Friday, May 13, 2016

Maine State Flag History

By Tom Nigel


The earliest human habitation in what is now Maine can be traced back to prehistoric times, as evidenced by the burial mounds of the Red Paint people found in the south-central part of the state. The Native Americans who came later left enormous shell heaps, variously estimated to be from 1,000 to 5,000 years old. At the time of settlement by Europeans, the Abnaki were scattered along the coast and in some inland areas.

The first white settlement was established by the Plymouth Company at Popham in 1607, the same year of the settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. Because the Popham colony didn't survive the harsh Maine winters, Jamestown enjoys the distinction of being regarded as America's first permanent settlement.

There are other facts regarding Maine Flag history that should be known. The State Legislature of Maine passed on 21st March 1901, a resolution to constitute a proper Maine Flag. This act stated the criteria for the Maine Flag, regarding the kind of symbols used on it and how they would be displayed. However, the Legislature altered the standards of the flag on 23rd February 1909, thus placing the state coat of arms on the blue flag.

The flag of Maine features the state coat of arms centered on a dark blue background. In the center of the shield, a moose rests under a pine tree while a farmer and seaman stand on either side. The North Star shines above the shield with a red banner beneath that contains the Latin word and state motto, “Dirigo,” meaning “I lead.” Below the shield, a blue banner holds the state’s name.

Maine's official state seal also displays the state's coat of arms. The farmer is a symbol of pride in Maine's agricultural roots. The sailor represents Maine's strong ties to the sea. Symbols of the natural richness of the state are pictured on the center shield - a pine tree, a moose (Maine's official state animal), sea, and sky.

The bright blue Maine Flag make use of an overtly symbolic coat of arms in keeping with the ideals of the state. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Maine State Flag for the future.




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