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Flag of Pennsylvania

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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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
Proportion27:37 (both 2:3 and 3:5 in use)
AdoptedJune 13, 1907; 117 years ago (1907-06-13)
DesignA state coat of arms on a blue field

The flag of Pennsylvania consists of a blue field on which the state coat of arms is displayed.

History

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The Pennsylvania state flag depicted in The Government of the People of the State of Pennsylvania (1902)[1]

On April 9, 1799, the Pennsylvania General Assembly authorized the use of the state coat of arms on flags for the state militia.[2] These flags took various forms, most commonly featuring the coat of arms either replacing the field of stars in the union of the US flag, or being placed alone on a field of blue. The depiction of the coat of arms would also vary from flag to flag, as the colors in the escutcheon of the arms were changed in 1809, and the color of the horses was not standardized until 1875.[3]

The legislature eventually chose to create a standardized flag for general use, featuring a now-standardized coat of arms alone on a plain field of blue mandated to be the "same color as the blue field in the flag of the United States".[4] This new flag was enacted by law on June 13, 1907.[5]

Criticism and attempts to change the flag

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The Pennsylvania flag has been criticized for the complexity of its design, and its inability to stand out from other similar state flags across the US. Several attempts have been made by the Pennsylvania legislature and the public to address these criticisms by changing or altering the flag.

2001 NAVA Survey

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In 2001, the North American Vexillological Association surveyed 100 of its members and 337 members of the general public on the designs of the 72 U.S. state, U.S. territorial and Canadian provincial flags. The survey ranked Pennsylvania's flag 57th out of the 72, with a score of 3.69 on a scale of 0 to 10.[6] Its low ranking was attributed to both the complexity of the coat of arms on its design, and its inability to stand out among a sea of similar “seal on a bedsheet” designs common to more than half of U.S. state flags.[7]

Attempts to add "Pennsylvania" to the flag (2004–2014)

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Between 2004 and 2014, several attempts were made to add the word "Pennsylvania" to the state flag. According to former State Representative Tim Solobay (who introduced the first set of bills), this was intended to make Pennsylvania's flag more unique and identifiable.[8]

While the bill failed to leave committee in the first two sessions it was introduced,[9][10] a 2006 survey offered by Solobay's office[11] to help refine the defined design may have swayed legislators to act on the bill, which was amended on May 7, 2007.[12] On June 11, 2007, The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted in favor of the bill, 164–31.[8] The Senate State Government Committee never considered the bill, which died at the end of the Pennsylvania General Assembly's two-year session.

The bill was reintroduced by Solobay in 2009,[13] and on the next session day, a second similar bill was introduced by former State Representative Gary Haluska with a competing definition of the design.[14] Neither bill was raised in committee that session. Haluska's proposal was reintroduced alone in both the 2011–12[15] and 2013–14 sessions,[16] and died in committee both times.

  • Proposals to change the flag between 2004 and 2014
  • 2004 proposal, interpreted to mean "Pennsylvania" is written below the coat of arms
    2004–2007 proposal,[9][10]Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag adding "the word 'Pennsylvania' to be embroidered upon the flag in yellow silk."
  • 2007–2010 proposal,[12][13] adding the words "Commonwealth Of" to the top and "Pennsylvania" to the bottom of the flag in yellow silk, and arching the lettering around the coat of arms
    2007–2010 proposal,[12][13]Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag adding the words "Commonwealth Of" to the top and "Pennsylvania" to the bottom of the flag in yellow silk, and arching the lettering around the coat of arms
  • 2009 proposal, adding the word "Pennsylvania" in yellow silk "centered within a symmetrical red festoon, similar to that containing the State motto; and the festoon to be centered above the bald eagle on the coat of arms."
    2009–2014 proposal,[14][15][16]Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag adding the word "Pennsylvania" in yellow silk "centered within a symmetrical red festoon, similar to that containing the State motto; and the festoon to be centered above the bald eagle on the coat of arms."

The Keystone Flag

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The "Keystone Flag"

In 2017 the "Keystone Flag" was designed by Tara Stark,[17] a Pennsylvania resident.[18] The flag incorporates a keystone symbol, the de-facto state emblem of Pennsylvania, into a tricolor design using the colors on the coat of arms of Pennsylvania[19] as an intentional callback to the symbolism of the existing flag.[20][17]

The flag gained popularity in online vexillological circles, winning multiple online contests, and began receiving wider attention following high-profile changes to the flag of Mississippi and the flag of Utah. The design was formally released into the public domain in August 2022.[21] Stark launched a Kickstarter campaign in November 2022 to print flags and create other merchandise featuring the design, raising more than $4,500, and the design later began being sold by multiple unrelated manufacturers. It has since seen more popular use, notably including on a lapel pin worn by one state legislator,[22] and has been referenced by multiple media outlets.[23][24][25]

2023 effort

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On June 16, 2023, Pennsylvania State Representative Joe Webster released a memorandum proposing a commission to "study the history of the state flag, solicit design submissions for a new state flag, and recommend changes to the state flag."[26] To this end, House Resolution 163 was introduced on June 27, 2023.[27][needs update?]

