North Dakota State Flag

The North Dakota state flag is the official banner of the state of North Dakota. A blue field holds an eagle at its center. The eagle faces left with wings spread wide.

The design comes directly from a military banner used by the First North Dakota Infantry. Colonel John H. Fraine introduced the flag in the state legislature in 1911. He had commanded North Dakota troops during the Philippine-American War.

The eagle holds an olive branch in one talon and arrows in the other. A shield covers the eagle's chest. Above the bird appear thirteen gold stars beneath sun rays. Below sits a red and gold scroll marked North Dakota.

The North Dakota state flag meaning ties to military service and national unity. The flag honors North Dakota soldiers who served in the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War, echoing themes in North Dakota's state motto.

The eagle represents strength and the United States. The thirteen stars stand for the original colonies. Sun rays symbolize the birth of a new nation.

The olive branch signals peace. The arrows indicate military readiness. Together these elements connect North Dakota to the broader American republic.

Colonel John H. Fraine introduced House Bill No. 152 on January 21, 1911. The bill proposed adopting the First North Dakota Infantry's banner as the state flag. Fraine had led North Dakota troops during the Philippine-American War.

The North Dakota Legislative Assembly approved the design on March 3, 1911. The original law did not specify exact colors or proportions. Infantry regiments across the country carried similar banners from 1890 to 1904. Each unit added its own designation to the scroll beneath the eagle.

Legislators refined the specifications in 1943 to match the original military banner more closely. In 1951, North Dakota formed a commission to evaluate the flag. The commission proposed a new design featuring wheat and a sunset. The proposal failed in 1953, and the original design remained aligned with the Peace Garden State identity.

The North Dakota state flag uses blue, red, gold, yellow, green, silver, brown, tan, white, and black. The State Historical Society of North Dakota provides specific Pantone values for each color, and these can be compared in the U.S. state colors guide.

Blue forms the background field. Red appears on the scroll, shield stripes, and details. Gold marks the sun rays, stars, and scroll trim. Multiple shades color the eagle's feathers and the olive branch, while geographic context sits on the North Dakota borders page.

Modern demographic growth and representation context can also be compared with U.S. states by population.