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On February 27, 1917, just five years after attaining statehood, Arizona adopted its state flag. Unlike many other state flags, which were based on military colors or other banners flown during the Civil War (1861-65), Arizona's design was inspired by the state's own natural setting. The rays above the dark blue stripe suggest a colorful Arizona sunset over a desert in shadow, and the central star represents the state as a rich copper-producing area. The star is supposed to be represented in metallic copper but usually is manufactured in an orange-tan shade. The red and yellow are colors from the Spanish flag, recalling early explorers of the area, while the shades of red and blue are the same as those in the Stars and Stripes, indicating American patriotism.
The flag was designed by Charles W. Harris, the adjutant general of the Arizona National Guard, and the first copy was sewn by Nancy Hayden, wife of Carl Hayden, who served Arizona in the U.S. Congress for 56 years. Before its adoption in 1917, the flag was carried by the Arizona National Guard rifle team during a trip to Ohio. |
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Arizona
Official name: State of Arizona.
State nickname: the Grand Canyon State.
Total area: 114,006 sq mi, 295,276 sq km.
Population (2000): 5,130,632.
Population by race, origin (1997): white non-Hispanic 68.4%; white Hispanic 20.5%; black (including Hispanic) 3.5%; American Indian/Eskimo/Aleut 5.6%; Asian/Pacific Islander 2.0%.
Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1995): 8.8 (U.S. avg. 6.0).
Gross domestic (state) product (1996): U.S.$111,500,000,000 (U.S.$25,150 per capita).
Land use (1992): federal land 42.0%; non-federal land 58.0%, of which forest 6.5%, cropland 1.6%, pasture 0.1%, rangeland 44.1%, urban and built-up areas 1.9%, other 3.8%.
Exports by state (1997): U.S.$13,820,000,000; percent of national total 2.24%.
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