Colonel John H. Fraine introduced a resolution to the North Dakota Legislative Assembly to adopt a state flag that would take the color, size and form of the regimental flag carried by the North Dakota Infantry in the Spanish American War and the Phillipine Island Insurrection. The only exception was that the name of the state, North Dakota, was to be displayed on the scroll below the Bald Eagle.

LARGE FLAG    COLOR ME FLAG

Introduced on January 21, 1911, his resolution was adopted by the Legislative Assembly on March 3, 1911. 

Courtesy of the North Dakota Secretary of State.

A dark blue field displays a Bald Eagle grasping an olive branch and a bundle of arrows in its claws. The eagle carries a ribbon with the words "One nation made up of many states." On its breast is a shield with thirteen stripes representing the original thirteen states. The fan-shaped design above the eagle represents the birth of the United States and included thirteen stars echoing the thirteen stripes on the shield. The red scroll below the eagle displays the state name, North Dakota. 

A bill to change the state flag because it too closely resembled the Coat of Arms of the United States and was not particularly symbolic of North Dakota was introduced and defeated in 1953.

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.

Purchase North Dakota State Flags: You may purchase quality state flags from Champion Flags