South Dakota’s first state flag was designed by Ida Anding McNeil, a local stenographer. It was adopted July 1, 1909 and featured a two-sided design: a golden sun on the obverse and the state seal on the reverse.
Proving difficult to manufacture, the flag was redesigned in 1963. The seal was moved to the obverse and placed on top of the sun.
The flag was updated one more time, when the nickname inscribed was changed from “The Sunshine State” to “The Mount Rushmore State.”
This version of the flag was officially adopted July 1, 1992.
The South Dakota flag features a field of sky blue charged with the state seal in white and dark blue, centered.
Surrounding the seal is a serrated, golden sun. Around the sun, the words “South Dakota” are inscribed above and “The Mount Rushmore State” below.
Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills
the Sunshine State, South Dakota’s nickname until 1992
the year South Dakota gained statehood
Under God the People Rule.
Note: It is one of three flags to include a reference to God.
agricultural tradition
gold and mining industries
transportation, commerce, the Missouri River
The South Dakota flag uses a unique sky blue for its field.
The South Dakota flag uses a proportion of 3:5.
Within the field, the seal should be 4/9 the width of the hoist and the sun, 5/9. The width each of the golden letters should be 1/18 the width of the hoist.
Flags made for indoor use should have three sides of golden fringe 1/18 the width of the hoist.
Ida Anding McNeil’s design featuring the sunburst.
The reverse side featuring the state seal.
The seal is moved to the obverse of the flag and the sunburst simplified.
The text is changed to “The Mount Rushmore State.”