The Alaska flag collection features one of the most celebrated civic designs in the United States flag history. Created in 1927 by 13-year-old Benny Benson during a territory-wide contest, this banner was officially adopted long before Alaska achieved statehood. Its elegant simplicity stood out among hundreds of entries, providing a distinct northern identity that helped pave the way for Alaska to join the union in 1959.
The design consists of a deep blue field representing the evening sky, the mountain lakes, and the native forget-me-not flower. It features eight gold stars that form the Big Dipper and the North Star. The Big Dipper constellation represents the Ursa Major bear, symbolizing strength, while the larger North Star represents the state's northern position and its bright future.
