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The territories of the United States typically did not have flags of their own prior to statehood. Alaska nevertheless held a competition in 1926, sponsored by the American Legion, which sought a distinctive territorial flag. The following year the Alaskan legislature approved the winning design, which remained unchanged when the territory became a state in 1959.
The creator of the flag was Benny Benson, a 13-year-old boy living in an orphanage. He chose straightforward symbols that struck a chord with Alaskans of all ages and backgrounds. The flag's dark blue color symbolizes the Alaskan sky and the ubiquitous forget-me-not flowers that announce the arrival of spring. The stars emblazoned on this background can be seen clearly in the Alaskan sky. The North Star is an appropriate symbol for Alaska as the northernmost part of the United States; the two previously northernmost states, Minnesota and Maine, also show the North Star in their flags. |
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Alaska
Official name: State of Alaska.
State nickname: The Last Frontier.
Total area: 615,230 sq mi, 1,593,444 sq km.
Population (2000): 626,932.
Population by race, origin (1997): white non-Hispanic 72.7%; white Hispanic 3.1%; black (including Hispanic) 3.9%; American Indian/Eskimo/Aleut 15.9%; Asian/Pacific Islander 4.4%.
Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1995): 12.8 (U.S. avg. 6.0).
Gross domestic (state) product (1996): U.S.$24,200,000,000 (U.S.$40,000 per capita).
Exports by state (1997): U.S.$2,721,000,000; percent of national total 0.44%.
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