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Return to:   Benny Benson: Alaska's Flag and its Designer - Alaska was nearing its 60th year under the U.S. flag when Alaska Gov. George A. Parks decided it was time the territory had its own official flag.
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Alaska State Flag

Alaska State Museum, American Legion Collection, Designs by School Children for Alaska's Flag, 1927.  At the request of Governor George A. Parks, the Alaska Chapter of the American Legion conducted a contest among the Territory's school children to choose Alaska's flag design. Benny Benson's original design for the Alaska territorial flag was painted with blue paint on construction paper. The flag is painted on a separate piece of paper, which has been cut out and glued to the main sheet. The flag represents the constellation Ursa Major (Big Dipper and North Star) against a blue field. Writing in pencil below the flag design states, "The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the foret-me-not (sic), 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, symbolising strenth [strength]." A photo of Benny Benson is attached (probably after the design was submitted) to the upper right corner. Reverse is signed by members of the selection committee. Alaska State Museum - Juneau.

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