How old is the Pennsylvania flag?
The Pennsylvania legislature authorized the use of the coat of arms on a flag for the state militia on April 9, 1799, and variations on this flag design were used throughout the 19th century. Finally, on June 13, 1907, a state flag for nonmilitary purposes was approved by the legislature, and it is still in use.
What was the first Pennsylvania flag?
The first Pennsylvania State flag, which bore "The arms Pennsylvania worked thereon", was adopted by the Executive Council in 1778. It was used to identify the State's wharf in Philadelphia. The flag is listed several times in the inventory of State property in the custody of the watchman.
How was the Pennsylvania flag created?
During the Civil War, many Pennsylvania regiments carried flags modeled after the U.S. Flag, but substituted Pennsylvania's Coat of Arms for the field of stars. An act of the General Assembly of June 13, 1907, standardized the flag and required that the blue field match the blue of Old Glory.
Why is the Pennsylvania flag the way it is?
The coat of arms features a shield that shows symbols of Pennsylvania's strengths — a ship to show state commerce being carried worldwide, a plow to show Pennsylvania's rich natural resources, and three sheaves of wheat to show fertile fields and Pennsylvania's wealth of human thought and action.
Who made the 1st American flag?
On May 29, 1777, Betsy Ross was paid a large sum of money from the Pennsylvania State Navy Board for making flags, and on June 14, 1777, Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as our official national flag. Betsy would continue to make flags for over 50 years, many of which were through government contracts.
What was the first flag?
While the origin of the flag remains a mystery, the oldest flag discovered is actually made of bronze and is called a Derafsh or 'flag-like' Shahdad, which was found in Shahdad, Iran, and dates back to c. 2400 BCE.
Why are flags at half in PA?
(WHTM) – Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has ordered the United States and commonwealth flags on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings, and grounds to fly at half-staff. The order will begin at sunrise on October 22, 2022, to honor U.S. Army Pfc.
Did the 13 colonies have their own flags?
First "official" flag of the 13 colonies known as "the Continental Colors" or "Grand Union Flag." "The Gadsden Flag" designed by Christopher Gadsden in 1775. During this time, other flags were flown to show support for Independence. Christopher Gadsden designed "The Gadsden Flag" in 1775.
Who made the PA flag?
In 1778, Caleb Lownes of Philadelphia prepared a coat of arms virtually identical to the one used today. It consisted of a shield; an American Bald Eagle for the crest; two harnessed black horses as supporters; and the State's motto, “Virtue, Liberty and Independence,” printed at the bottom.
What is the only flag that is not square?
The national flag of Nepal is the world's only national flag that is non-quadrilateral in shape. The flag is a simplified combination of two single pennons, the vexillological word for a pennant. Its crimson red is the color of the rhododendron, the country's national flower.
Why do you never let the flag touch the ground?
The Flag Code states that the flag should not touch anything beneath it, including the ground. This is stated to indicate that care should be exercised in the handling of the flag, to protect it from becoming soiled or damaged. You are not required to destroy the flag when this happens.
What is the only state with a two sided flag?
OregonOregon is now the only state with such a flag, just as Paraguay is the only country to have a national flag with a different design on each side. The Oregon state flag became official on February 26, 1925.
What is the oldest thing in Pennsylvania?
The Lower Swedish Cabin is not only the oldest building in Pennsylvania, but it is also one of the oldest log cabins in the United States. It was built around 1640 and used as a Swedish trading post with the local indigenous peoples.
Did the 13 colonies have their own flags?
First "official" flag of the 13 colonies known as "the Continental Colors" or "Grand Union Flag." "The Gadsden Flag" designed by Christopher Gadsden in 1775. During this time, other flags were flown to show support for Independence. Christopher Gadsden designed "The Gadsden Flag" in 1775.
Did the colony of Pennsylvania have a flag?
Pennsylvania was the 2nd of the original 13 colonies to be admitted as a state in the Union on December 12, 1787. The state's first official flag was authorized by the legislature in 1799.
What was the Pennsylvania colony flag?
Named for one of the founders of the colony, William Penn, and the Latin word “Sylvania” meaning “forest,” Pennsylvania's state flag is composed of a blue field on which is embroidered the State Coat of Arms. The first State Flag bearing the State Coat of Arms was authorized by the General Assembly in 1799.
When was the Pennsylvania flag created?
The flag as it appears in an 1819 painting. Originally authorized by the state in 1798, the current design was enacted by law on June 13, 1907. In the summer of 2005, House Bill 179 was introduced to the state legislature to add "Pennsylvania" to the bottom of the flag in golden letters.
