p. 54
  8. 1 2 3 "The Story of the Arkansas Flag". www.sos.arkansas.gov. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  9. "2001 State/Provincial Flag Survey - NAVA.org" (PDF). nava.org.
  10. "A.C.A. § 1-4-102" . Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  11. "Salute to the State Flag". www.sos.arkansas.gov. Retrieved January 17, 2021.

Further reading