The State Flag of Oklahoma
by The first flag of Oklahoma state was a very simple one.
It was adopted in 1911, which was four years after Oklahoma’s statehood. It is a simple design of a white star in blue outline over a red back ground. There was the number 46 inside the star to symbolize that Oklahoma is the 46th state of the United States.
But later red flags are considered closely associated with communism. So, to change the flag’s design, a contest was held and designs were accepted by the participants. The main objective of the contest was to design a new flag which closely depicts the diversity in cultures of the state of Oklahoma.
This contest was sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The winning entry for the design of the flag was made by Louise Fluke and this design was adopted as the state flag of Oklahoma on the 2nd of April, 1925. This is the same flag which is being represented now but at that time, the word “Oklahoma” was not there which we see now.
The state name “Oklahoma” was added to the flag in the year 1941 and this step was taken as to tool to fight the wide spreading illiteracy. The colors and the design of the flag were made standard by the Oklahoma Senate Bill 1359 and it was signed into law by the Governor, Brad Henry on 23rd of May, 2006.
The flag majorly displays an Osage warrior’s shield which was made from a buffalo hide and was decorated with seven eagle feathers hanging from the lower edge. The shield is majorly centered on a field of blue (derived from the blue flag that Choctaw soldiers carried during the Civil War).
This modified flag honors more than 60 groups of Native Americans and their ancestors. The shield is decorated with six white stars which represent the six high ideals. Symbols of peace and unity from the cultures of the Native Americans and European American settlers in the state were also depicted on this flag in the form of the ceremonial peace pipe and the olive branch.
As said earlier, in the year 1941, the design was remodeled. The name of the state “Oklahoma” was added to the old flag design. It is displayed in white letters at the bottom of the shield at the center of the flag. Though the flag design was revisited, the new design is not very popular in some cultures and some places. This distinction in acceptance of the new design is that people in some circles felt that the design of the state flag of Oklahoma is very different and unique without the name of the state, “Oklahoma” on it.
Liked it
