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Flag of Vermont

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State of Vermont
UseCivil and state flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagReverse side is mirror image of obverse side
Proportion3:5
AdoptedJune 1, 1923; 101 years ago (1923-06-01)
DesignA state coat of arms against a field of azure.

The state flag of Vermont displays the state's coat of arms and motto ("Freedom and Unity") on a rectangular blue background. The Vermont General Assembly adopted the flag on June 1, 1923.

Multiple versions of the flag have been used throughout history. Originally, the flag was the flag of the Green Mountain Boys. It was then changed to look similar to the flag of the United States, with red and white stripes and a blue canton. It was changed again to be dissimilar to avoid confusion.[1] Proposals have been considered to revert the flag to the Green Mountain Boys' design, but none have succeeded.[2]

Symbolism

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The flag consists of the state's coat of arms and motto on a field of azure. While the pine needle supporters of the coat of arms are represented throughout New England and symbolizes the small pine branches worn at the Battle of Plattsburgh near the end of the War of 1812,[3] the pine tree in the middle of the coat of arms represents the Vermont forests.[4] The cow and three sheaves of wheat represent the dairy and agriculture industries.[5] The deer head on top represents Vermont's wildlife.[4] The Green Mountains are in the background as well. The motto, "Freedom and Unity", is also used. The motto balances two different ideals, the freedom of the individual citizen, and the welfare of the common good.

History

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Historic Vermont flags

Green Mountain Boys flag during the American Revolutionary War Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag

The first official flag of the State of Vermont used from May 1, 1804, to October 19, 1837. Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag

The second official flag of the State of Vermont used from October 20, 1837, to May 31, 1923. Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag

Earlier rendition of the present flag seen in the early 1920's. Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag

Black and white photograph of Vermont's third flag.[6]

There is no extant record of a design for an official Vermont flag prior to 1804, although Ira Allen's design—common to both the Great Seal of Vermont and the coat of arms of Vermont—dates to 1778.[7] While an official government flag might not have existed prior to 1804, the Vermont militia—known as the Green Mountain Boys—was formed in 1770, and remaining accounts record use of the flag of the Green Mountain Boys as far back as 1777.[8][9]

On May 1, 1804, the number of U.S. states rose to seventeen, and it was expected that the U.S. flag would change to 17 stars and 17 stripes. In anticipation, Vermont adopted the expected new U.S. flag design with the addition of the name "VERMONT" embroidered along the top. The U.S. flag did not add any stripes, resulting in the Vermont flag having more stripes than the national flag.[1]

On October 20, 1837, Vermont changed its flag to a design based on the 13-stripe U.S. flag, but with the multiple stars of the blue canton replaced with a single large star surrounding Vermont's coat of arms. The flags based on these specifications varied in the number of points on the star (five and eight, with eight slightly more common), and the exact details of the center of the star (with either the Great Seal or the coat of arms being used).[1]

During the Mexican-American War Vermont's sent troops that carried similar flags to the second state flag but with the name of the regiment on it. One of the flags was described as: "It is of silk, the regular thirteen stripes, but in the place of the field of stars in the coat of arms of Vermont, in a five pointed star. Beneath runs the motto, "Freedom and Unity," and on the sides of the star is emblazoned "27th Regiment."[10]

During the American Civil War, the Spanish–American War and World War I, the Vermont militia fought under a banner composed of the coat of arms of Vermont on a blue field.[7][11] This was essentially the same as the Vermont governor's flag, and very similar to the current state flag.

Because of confusion between the striped Vermont state flag and the U.S. flag, the design of the Vermont governor's flag was adopted as the official state flag on June 1, 1923.[1][12]

Proposals have been considered to make the flag of the Green Mountain Boys' the state flag of Vermont, but none have succeeded.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "The Vermont State Flag". NetState.com. September 24, 2009.
  2. ^ "Green Mountain Boys? - New Vermont State Flag Proposal". Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.>
  3. ^ Znamierowski, Alfred. The World Encyclopedia of Flags. Italy: Lorenz Books, 1999. 199. Print
  4. ^ a b "Vermont State Symbols". ThinkQuest.org. September 23, 2010. Archived from the original on April 19, 2010.
  5. ^ "Vermont State Flag". American Flag & Gift. July 15, 2009. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved May 20, 2008.
  6. ^ "Vermont, the Green Mountain state ; v. 5". Internet Archive. July 21, 2010. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Benedict, G. G. (March 1902). Charles S. Forbes, Charles R. Cummings (ed.). "The Vermont Flag". The Vermonter. VII (8). Charles S. Forbes publisher.
  8. ^ Hossell, Karen Price (2004). Ethan Allen. Heinemann-Raintree Classroom. ISBN 9781403450845.
  9. ^ Bennett, William J.; John T. E. Cribb (2010) [2008]. "Flags of the Revolutionary War". The American Patriot's Almanac. Thomas Nelson Inc. ISBN 9781418570989.
  10. ^ Daily Alta California, 24 February 1861
  11. ^ Red Bluff Independent, 24 February 1863
  12. ^ "Vermont Laws". legislature.vermont.gov.
  13. ^ "Green Mountain Boys? - New Vermont State Flag Proposal". Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
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