North Dakota’s flag was introduced in a 1911 bill by Colonel John H. Fraine.
Fraine led the North Dakota infantry during the Philippine–American War, where a similar flag (the U.S. coat of arms on a field of blue) was flown.
To make identifying the flag easier, “North Dakota” was added on a scroll of red and gold.
The flag was officially adopted March 3, 1911.
The North Dakota flag features a field of blue charged with a left-facing eagle, centered.
Upon the eagle’s chest is a shield with seven red and six white alternating stripes. The eagle clasps an olive branch and a sheaf of arrows. In its mouth, it holds a banner inscribed with “E Pluribus Unum.”
Above the eagle are thirteen gold stars underneath golden sun rays.
Below the eagle, “North Dakota” is inscribed on a scroll of red and gold.
the birth of a new nation
the original thirteen colonies
freedom, strength, peace, the United States
North Dakota
The State Historical Society of North Dakota provides specific Pantone values for the colors included in the flag.
North Dakota statute specifies the flag and eagle’s dimensions in feet and inches.
It uses an unusual proportion of 26:33 (a hoist of 4 feet, 4 inches and a fly of 5 feet, 6 inches), but it is often produced with a 3:5 proportion.
The eagle should be 3 feet, 4 inches wing to wing and 1 foot, 10 inches from head to olive branch.
The flag can have an optional border of knotted yellow fringe 2 and 1/2 inches wide.