What is the state flag of Pennsylvania?
The flag of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania consists of a blue field on which the state coa t of arms is embroidered. The Pennsylvania coat of arms features a shield crested by an American bald eagle, flanked by horses, and adorned with symbols of Pennsylvania's strengths—a ship carrying state commerce to all parts of the world; a clay-red plough, ...
What is the state of Pennsylvania's coat of arms?
The coat of arms as it appears on the obverse of the Great Seal. The coat of arms of Pennsylvania is an official emblem of the state , alongside the seal and state flag, and was adopted in 1778. The flag of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania consists of a blue field on which the state coat of arms is embroidered.
What is the motto of Pennsylvania?
The state motto, "Virtue, Liberty and Independence", appears festooned below. Atop the coat of arms is a bald eagle, representing Pennsylvania's loyalty to the United States.
What is the state flag of the governor?
Flag of the governor. See also: Flags of governors of the U.S. states. The flag of the governor of Pennsylvania contains the state coat of arms on a field of white. Above the coat of arms, the flag displays a red ribbon with "The Governor" written in gold sans serif lettering.
When was the Pennsylvania flag first used?
The first state flag of Pennsylvania was authorized by the General Assembly in 1799. A law was passed in 1907 standardizing the flag and requiring that the blue field match the blue of "Old Glory" (the national flag). All State Flags
What is the state flag of Pennsylvania?
All State Flags. Pennsylvania's flag features the state coat of arms on a field of blue. The state motto appears on a ribbon at the base of the design ("Liberty, Virtue, Independence"). The Pennsylvania coat of arms is also featured on the state seal. Pennsylvania.
When did Pennsylvania add Pennsylvania to the flag?
In 2005, a bill that would have added “Pennsylvania” to the bottom of the flag was introduced in the legislature. The House of Representatives referred the bill to the Committee on State Government in January 2006 where it stalled with no further action taken.
What is on the Pennsylvania flag?
The state flag includes the Pennsylvania coat of arms on a blue field. That emblem features a shield with a draft horse on each side, an American eagle above the shield, and a scroll that reads “Virtue, Liberty and Independence” at the bottom of the shield.
When did the state flag change to blue?
When the state flag statute was enacted in 1799, it did not include specifics of the flag’s design. In 1907, the legislature corrected the problem and adopted a flag standard and dictated that the field was to be the same color as the blue in the United States flag. In 2005, a bill that would have added “Pennsylvania” to the bottom ...
When did Pennsylvania become a state?
Nov 20th, 2016. Pennsylvania was the 2 nd of the original 13 colonies to be admitted as a state in the Union on December 12, 1787. The state’s first official flag was authorized by the legislature in 1799. The state flag includes the Pennsylvania coat of arms on a blue field.
What does the shield on the Pennsylvania coat of arms represent?
The shield itself depicts a ship, a plow, three sheaves of wheat, and an olive branch crossed by a cornstalk. By legend, the designs on the coat of arms represent: · American Eagle: Strengths and sovereignty, and Pennsylvania’s loyalty to the U.S. · Cornstalk: Prosperity. · Olive Branch: Peace.
When was the Pennsylvania flag first used?
The first State Flag bearing the State Coat of Arms was authorized by the General Assembly in 1799. During the Civil War, many Pennsylvania regiments carried flags modeled after the U.S. Flag, but substituted Pennsylvania's Coat of Arms for the field of stars.
What is the Pennsylvania flag?
Pennsylvania'd Flag History. Pennsylvania's State Flag is composed of a blue field on which is embroidered the State Coat of Arms. The flag is flown from all state buildings, and further display on any public building within the Commonwealth is provided for by law.
What is the motto of the State Seal?
Heraldic in design, it consisted of: a shield, which displayed the emblems of the State Seal --- the ship, plough and sheaves of wheat; an eagle for the crest; two black horses as supporters; and the motto "Virtue, Liberty and Independence.". An olive branch and a cornstalk were crossed below the shield.
When was the first coat of arms issued?
A state coat of arms first appeared on state paper money issued in 1777. This first coat of arms was nearly identical to the State Seal, without the inscription. In 1778, Caleb Lownes of Philadelphia prepared a coat of arms.
When was the Commonwealth's coat of arms adopted?
In 1875 , the commission reported that it had adopted, almost unchanged, the coat of arms originally designed by Caleb Lownes ninety-six years earlier.
