The largest state (in the area) of the United States, Alaska was admitted to the union as the 49th state in 1959 and lies at the extreme northwest of the North American continent. Acquired by the United States in 1867, the territory was dubbed "Seward's Folly" after U.S. Secretary of State William Seward, who arranged to purchase the land from Russia.
In the end, a design by a 7th-grade student and orphan, John Bell (Benny) Benson, was chosen. His contribution to Alaska would later go on to be recognized in the form of Benson Boulevard, Benny Benson Drive, and Benny Benson Secondary School which were all named after him.
In 1926, the American Legion held a territorial contest for school kids in Alaska, for designing the official Alaska flag. Out of the overwhelming work of numerous contestants across the State, the innovative concept of Benny was selected.
Benny’s artful creativity was most definitely inspired by his own life’s experience and hardships, but his remarkable contribution to Alaska history also encouraged his fellow Alaska Natives, who had received citizenship and the right to vote only four years prior to Benson’s win.
Being part of the Ursa Major, the Big Dipper meant intense strength and the Pole or the North star symbolized Alaska, the prospective state of the Union. Benny's Alaska flag was an example of sheer simplicity, steeped in rich symbolism. Thus Benny was rewarded with a gold watch and some prize money for his brilliant idea and his flag was adopted as the Alaska state flag. The moving description of Benny's flag had also been incorporated into the flag song, the official song of the State.
There is a barrage of cheap and inferior California flags being imported and sold, that do not comply with the flag statute. This is bad for a number of reasons. Imported flags are cheaply made and more importantly, the designs, materials, colors, and methods of printing do not compare well with the better quality, longer-lasting, and correctly designed flags made by American manufacturers. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of California flag for the future.
In the end, a design by a 7th-grade student and orphan, John Bell (Benny) Benson, was chosen. His contribution to Alaska would later go on to be recognized in the form of Benson Boulevard, Benny Benson Drive, and Benny Benson Secondary School which were all named after him.
In 1926, the American Legion held a territorial contest for school kids in Alaska, for designing the official Alaska flag. Out of the overwhelming work of numerous contestants across the State, the innovative concept of Benny was selected.
Benny’s artful creativity was most definitely inspired by his own life’s experience and hardships, but his remarkable contribution to Alaska history also encouraged his fellow Alaska Natives, who had received citizenship and the right to vote only four years prior to Benson’s win.
Being part of the Ursa Major, the Big Dipper meant intense strength and the Pole or the North star symbolized Alaska, the prospective state of the Union. Benny's Alaska flag was an example of sheer simplicity, steeped in rich symbolism. Thus Benny was rewarded with a gold watch and some prize money for his brilliant idea and his flag was adopted as the Alaska state flag. The moving description of Benny's flag had also been incorporated into the flag song, the official song of the State.
There is a barrage of cheap and inferior California flags being imported and sold, that do not comply with the flag statute. This is bad for a number of reasons. Imported flags are cheaply made and more importantly, the designs, materials, colors, and methods of printing do not compare well with the better quality, longer-lasting, and correctly designed flags made by American manufacturers. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of California flag for the future.
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