Brief History of the Kansas State Flag

The current Kansas state flag was adopted in 1927, but the design has undergone several changes since then. The flag consists of a dark blue field with the state seal depicted in the center. Surrounding the seal are sunflowers, which are indigenous to Kansas and play a significant role in the state’s economy. Let’s take a closer look at the history of this iconic flag.

The first official Kansas state flag was adopted in 1901 and featured a green-and-white color scheme. The words “Kansas” and “Ad Astra Per Aspera” (Latin for “To the stars through difficulties”) were emblazoned across the bottom half of the flag, while the state Seal was placed in the top half. This original design was created by Amelia Hobson Fletcher, a noted author and suffragist from Sylvan Grove, Kansas.

In 1925, a contest was held to redesign the state flag. The winning entry, submitted by Louis coatsworth of Wichita, featured a sunflower on a blue background. This new design was met with widespread approval and became the official state flag in 1927.

Since then, only minor changes have been made to the flag’s design. In 1961, the words “Kansas” and “Ad Astra Per Aspera” were removed from the bottom of the flag so that the sunflower could be depicted in its entirety. In 2003, lawmakers amended the state statute governing the flag to ensure that it would always be manufactured according to precise specifications.

The Kansas state flag is one of the most recognizable flags in America thanks to its rich history and unique design elements. If you’re ever in Kansas, be sure to keep an eye out for this iconic symbol of the Sunflower State!