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Nebraska (U.S.)

by Mario Fabretto, 24 February 1998

History of the State Flag
Legal Description
State Military Crest

Municipal Flags:

County Flags:

See also:

In 1867, a star was added, representing Nebraska, bringing the total number of stars on the U.S. flag to 37. There were thirteen stripes representing the thirteen original colonies.

History of the Nebraska State Flag

From: http://www.state.ne.us/home/SOS/htm/flag.htm

In 1921, a state flag design by a New York Architect was presented to the Legislature, but was turned down as being inappropriate. Nebraska was one of the last states to adopt a State Flag. Representative, J. Lloyd McMaster introduced a bill in 1925, designating a State Banner. The bill was passed and became statute. The law describes the banner as "a reproduction of the Great Seal of the State charged on the center in gold and silver on a field of national blue." The 1963 Legislature designated the state banner the official flag of Nebraska. The 1965 Legislature amended Section 84-714 Revised Statutes of Nebraska to add "and may be displayed on such occasions, at such times, and under such conditions as the Flag of the United States of America. The State Flag shall be displayed on or near the State Capitol, the Governor's Mansion, all Courthouses, City or Village Halls, Schoolhouses, and other public administrative buildings in the State under or to the left of the Flag of the United States of America." The original State Flag is currently hanging in the Secretary of State's office for the viewing pleasure of the public.

Submitted by
Dov Gutterman, 19 June 2000

Legal Description

Nebraska Statutes
90-102. State banner; design; legend described; official state flag; when and where displayed. The banner of the State of Nebraska shall consist of a reproduction of the Great Seal of the State, charged on the center in gold and silver on a field of national blue.

84-501. Secretary of State; Great Seal; custodian. The Secretary of State shall safely keep and not suffer to be imitated or counterfeited the Great Seal of the State of Nebraska of the form and design prescribed by the Act approved June 15, 1867, as follows:

"Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Nebraska, That the Secretary of State be, and he is hereby authorized and required to procure, at the cost and expense of the state, and as soon after the passage of this act as practicable, a seal for the state, to be designated and known as the Great Seal of the State of Nebraska, and of the design and device following, that is to say: The eastern part of the circle to be represented by a steamboat ascending the Missouri river; the mechanic arts to be represented by a smith with hammer and anvil; in the foreground, agriculture to be represented by a settler's cabin, sheaves of wheat and stalks of growing corn; in the background a train of cars heading towards the Rocky Mountains, and on the extreme west, the Rocky Mountains to be plainly in view; around the top of this circle to be in capital letters, the motto. 'EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW,' and the circle to be surrounded with the words, 'Great Seal of the State of Nebraska, March 1st, 1867.' "

Joe McMillan, 16 February 2000

State Military Crest

by Joe McMillan, 21 April 2000

The state military crest, which is the crest used in the coats of arms of units of the National Guard, as granted by the precursor organizations of what is now the Army Institute of Heraldry. The official Institute of Heraldry blazon is "An ear of corn in full ear partially husked proper. [Nebraska is nicknamed the Cornhusker State.]"
Joe McMillan, 21 April 2000