History of Alaska State Flag
More than 30 years before statehood, the Alaska American Legion sponsored a territorial contest for students. A flag was needed to represent the future state and someone thought to tap into the creativity of children. In 1927, thirteen year old John Bell Benson developed the design of the Big Dipper against a backdrop of blue. Ben was living in Seward at the Jesse Lee Mission Home where he had been placed after his mother died.
For his efforts, Ben was awarded a trip to Washington DC to present the flag to President Coolidge. However, the trip fell through and the Alaska Legislature decided to give Ben a scholarship, which he used to study diesel mechanics. Ben would later return to the Aleutian Islands to work with his father, finding his sisters 30 years later.
In 1967, the Alaska adopted “North to the Future” as its official State Motto, linking its geographic position with bright prospects for the future.
More than 30 years before statehood, the Alaska American Legion sponsored a territorial contest for students. A flag was needed to represent the future state and someone thought to tap into the creativity of children. In 1927, thirteen year old John Bell Benson developed the design of the Big Dipper against a backdrop of blue. Ben was living in Seward at the Jesse Lee Mission Home where he had been placed after his mother died.
For his efforts, Ben was awarded a trip to Washington DC to present the flag to President Coolidge. However, the trip fell through and the Alaska Legislature decided to give Ben a scholarship, which he used to study diesel mechanics. Ben would later return to the Aleutian Islands to work with his father, finding his sisters 30 years later.
In 1967, the Alaska adopted “North to the Future” as its official State Motto, linking its geographic position with bright prospects for the future.