New Jersey’s State Flag Has an Interesting History
The American Flag is one of the most important symbols of the United States. But, how much do you know about the state flag? The American Flag is one of…
The American Flag is one of the most important symbols of the United States. But, how much do you know about the state flag?
The American Flag is one of the most important symbols of the United States. It's a lovely piece of cloth that proudly totes the colors red, white and blue, and you don't have to go far to see one outside a business or home in pretty much every city and town in the U.S. But, how much do you know about the state one?
The State Flag and Its Meaning
So, what are the origins of the American Flag? What's wild is that it's not totally clear. "The origin of the first American flag is unknown," notes PBS, adding that "some historians believe it was designed by New Jersey Congressman Francis Hopkinson and sewn by Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross."
Also, the initial American banner looked different from what it is today. "When the United States Flag was first recognized by Congress in 1777, it did not have the familiar thirteen stripes and fifty stars that it does today," the National Flag Foundation notes. "Although still red, white, and blue, the Flag had thirteen stars and stripes to represent the original thirteen colonies of the United States."
Now, Reader's Digest has highlighted each state's flag and its meaning. "Whether you’re looking to amp up your knowledge of American history or celebrate holidays like Memorial Day, take the time to learn about each of the U.S. state flags," they state in the feature. "Each flag has a story, making it all the more fascinating when studying the history of the state you live in."
So, the New Jersey state flag has colors that were actually picked by George Washington: buff and New Jersey blue. The flag features the state seal with a bevy of symbols, including the helmet and horse's head representing New Jersey's status as one of the very first states and third to sign the U.S. Constitution. Another symbol is the scroll with New Jersey's motto of "Liberty and Prosperity" and "1776," the year New Jersey officially became a state.
"The two women holding the shield are Liberty, holding a staff with a liberty cap, and Ceres, the Roman goddess of grain who holds a cornucopia filled with the many fruits and veggies grown in the state," Reader's Digest adds. "The shield in between the two women also heralds the state’s agriculture with three rows of plows."
