Flag of Alaska

Statute The official design of the flag is outlined in the Alaska Statutes by The Alaska State Legislature, which explains the flag's colors and symbolism, along with proper display, folding, presentation, and retirement of the flag. It is specified that the flag of Alaska is: Symbolism Sec. 44.09.020. State flag. Colors ==Origin==

Thirty-two years before Alaska became a state, the Alaska Department of the American Legion sponsored a territorial contest for Alaskan children from seventh grade (age 12–13) to twelfth grade (age 17–18) to design a flag for the territory. In 1927, the contest committee chose fourteen year-old Benny Benson's design to represent the future flag of the Territory of Alaska. Benson, an Alaska Native, was a resident at the Jesse Lee Home for Children in Seward. In many sources Benson is said to have been an orphan, but his father was still alive when he began work on his design. Most other entries featured variations on the territorial seal, the midnight sun, the northern lights, polar bears, and gold pans. (Previously this article stated "roughly 700 other submissions" but other sources say there were just 142 design submissions.) To celebrate his achievement, Benson was awarded a scholarship worth $1,000 and an engraved watch. Alaskans had flown only the U.S. flag in the period between the territory's purchase from Russia in 1867 and the selection of Benson's design in 1927. Benny looked to the sky for the symbols he included in his design. Choosing the familiar constellation he looked for every night before going to sleep at the orphanage, he submitted this description with it: Gallery File:The United States flag flies above the Alaska State flag at the Kodiak Launch Complex in Kodiak Alaska. The 114th Combat Communications Squadron (CBCS), Patrick AFB, Florida, along - DPLA - 69356cad07c8f3850c1f6b3ec479300f.jpeg|Flag of Alaska flying below the United States flag. File:Alaska license plate, 1982.png|Alaskan license plate from 1981 to 1997, which featured the Alaskan state flag on it. File:Alaska Bicentennial 13c 1976 issue.jpg|The Alaska state flag as depicted in the 1976 bicentennial postage stamp series. File:Flag of Alaska (1928).png|State flag from 1928 File:Flag of Alaska (1929).png|State flag from 1929 ==History==

Russian-American Company Flag Between 1799 and 1867 Alaska was governed by the Russian-American Company (RAC), a state-sponsored commercial company initially headquartered in Irkutsk, then St. Petersburg, Russia. The flag flown by the Company's ships and their shore establishments was Russia's commercial flag (civil ensign). On September 28 (October 10, new style) 1806, Aleksandr I, Emperor of Russia made a notation on the design submitted to him of a new flag for the Russian-American Company; "So be it", and added his cypher, thereby approving the first flag in Russia's history to be used by an Imperial chartered company. After Imperial confirmation, the case was heard in the Senate and on October 19, 1806, was sent for execution to the main office of the Russian-American Company (RAC), and also to the Admiralty and Commerce colleges. The new Company flag design of 1806 placed the Imperial eagle in the upper left quarter of Russia's commercial flag. In order that the State symbol remain unobstructed and more visible the width of the white stripe was enlarged to cover roughly one half of the flag's width. The normal width proportions of Russia's commercial flag were equal thirds. The Imperial eagle carried a scroll that dipped into the blue stripe, also for more visibility, which read, in abbreviated form "Russian American Company's". The symbolism of the scroll beneath the Imperial eagle complements the official version of the Company's name "Under His Imperial Majesty's Protection Russian-American Company." The flag flew over Alaska until October 18, 1867, when all Russian and American Company holdings in Alaska were sold to the United States. State flag The Alaska Legislature adopted Benson's design as the official flag for the Territory of Alaska on May 2, 1927. The first flag made based on Benny's design was made of blue silk and appliquéd gold stars. It was retained as the state flag at statehood in 1959. The flag's symbolism is described in the state song, "Alaska's Flag." Historical flags ==See also==