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Flag of Kansas

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State of Kansas
UseCivil and state flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagReverse side is mirror image of obverse side
Proportion3:5
AdoptedSeptember 24, 1961; 63 years ago (1961-09-24)
DesignA state seal on a field of azure, a sunflower is displayed above the seal and the word "Kansas" in yellow below.
Flag of the governor of Kansas
DesignState flag, with white stars, one in each corner

The flag of the U.S. state of Kansas was adopted in 1927. The elements of the state flag include the Kansas state seal and a sunflower. This original design was modified in 1961 to add the name of the state at the bottom of the flag.

Official description

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The official flag of Kansas is represented by a dark-blue silk rectangle representing Kansas arranged horizontally with the state seal aligned in the center. Above the seal is a sunflower which sits over a wreath of gold and light blue. Below the seal is printed the name of the state "KANSAS".[1]

Seal of Kansas

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Main article: Seal of Kansas

The state seal centered on the flag tells the history of Kansas and his figures representing pioneer life. The seal contains:

The thirty-four stars clustered at the top of the seal identify Kansas as the 34th state to be accepted into the Union of the United States.[2] Kansas state law provides that the flag is to be used on all occasions when the state is officially represented.[3]

History

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  • 31-star U.S. flag flown during Bleeding Kansas
    31-star U.S. flag flown during Bleeding Kansas[4]
  • Esther Northrup's proposed flag for Kansas (1916)
    Esther Northrup's proposed flag for Kansas (1916) Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
  • Banner of Kansas (1925–1927)
    Banner of Kansas (1925–1927) Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
  • Flag of Kansas (1927–1961)
    Flag of Kansas (1927–1961) Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag

During Bleeding Kansas, an unknown party made a 31-star U.S. flag with the letter "K" in the top right of the canton. The "K" stood for Kansas and was flown when the area was still a territory. It is unknown whether the flag was used in support or opposition to slavery in the territory, but it is known that the party supported Kansas statehood.[4]

In 1891, a third party was holding a Convention in Cincinnati hoping to rival the Republicans and Democrats. Every state in the country sent their delegates to the convention. After the convention was over a huge parade was held in the city, with it being led by Kansas's delegates carrying with them a state banner.[5] The banner's design was never described.

In 1916, the Daughters of the American Revolution organised a contest to create a flag for Kansas. The winner was Esther Northrup of Lawrence, whose design consisted of three horizontal stripes of red, white and blue, with a gold sunflower on a blue background in the canton, and the state seal in the center of the sunflower. The proposed flag was submitted to the Kansas legislature in 1917, but was ultimately not adopted.[6]

State banner

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From 1925 to 1927, Kansas used a "state banner" instead of a flag. The banner, which consisted of the state seal surrounded by the petals of a sunflower beneath the word "Kansas", on a 21 by 28 inch blue field, was intended to be hung from a horizontal bar rather than a vertical flagpole. It was given a unique design to avoid "competition" with the United States flag. However, after the banner was rejected for display in Washington, D.C., and generated complaints for its awkward method of hanging, the state legislature adopted a state flag to replace the banner. The current state flag retains most of the design from the state banner.[7]

The original copy of the state banner still exists in good condition. The banner was initially held in the Kansas Museum of Art,[7] but it is now currently on display at the Kansas State Capitol.[8][9]

According to the North American Vexillological Association, the state banner exists today as an "official" alternative to the state flag. The organization makes the false claim that the banner was adopted on June 30, 1953. The organization's website features an alternative banner design – a lone sunflower on a blue field – and attributes it to Adjutant General Joe Nickell.[10] However, the Kansas State Historical Society describes the same design as a proposal flag submitted by Albert T. Reid before the state banner was adopted, and makes no mention of its status as an alternative flag.[11] There is no evidence that the state banner is still in use.

Current flag

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Flags similar to the current state flag have been used as early as 1917. The official state flag of Kansas was designed in 1925 by Hazel Avery and first used in a Fourth of July parade in Lincoln, Kansas.[12] It was officially adopted by the Kansas State Legislature in 1927. The flag was modified on September 24, 1961, to add the word "KANSAS" below the seal.

  • The current flag of Kansas.
    The current flag of Kansas.
  • The Kansas state flag as depicted in the 1976 bicentennial postage stamp series.
    The Kansas state flag as depicted in the 1976 bicentennial postage stamp series.
  • Depiction of an unofficial state flag from 1917.
    Depiction of an unofficial state flag from 1917.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kansas Flag". State of Kansas. 2006-10-17. Archived from the original on 2007-08-22. Retrieved 2007-10-25.
  2. ^ "Interactive Kansas Seal". State of Kansas. 2006-10-17. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved 2007-10-25.
  3. ^ Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution of the State of Kansas
  4. ^ a b "31 STARS PLUS A "K" FOR BLEEDING KANSAS, AN EXTRAORDINARILY UNUSUAL FORM OF POLITICAL SYMBOLISM ON AN EARLY STARS & STRIPES, PRE-CIVIL WAR, CALIFORNIA STATEHOOD, 1850-1858". jeffbridgman.com. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
  5. ^ Humanities, National Endowment for the (1891-05-28). "Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, May 28, 1891, Image 2". ISSN 2475-2924. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  6. ^ "Kansas State Flag". Kansas Historical Society. April 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  7. ^ a b "State Banner". Cool Things. Kansas State Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  8. ^ Stevens, Taylor (January 13, 2023). "cool shot from the capitol". Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  9. ^ "Capital in Topeka". May 2025. Archived from the original on May 21, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  10. ^ "Kansas State Banner". North American Vexillolocial Society. 2001. Archived from the original on August 14, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  11. ^ "State State Flag". Cool Things. Kansas State Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 27, 2005. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  12. ^ "Lincoln County Kansas Stories". freepages.rootsweb.com.
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