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History of the Minnesota State Flag

The Minnesota State Flag is a medium blue color with a narrow gold border and a gold fringe. Centered in the medium blue field is a circular emblem with a white background and a yellow border. Within the circular emblem of the Minnesota state flag an inner circle surrounds scenes from the Minnesota State Seal displayed on a field of medium blue matching that of the general flag. The inner circle is surrounded by 19 five pointed stars representing Minnesota as the 19th state. The top star represents the North Star. The five star groups on the Minnesota State Flag represent a five pointed star. The name of the state, "MINNESOTA", is printed in red letters below the inner circle. Shown on the Minnesota state flag is a bare-footed farmer plowing a field. The farmer's axe, gun and powder horn rest on a nearby stump. An Indian rides nearby. The field borders a river with a waterfall. These scenes are surrounded by intertwined pink and white lady slippers (the Minnesota state flower) and a red ribbon. Printed in gold letters on the red ribbon are the dates 1819, the year in which Fort Snelling was established; 1893, the year that the Minnesota state flag was officially adopted; and "L'ETOILE DU NORD" (Star of the North), the Minnesota State Motto. Over the seal in gold letters is the date 1858; the date that the state of Minnesota was admitted to the union.

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