Brief History of the New Jersey State Flag

Have you ever looked at the New Jersey flag and wondered about its history? The flag of New Jersey has been through a lot of changes since it was first adopted in 1777. Here is a brief history of the Garden State’s flag.

The first official flag of New Jersey was adopted on May 30, 1777. The flag featured the state’s coat of arms on a blue field. The coat of arms features a shield with three plows, two horses’ heads, and the motto “Liberty and Prosperity.” Above the shield is a female figure representing Liberty, and above her is a crown. This first flag was used until 1779 when it was replaced by a new design.

The second flag of New Jersey, adopted in 1779, was very similar to the first one. The only difference was that the women representing Liberty was holding a liberty cap instead of a crown. This flag was used until 1896 when it was replaced by the current flag.

The current flag of New Jersey was adopted on April 25, 1896. The flag features the state’s coat of arms on a buff-colored field. Buff is a yellowish-tan color, which represents the state’s nickname, the “Garden State.”

The New Jersey flag has undergone some changes since it was first adopted in 1777. The current flag, with its buff-colored field and state coat of arms, has been in use since 1896. Next time you see the New Jersey flag flying, take a moment to appreciate its history!