Flag of North Carolina
The flag of the State of North Carolina, often referred to as the North Carolina flag, N.C. flag, or North Star, is the state flag of the U.S. state of North Carolina.
Statute
The 2024 North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 144, § 144-1, defines the state flag as follows:Symbolism
The flag bears the dates of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and of the Halifax Resolves, documents that place North Carolina at the forefront of the American independence movement. Both dates also appear on the seal of North Carolina.History
First flag (1861–1865)
North Carolina did not have an official state flag until the North Carolinian state constitutional convention of 1861. During this convention, delegates voted to join the Confederacy. They established a committee to come up with a flag. This flag was ratified by the convention on June 22, 1861. The flag consisted of a red field with a white star in the center. Inscribed above the star was the date May 20, 1775, the controversial date of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Inscribed below the star in a semi-circular form was the date May 20, 1861, which was the date North Carolina declared it had seceded from the Union. The flag also contained two bars of equal width, one in red and one in white. The design is similar to one suggested by Raleigh artist William G. Browne.During the American Civil War, secessionist leaders spoke of the Mecklenburg Declaration with reverence, attempting to connect it with the state's joining the Confederacy. Confederate leader Jefferson Davis spoke to a Charlotte crowd in September 1864, saying "people of this section were the first to defy British authority and declare themselves free" encouraging them to continue backing the Confederacy's civil war effort.
In 1880, The Raleigh papers ask Governor Jarvis for a state flag to be displayed at the Battle of Kings Mountain Centennial in South Carolina.
Current flag (1885–present)
Flag statute of 1885
A former Confederate soldier and adjutant general of North Carolina, Johnston Jones, introduced the bill which led the state legislature to adopt a new flag in March 1885, to replace the flag that had been adopted on June 22, 1861. The red field of the old flag was replaced by a blue field. This was the first and only flag formally representing the State of North Carolina as a part of the United States.The flag of the state of North Carolina was adopted by statute of the North Carolina General Assembly in 1885 and was defined as follows:
During the Spanish-American War the state organized the 1st North Carolina Regiment, which carried the state flag.
Flag modification of 1991
On June 24, 1991, a bill was passed by the North Carolina Senate that changed the official proportions of the state flag. It changed from "… the total length of the flag shall be one-third more than its width" as written in the 1885 act to "… the total length of the flag shall be one-half more than its width."Proposed flags
According to Fairfield Weekly Journal, an earlier state flag was adopted by the state House of Representatives. The design was described as:In 1893, a bill was introduced to replaced the star with the state seal, as the star was not seen as a symbol of the state.
During the Spanish-American War the state flag caused controversy for having similar colors to the Spanish flag. One newspaper suggested that they go back old blue flag.
In 1902, senator Glenn proposed to removed the star and "N. C." and replaced them with the coat of arms of the state.
In 1908, Professor Robertson proposed that the flag should have 2 stars with the new date "May 26, 1908"
Other flags
Before the state flag was adopted in 1885 many unofficial flags were used, most had a blue field with the state's coat of arms in the middle.In 1845, the state legislature approved funds to the Governor too purchased the American flag, also a state flag described as bearing the state's coat of arms.
On May 25, 1881 Governor Jarvis procured a National flag and a state flag. It was flown over the state house during the state's 160th anniversary. It design is not known.
In 1884, at the Messrs. Alfred Williams & Eugene Harrell office in Raleigh there was a state flag displayed. It had a blue field with the state's coat of arms in the middle.
In August of 1885, Governor Scale's flag was raised in over R. A. Shotwell funeral. It was described as having a blue field with the state coat of arms in the middle.
In 1892, Lieutenant Cramer of the state's Naval Militia received a Naval Battalion flag. It was 5 feet wide and 6 feet long, the field was navy blue and in the center was the state's coat of arms. Above the arms was two red scrolls with the top one saying "1st Battalion," in gold, and the bottom one "Naval Artillery." On the left side of state's arms are the letters "N. C." and to the right is "S. G" In each corner of the banner is their insignia, two crossed cannons with and anchor in the middle. The whole thing costed $80 and was made in Columbus, Ohio.
In 1893, a state flag containing the state's coat of arms was displayed Carroll institute in Washington D.C.
In 1905, Governor Glenn was given his own flag. It was described as being the same as the state flag but with inscription: "General Headquarters, State of North Carolina," across the red and white bars in gold
In 1920, a unique state flag was flown bearing the words: "States Rights Defense League." The banner was raised to protest the new state laws about flag desecration.