History Of Kansas Flag

By Marta Sheen


Kansas takes its name from the Kansa Indians. Kansa means “People of the South Wind.” Kansas entered the Union on January 29, 1861, marking the end of a long period of exploration and settlement, and following a brief but bloody and bitter struggle between early settlers over the extension of slavery. Ahead were days of growth and development that contributed to the strength and prosperity of our American nation.

Between 1541 and 1739 explorers from Spain and France came to the area in search of gold, knowledge and trade with the Indians. In 1803, Kansas became a part of the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Fifty-one years later it was organized as a territory which included the eastern half of Colorado.

The state flag adopted on March 23, 1927, usually represented the state on official occasions. It showed the state seal without the inscriptions on its outer rim; above was the crest of Kansas as used by its National Guard a naturalistic sunflower over a heraldic wreath of yellow and blue. Complaints were raised that this flag was so close in design to those of many other states that it could not readily be identified.

Thus, in 1961, the state's name was added below the seal in large golden letters. Modifications have also been made in the seal design. In 1985, it was decided that the homesteader's cabin in the seal should no longer have smoke pouring from its chimney and that the herd of bison should comprise exactly five animals. The seal, dating from 1861, is very complex to manufacture if made in accordance with regulations.

The group of 344 stars huddled in the above portion of the seal, indicates that Kansas was the 34th state admitted to the Union. The seal on the Kansas Flag represents a lush farmland, with a farmer plowing his land near a wooden cabin. The steamboat on the Kansas river is a representation of the state's growing commerce. The sunrise, hills, bison and the Native Americans depicted on the Kansas Flag stand for the rich landscape and natural wealth of the state.

There is a barrage of cheap and inferior Kansas flags being imported and sold, that do not comply with the flag statute. This is bad for a number of reasons. Imported flags are cheaply made and more importantly, the designs, materials, colors, and methods of printing do not compare well with the better quality, longer-lasting, and correctly designed flags made by American manufacturers. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Kansas flag for the future.




About the Author: