Arkansas State Flag

Arkansas State Flag Adopted: April 24, 1924

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Arkansas state flag

Arkansas Law

The following information was excerpted from the Arkansas Code (Non annotated), Title 1, Chapter 4.

TITLE 1. General Provisions.
Chapter 4. State Symbols, Motto, Etc.
Section 1-4-101. State Flag.

(a) The official state flag shall be a rectangle of red on which is placed a large white diamond, bordered by a wide band of blue on which are twenty-five (25) white stars. Across the diamond shall be the word "ARKANSAS" and four (4) blue stars, with one (1) star above and three (3) stars below the word "ARKANSAS". The star above the word "ARKANSAS" shall be below the upper corner of the diamond. The three (3) stars below the word "ARKANSAS" shall be placed so that one (1) star shall be above the lower corner of the diamond and two (2) stars shall be placed symmetrically, parallel above and to the right and left of the star in the lower corner of the diamond.

(b) The three (3) stars so placed are designed to represent the three (3) nations, France, Spain, and the United States, which have successively exercised dominion over Arkansas. These stars also indicate that Arkansas was the third state carved out of the Louisiana Purchase. Of these three (3) stars, the twin stars parallel with each other signify that Arkansas and Michigan are twin states, having been admitted to the Union together on June 15, 1836. The twenty-five (25) white stars on the band of blue show that Arkansas was the twenty-fifth state admitted to the Union. The blue star above the word "ARKANSAS" is to commemorate the Confederate States of America. The diamond signifies that this state is the only diamond-bearing state in the Union.

History. House Concurrent Resolution, No. 23, Acts 1953, p. 1510; A.S.A. 1947, § 5-108.

1-4-103. Lowering of flags upon death of public officials.

(a) It shall be the policy of the State of Arkansas to honor and pay tribute to certain public officials by lowering the state flags located on public buildings and other public property to half-mast from the time notice of the official's death is received through the day on which funeral services are conducted for the deceased official.

(b) This section shall apply with respect to the following officers:
(1) Current and past members of the United States Congress from the State of Arkansas;
(2) Current constitutional officers of the State of Arkansas;
(3) Former Governors of the State of Arkansas;
(4) Current members of the Arkansas General Assembly;
(5) Current members of the Arkansas Supreme Court.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not interfere with or restrict the authority of the Governor to order the state flag lowered to half-mast by executive proclamation at times other than those mentioned in this section.

History. Acts 1977, No. 534, §§ 1-3; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 5-108.1 - 5-108.3.

1-4-104. Distribution of flags.

(a) The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to obtain a sufficient quantity of flags of the United States and of the State of Arkansas in order that the flags that have been flown over the State Capitol Building may be made available to members of the House and Senate of the General Assembly and to the Governor for distribution to civic groups, schools, and organized youth groups in their respective areas.

(b) A sufficient quantity of flags shall be obtained to permit the Secretary of State to make available for distribution in the manner authorized in this section:
(1) Fifteen (15) Arkansas flags and ten (10) United States flags per calendar year to each member of the House of Representatives and the Senate;
(2) One hundred (100) flags per calendar year, which may be either Arkansas flags or United States flags as indicated by the Governor, to the Governor; and
(3) Twenty-five (25) Arkansas flags and twenty-five (25) United States flags per calendar year to:
(A) The office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(B) The office of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
(C) The Lieutenant Governor;
(D) The Secretary of State;
(E) The Treasurer of State;
(F) The Auditor of State; and
(G) The Commissioner of State Lands.

(c) The provisions of this section shall be in lieu of any other law of this state which provides for the Secretary of State to furnish copies of flags for distribution to civic groups, schools, and organized youth groups.

History. Acts 1985, No. 414, §§ 1, 2; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 5-120, 5-121; Acts 1989 (1st Ex. Sess.), No. 123, § 14; 2003, No. 300, § 1.

Sources...

/strong> Arkansas General Assembly, Arkansas Code (Non annotated), (http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/NXT/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=blr:code), June 30, 2007.
Source: State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers, and Other Symbols by George Earlie Shankle. Reprint Services Corp; Revised edition (June 1971).

Additional Information

Adoption of Arkansas's State Flag from NETSTATE.

Protocol For The Arkansas State Flag: This booklet outlines procedures for the care and use of the Arkansas State Flag. The book was compiled by a committee formed by the Secretary of State. Representatives of the Governor's Office, the Department of Education, the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., the State History Commission, the Secretary of State's Office and the Daughters of the American Revolution made up the committee.

Activities: Grades K-4 - Flag PDF
Activities: Grades 5-8 - Protocol For The Arkansas State Flag
Activities: Grades 9-12 - Protocol For The Arkansas State Flag

Arkansas (U.S.): FOTW "Flags of the World" Web Site.

State Flags: Complete list of state flags with links to large pictures and images suitable for coloring.

Flag Terminology: The parts of a flag and terms associated with its design.

Visit Our Flag Shop: Purchase all kinds of flags and banners, lapel pins, 50 state flag sets, decals, patches, college banners at the Flag Shop.

Flags of the Fifty States and their Incredible Histories: A complete guide to America's most powerful symbols by Randy Howe.

How Proudly They Wave: Flags of the Fifty States: This book, by Rita D. Haban, is geared toward younger readers.