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QUIZ

Minnesota Flags

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QUESTION #1

Minnesota adopted its first flag in what year?

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                  • 1819
                  • 1858
                  • 1861
                  • 1893

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ANSWER #1

D. 1893

Created for 1893 Chicago World Fair

The current flag includes three years:

1819 – Founding of St Anthony

1858 – Statehood (and state seal adopted)

1893 – Year first flag adopted

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1861

Creation of the first Minnesota battle flag by the 1st Minnesota Infantry Regiment (state seal on blue background with gold fringe)

        • Civil War and Dakota-US War battle flags either pictured the American eagle or the State seal

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Original 1st Minnesota Infantry Regiment Flag

5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment

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QUESTION #2

Minnesota has had how many state flags?

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                  • 2
                  • 3
                  • 4
                  • 5

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ANSWER #2

B. Three Flags

1893 – 1957 1957–1983 Since 1983

White on front side,

Blue on reverse (or just plain blue)

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QUESTION #3

The current state flag contains which of the following symbols?

(Choose all that apply)

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            • 20 Stars
            • The Lady Slipper
            • Three Pine Trees
            • Waterfall

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ANSWER #3

A, B, C, D

3 pine trees - for 3 great pine regions of the state (St. Croix, Mississippi, and Lake Superior)

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Waterfall - Growth of industry symbolized by St Anthony Falls

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Lady Slippers form a wreath around the state seal

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19 stars (5 groupings) - Minnesota was the 19th state to enter the Union after the original 13

The 19 stars form a large star representing the North Star

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QUESTION #4

In 2001, the Pioneer Press held an unofficial contest to design a new state flag. Which one of the following flags won the contest?

A. B. C. D.

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ANSWER #4

B. “The Northstar Flag”

Symbolism

North Star - recalls the state motto

Waves - recalls the “land of 10,000 lakes” and the Dakota name “mní sóta” (meaning sky-tinted water)

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Colors

Gold - our state’s natural wealth

Blue - our lakes and rivers

White - our winter

Green - our farmland and forests

Considered in 1957

Designed by Rev. William Becker of Austin and Lee Herold of Rochester

Utne Reader contest winner, 2001

Duluth City Flag, adopted 2019

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QUESTION #5

In a 2001 study by the North American Vexillological Association, the Minnesota flag design ranked 67 out of 72 state and province flags. Which flag ranked first for best design?

A. New Mexico B. South Carolina C. Arizona D. Alaska

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ANSWER #5

  1. New Mexico

Designed by Dr. Harry Mera, a physician and archeologist, for a Daughters of the American Revolution contest

Adopted 1925

Symbolism: Sun symbol of the Zia (Tsiya) people

Four is a sacred number symbolizing the Circle of Life: 4 directions, 4 times of day, 4 stages of life, and 4 seasons; the circle binds these four elements of four together. 

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Colors: Red and Gold honor Spanish history (colors of the Spanish flag)

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Meets Flag Design Recommendations:

  • Simple
  • Meaningful Symbolism
  • Distinctive
  • Few colors
  • No seals or letters
  • Identifiable from a distance

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Problem: Sacred symbol used without consent of the Zia people – ongoing concerns of desecration of sacred symbol

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Alaska – 5th

Arizona – 6th

South Carolina – 10th

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QUESTION #6

Which of the following are official state of Minnesota symbols?

(Choose all that apply)

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                  • Corn
                  • Northern Pike
                  • Monarch Butterfly
                  • Spruce Tree

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ANSWER #6

C. Monarch Butterfly

  • Adopted as State Butterfly in 2000
    • Adoption promoted by a fourth-grade class at Anderson Elementary School in Mahtomedi
    • State Insect in Alabama, Idaho, Illinois, Texas, Vermont, and West Virginia, as well as Minnesota.
    • Symbolizes friendliness of state’s people

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  • Monarch Butterflies
    • Migrates north and south like birds
    • Approximately four generations of monarchs are born in Minnesota each summer, living roughly four weeks
    • The last generation migrates to Mexico, living approximately 6 months by spending the winter in a state of semi-hibernation. 

State Fish - Walleye (1965)

State Grain - Wild Rice (1977)

State Tree- Norway Pine/Red Pine (1953)

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Quiz

Perfect Score is 9

6 questions

4 possible answers for question #3

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Good Flag Design Recommendations:

  • Keep It Simple
        • So simple that a child can draw it from memory
  • Use Meaningful Symbolism
  • Use 2–3 Basic Colors
  • No Lettering or Seals
  • Be Distinctive
        • Easily identifiable from a distance

State Statute Requirement:

Must NOT contain symbols, emblems, or likenesses that represent only a single community or person