Many of the flags of the US states are striking in their originality and unusual design. Almost all of them were invented before the First World War. For example, the flag of South Carolina shows a palm tree. But on the banner of Wyoming, a bison flaunts. But the most interesting among them, undoubtedly, is the flag of Alaska. Photos, meaning, as well as the history of its creation - in our article!
Alaska is the largest and most northern
The largest state in the United States is also distinguished by its solid natural resource potential. It produces oil, gold, gas, copper, zinc, deer are bred and fish on a large scale. State area - 1.7 million square meters. km Moreover, almost 15% of its territory falls on the water surface. In addition to the peninsula of the same name, the state of Alaska includes a chain of Aleutian islands, the Alexander archipelago and a narrow strip of the Pacific coast extending far to the south.
"The Last Frontier" or "Land of the Midnight Sun" are the state’s most famous nicknames. But the name "Alaska" has Aleutian roots and translates as "whale spot".
Below are some more interesting facts about this American state that will help you better understand its features and geography:
- here are located the extreme northern and extreme western points of the USA;
- Alaska is only 3.5 kilometers from the territory of Russia;
- in 1867, the peninsula was bought by the American authorities from Russia for 7.2 million dollars;
- during the years of the so-called "gold rush" in Alaska, about one thousand tons of gold was mined;
- Alaska (Fairbanks) has the world's largest battery;
- in 1964, an earthquake occurred on the peninsula, which was the second strongest in the history of the Earth;
- Only in Alaska can ordered pizza be delivered to you by plane!
Flag of Alaska: photos, description and symbols
What does the flag of the northernmost state of the USA look like? And who invented it? We will tell you more about this later.
The flag of Alaska is a standard rectangular cloth of blue color. It has eight yellow stars. Seven of them represent the constellation Ursa Major, which in its shape resembles many a bucket with a long handle. Another star (the largest in size) is located in the upper right corner of the banner. It denotes the North Star, which is traditionally oriented in unfamiliar areas.
The blue cloth of the flag symbolizes two things at the same time. Firstly, the cold and clear sky hanging over the peninsula. And secondly, the color of forget-me-nots - one of the symbols of Alaska.
The constellation Ursa Major on the flag symbolizes power and confidence in the future. The North Star is also not accidental in the main symbol of Alaska. She became a successful and very concise symbol of the North as such.
Who created the flag of Alaska?
The state itself was officially formed in 1959. But the flag for this territory was developed much earlier. Who is its author?
The flag of Alaska, distinguished by its simplicity and naivety, was invented by a child! The author of the sketch was John "Benny" Benson. He was born in a small settlement Chignik, in a rather poor family. In the body of the future author of the flag of Alaska, Swedish (from the father) and Eskimo blood (from the mother) flowed.
To get a secondary education, Benny Benson was forced to go to the city of Seward. It was at this time, by order of the governor of the region, a competition for the best flag sketch for Alaska was announced among schoolchildren. The simple project of 13-year-old teenager Benny Benson seemed to the jury members of this contest the most successful. And in 1927, the new flag of Alaska was officially established.
For winning the competition, Benny Benson received 1,000 US dollars (a considerable amount at that time). In the future, he will use this money to enroll in an engineering school in Hamfield.
Benson's subsequent life was ordinary and not very remarkable: working as a mechanic, marrying and giving birth to two daughters, divorce, death of relatives (brother and sister). The author of the flag of Alaska himself died of a heart attack at the age of 58. In memory of him, in Seward, grateful descendants erected a modest monument.
Finally…
The flag of Alaska is very original. It is generally accepted that it depicts two bears at once, but in a stylized, astronomical form. Eight yellow stars are applied to the blue cloth . Seven of them form the constellation Ursa Major familiar to everyone. The eighth (Polar) is located in the upper right corner of the flag. And she, as you know, is the main one in the constellation Ursa Minor.