Flag of Alaska: history and description. Benny Benson - the creator of the flag of the northern state

Many of the flags of the American states amaze with their originality and unusual design. Almost all of them were invented even before the First World War. For example, the flag of South Carolina shows a palm tree. But on the banner of Wyoming flaunting bison. But the most interesting among them, undoubtedly, is the flag of Alaska. Photo, meaning, as well as the history of its creation - in our article!

The state of Alaska is the largest and most northern

The largest state in the US is also characterized by a solid natural and resource potential. Here oil, gold, gas, copper, zinc are extracted, bred deer and fish on a huge scale. The area of the state is 1.7 million square meters. Km. Moreover, almost 15% of its territory falls on the water surface. In addition to the peninsula of the same name, Alaska includes the chain of the Aleutian Islands, Alexander's archipelago and a narrow strip of the Pacific coast, which extends far to the south.

"The Last Frontier" or "Country of the Midnight Sun" - these are the most famous nicknames of the state. But the name "Alaska" has Aleutian roots and is translated as a "whale place".

Below are a few more interesting facts about this US state that will help to better understand its features and geography:

• There are both the extreme northern and extreme western points of the USA;
• Alaska from the territory of Russia is separated by only 3.5 kilometers of waterway;
• In 1867 the peninsula was bought by the US authorities from Russia for 7.2 million dollars;
• During the years of the so-called "gold rush" in Alaska, about one thousand tons of gold were mined;
• In Alaska (in the city of Fairbanks) is the world's largest rechargeable battery;
• In 1964 an earthquake occurred on the peninsula, which was the second strongest in the history of the Earth;
• Only in Alaska ordered pizza can deliver you on the plane!

Flag of Alaska: photo, description and symbols

What does the northernmost state flag look like? And who invented it? This we will tell you further.

The flag of Alaska is a standard rectangular panel of blue color. It has eight yellow stars. Seven of them denote a constellation of the Great Bear, which in its outlines reminds many a bucket with a long handle. Another star (the largest in size) is located in the upper right corner of the panel. It denotes the Polaris, which is traditionally oriented in unfamiliar terrain.

The blue flag cloth symbolizes two things at the same time. First, the cold and clear sky, hanging over the peninsula. And secondly, the color of forget-me-nots is one of the symbols of Alaska.

The constellation Ursa Major on the flag symbolizes the power and confidence in the future. The polar star is depicted on the main symbol of Alaska is also not accidental. It became a successful and very laconic symbol of the North as such.

Who created the flag of Alaska?

The state itself was officially formed in 1959. But the flag for this territory was developed much earlier. Who is its author?

The flag of Alaska, distinguished by its simplicity and naivety, was invented by a child! The author of the sketch was John "Benny" Benson. He was born in a small village Chignik, in a rather poor family. In the body of the future author of the flag of Alaska flowed Swedish (from his father) and Eskimo blood (from his mother).

To get a secondary education, Benny Benson was forced to go to the city of Seward. It was at this time, according to the order of the governor of the region, among the students was announced a contest for the best sketch of the flag for Alaska. A simple project of 13-year-old teenager Benny Benson seemed to the members of the jury of this contest the most successful. And in 1927 the new flag of Alaska was formally established.

For the victory in the contest, Benny Benson received 1000 American dollars (a considerable amount at that time). In the future, he uses this money to enter the engineering school in Hemphill.

The subsequent life of Benson was ordinary and not very remarkable: work as a mechanic, marriage and the birth of two daughters, divorce, death of loved ones (brother and sister). The author of the flag of Alaska died of a heart attack at the age of 58 years. In memory of him in Seward, grateful descendants built a modest monument.

Finally…

The flag of Alaska is very original. It is generally believed that it depicts two bears at once, but in a stylized, astronomical form. On the cloth of blue color, there are eight yellow stars. Seven of them form the usual constellation of the Big Dipper. The eighth (Polar) is located in the upper right corner of the flag. And it is known to be the main one in the constellation of the Little Dipper.