Announcing an Initiative
to Consider
Re-designing the Minnesota State Flag.
Don't take this the wrong way!
Minnesotans love our state. It is a wonderful place to live. We're proud of the quality of life we have achieved on our farms, in our rural towns and our great cosmopolitan cities as we live in the midst of such beauty - our varied landscape, the blue skies, our 10,000 lakes. We have taken pride in our flag.
Minnesota's flag is a royal blue rectangle in the center of which is the Great Seal of the State of Minnesota. Encircling the seal is a wreath of Showy Lady Slippers--the state flower. Encircling that is a pattern of a star made up of nineteen smaller stars, the largest of which symbolizes the state--the 19th to join the union after the original 13. The Great Seal, in the center, with its many details, depicts a barefoot settler plowing a field near what is said to be St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi River. His axe, long rifle and powderhorn rest on a nearby tree stump. As he turns his head he sees an Indian riding off into the sunset. On a ribbon above these details appears Minnesota's State motto, L'Etoile du Nord, French---meaning, Star of the North.
It is a beautiful old flag rich with symbols of our heritage.
So, why do we want to consider designing a new flag for Minnesota?
As a banner to promote the great state of Minnesota, the details are too small to be easily seen from any distance. It is difficult to describe or draw. All the letters and numerals appear in reverse on the backside. Most critical of all---the old flag is barely distinguishable from at least twenty other U.S. states flags. Our flag isn't memorable to our own citizens let alone those visiting from afar.
Minnesota's flag falls short in most criteria used to judge flags!
Our flag should act as a beacon that connects the wonders of our great state with the minds of all Americans. Our flag, with all its significant details does so little to promote the wonders of Minnesota.
Isn't this a good time in our history to change the
Flag of the Great State of Minnesota?
Here's our proposal...
A flag should be simple, easy to recognize and be symbolic of the people it represents.
The proposed flag for the state of Minnesota contains the blues, whites and green that are seen everywhere around the state. These colors are reflected in our license plates, signage and brochures as well as in use by many counties and municipalities.
The symbolic star rests in a wide band of royal blue that so closely matches the color of the sky it symbolizes. It is a wide band because it also celebrates the color of the "sky-blue waters" of our "10,000 lakes".
The white star at the center of the flag represents the North Star - Polaris-- clear, bright and white.
The narrower band of White symbolizes our cold, snowy months of Winter. It is a season that Minnesotan's celebrate for it's changing beauty and activities.
At bottom is the curving band of Kelly green. This fresh and bright color symbolizes Minnesota's delightful Springs and Summers.
This proposed, three-color, "North Star" flag, as seen here, was judged winner of designs submitted in the Minnesota flag redesign contest held by UTNE READER, a nationally circulated magazine.
(See the Nov/Dec 01 issue for details and pictures.)
Minnesota State Senator Edward Oliver, {R.} (Deephaven, MN), introduced legislation (S.F. #3201) early in the 2002 Legislative session to form a commission to examine proposals for a redesign of the Minnesota flag. In the Minnesota House, sponsors Reps. Erhard, Leppik, & Bradley introduced HF 3556. Senator Oliver has been interested in studying changes in the state flag as was reported in the Capitol Roundup last year. Any questions or comments regarding the proposal for changing the design of our Minnesota flag should be directed to Sen. Edward C. Oliver. Let him know you support his initiative to change our flag.
sen.edward.oliver@senate.leg.state.mn.us
or phone him at: (651)296-4837
We need your help! Not your money and not much of your time either! Please take the time to email your state representatives and ask them to support Senator Oliver's proposed bill to consider redesigning the Minnesota State Flag!
Don't know who your representatives are?
By the way, you are hearing the state song of Minnesota.
Learn more about the state song here...
This website is sponsored by Marc Stratton.
Visit Frequently Asked Questions
Webmaster: Tom Ebacher