Galleries

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Historical depictions of the Pennsylvania flag

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  • A painting of the Pennsylvania flag, featuring the state coat of arms with white horses, and other various adornments around the coat of arms, on a field of blue.
    The flag as it appears in an 1819 painting titled Independence Day Celebration in Centre Square, Philadelphia
  • A Pennsylvania state flag from 1863, featuring a ring of stars around the coat of arms. It was made in November 1863 by a Philadelphia flag manufacturer for Governor Curtin's use during the Gettysburg National Cemetery's dedication on November 19, 1863.[28]
    A Pennsylvania state flag from 1863, featuring a ring of stars around the coat of arms. It was made in November 1863 by a Philadelphia flag manufacturer for Governor Curtin's use during the Gettysburg National Cemetery's dedication on November 19, 1863.[28]
  • A Pennsylvania state flag that may have been used by a National Guard unit during World War I, depicting a white scroll instead of the red one used today.
    A Pennsylvania state flag that may have been used by a National Guard unit during World War I, depicting a white scroll instead of the red one used today.

Flags associated with Pennsylvania

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Thorpe, Francis Newton (1902). The government of the people of the state of Pennsylvania. The Library of Congress. Philadelphia, Eldridge & brother.
  2. ^ Smith, Whitney (July 27, 2011). "Flag of Pennsylvania". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  3. ^ "Pennsylvania (U.S.)". www.fotw.info. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  4. ^ "Act of Jun. 13, 1907, P.L. 560, No. 373 Cl. 38 – FLAG OF PENNSYLVANIA DESIGNATED". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  5. ^ "Status of the Pennsylvania Flag". September 12, 2007. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved October 26, 2007.
  6. ^ "2001 State/Provincial Flag Survey - NAVA.org" (PDF). nava.org.
  7. ^ Kaye, Edward B. (2001). "Good Flag, Bad Flag, and the Great NAVA Flag Survey of 2001" (PDF). Raven: A Journal of Vexillology. 8: 11–38. doi:10.5840/raven200182 – via Philosophy Documentation Center.
  8. ^ a b "House passes Solobay bill adding 'Pennsylvania' to state flag". Office of State Rep. Tim Solobay. Archived from the original on August 10, 2007. Retrieved October 26, 2007.
  9. ^ a b "Pennsylvania Regular Session 2003–2004 House Bill 2808". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Pennsylvania Regular Session 2005–2006 House Bill 149". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  11. ^ "Pennsylvania (U.S.) 'Proposal for change to the flag'". www.fotw.info. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Pennsylvania Regular Session 2007–2008 House Bill 179". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Pennsylvania Regular Session 2009–2010 House Bill 143". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Pennsylvania Regular Session 2009–2010 House Bill 179". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Pennsylvania Regular Session 2011–2012 House Bill 722". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Pennsylvania Regular Session 2013–2014 House Bill 578". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Deppen, Colin (March 24, 2023). "PA's singing, driving, flag-waving identity crisis". Spotlight PA. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  18. ^ Seiler, Maddie (January 2023). "PHOTOS: Humane Society of Harrisburg Area's 25th annual Penguin Plunge". The Sentinel. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  19. ^ "Guide: State Symbols". PA.Gov. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  20. ^ "Symbolism". Keystone Flag. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  21. ^ Stark, Tara (March 10, 2017), File:Keystone Flag.svg on Wikimedia Commons, retrieved May 14, 2023
  22. ^ Caruso, Steven [@StephenJ_Caruso] (February 21, 2023). "Spotted: State Rep. Izzy Smith Wade-El (D., Lancaster) is rocking a @KeystoneFlag lapel pin" (Tweet). Retrieved March 7, 2023 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ "Pennsylvania considering a flag redesign". KDKA-TV (CBS Pittsburgh). June 19, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  24. ^ Deppen, Colin (June 23, 2023). "Rep. backing new PA flag is ready for your angry emails". Spotlight PA. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  25. ^ McCook, Alison (June 27, 2023). "And the winner of our Philly Flag contest is…". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  26. ^ "House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  27. ^ "Bill Information – House Resolution 163; Regular Session 2023–2024". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  28. ^ "The Pennsylvania State Flag" (PDF). PA State Rep. Brett Miller. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2021.
  29. ^ Allen, Francis Olcott (1894). "The Provincial or Colonial Flag of Pennsylvania". The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. 18 (2): 249–252. ISSN 0031-4587. JSTOR 20083598.
  30. ^ "Pennsylvania Colonial/Revolutionary War Flags (U.S.)". www.fotw.info. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
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