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The
State Flag of Delaware was adopted on July 24,
1913 and is steeped in references to the
colonial era in which Delaware was one of the
thirteen original colonies. In fact, Delaware
was the first state to ratify the Constitution
of the United States and that fact is proudly
represented on the state flag.
A field of
colonial blue is the setting for a buff colored
diamond in which the coat of arms of the state
is displayed. Beneath the diamond and the coat
of arms is the date, December 7, 1787. This is
the day that Delaware became the first state to
ratify the Constitution and the first state of a
new nation.
The
colonial blue field and the buff colored diamond
were said, by members of the commission
established to design the state flag, to
represent the colors of a uniform worn by
General George Washington. And, indeed, some
regiments of the Revolution wore blue coats with
buff trim. The diamond is a reference to an
early state nickname, the Diamond State, so
given because of Delaware's small size and great
value, evidenced in its geographical position on
the Atlantic Ocean and its leadership
contributions.
The
coat of arms depicts early occupational symbols
for shipping, farming, hunting and cattle
ranching.
If you
want more information on the State Flags of the
United States, you might want to check
How Proudly They Wave: Flags of the Fifty States
by Rita D. Haban. This book is
geared toward kids... and for adults like me who
want to know about the history and design
significance of the flags of all fifty states
but can't find this information in an expensive
encyclopedia. |