Flag of North Carolina facts for kids
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| Use | Civil and state flag    |
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| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Adopted | March 9, 1885 (modified June 24, 1991) |
| Design | A blue union, containing in the center thereof a white star with the letter "N" in gilt on the left and the letter "C" in gilt on the right of said star, the circle containing the same to be one-third the width of the union. |
| Designed by | William G. Browne Johnston Jones |
The flag of North Carolina is the official state flag for North Carolina, a state in the United States. It is a special symbol that represents the history and values of the state. You might hear it called the "North Carolina flag" or even the "North Star."
The North Carolina State Flag
What the Flag Looks Like
The North Carolina flag has a blue section on the left side, which is called the "union." In the middle of this blue part, there is a white star. On the left side of the star, you'll see a gold letter "N," and on the right side, a gold letter "C." These letters stand for North Carolina.
Above the star, there is a gold scroll with the date "May 20th 1775" written in black letters. Below the star, another gold scroll shows the date "April 12th 1776" also in black.
The rest of the flag, to the right of the blue union, has two horizontal stripes. The top stripe is red, and the bottom stripe is white. These stripes are the same size. The flag's total length is one and a half times its width.
The Meaning Behind the Flag
The dates on the flag are very important to North Carolina's history.
- May 20th 1775 refers to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. This was a statement made by citizens in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, declaring their independence from Great Britain.
- April 12th 1776 refers to the Halifax Resolves. This was the first official action by any American colony calling for independence from Great Britain.
Both of these dates show how North Carolina played a big role in the early steps toward American independence. These dates also appear on the state seal.
A Look at the Flag's History
North Carolina's First Official Flag (1861-1865)
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North Carolina did not have an official state flag until 1861. At that time, North Carolina joined the Confederacy during the American Civil War. A special committee designed a flag, which was approved on June 22, 1861.
This first flag had a red background with a white star in the center. Above the star was the date May 20, 1775. Below the star was the date May 20, 1861, which was when North Carolina decided to leave the Union. The flag also had two equal horizontal stripes, one blue and one white. This design was similar to an idea from a Raleigh artist named William G. Browne.
During the Civil War, leaders in North Carolina often spoke about the Mecklenburg Declaration. They wanted to connect it to the state's decision to join the Confederacy.
The Current North Carolina Flag (1885-Present)
How the Flag Was Adopted in 1885
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After the Civil War, a new flag was needed to represent North Carolina as part of the United States. In March 1885, Johnston Jones, a former soldier and state official, helped pass a law to adopt a new flag. This new flag replaced the one from 1861.
The main change was that the red background of the old flag was replaced with a blue background. This 1885 design was the first and only flag to officially represent North Carolina as a state within the United States.
During the Spanish–American War, North Carolina soldiers carried this state flag.
A Small Change in 1991
On June 24, 1991, a small but important change was made to the flag's official design. The law was updated to make the flag's total length exactly one and a half times its width. This made the flag's proportions more consistent.
Ideas for Other Flags
Over the years, people have suggested different designs for the North Carolina flag. For example, in 1885, a proposal described a flag with a white and red horizontal bar, and a blue section near the flagpole with the state's coat of arms. Later, in 1893 and 1902, there were ideas to replace the star and "N.C." letters with the state seal or coat of arms. In 1908, a professor even suggested adding a second star and a new date. These ideas show that people have always been interested in how their state is represented.
Saying Hello to the Flag
In 2007, the North Carolina General Assembly created an official salute to the state flag. It is a way to show respect and pride for North Carolina. The salute says:
I salute the flag of North Carolina and pledge to the Old North State love, loyalty, and faith.
Images for kids
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An early unofficial flag design for North Carolina, featuring the state's Coat of Arms on a blue background.
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A proposed design for the North Carolina state flag from 1885.
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See also
In Spanish: Bandera de Carolina del Norte para niños
