OK did ya know? State Flags

The first Oklahoma State flag was adopted in 1911. It was a simple red flag with a centered blue trimmed white star and the number 46 inside it. The flag fell into disfavor after the Russian Revolution in 1917. The Red flag and single white star began to be associated with symbols of Communism.


1911 - 1925

In 1925 a contest was held for a new design for the flag. Mrs. George Fluke, Jr.'s design was chosen and officially adopted by the State Legislature on April 2, 1925. Her design represented Oklahoma's Native American heritage by showing an Osage warrior's buckskin shield, decorated with pendant eagle feathers on a sky blue field. Crossing the shield are a peace pipe and olive branch representing peace and unity from the cultures of the Native American and European-American settlers.

In 1941 "OKLAHOMA" was added in white letters below the shield.


1925/1941 - Present

Here are the Oklahoma Statutes related to Oklahoma Flag(s):

• §25-91. State Flag - Design
  The banner, or flag, of the design prescribed by Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 25, Third Legislature of the State of Oklahoma shall be, and it hereby is superseded and replaced by one of the following design, towit:
  A sky blue field with a circular rawhide shield of an American Indian Warrior, decorated with six painted crosses on the face thereof, the lower half of the shield to be fringed with seven pendant eagle feathers and superimposed upon the face of the shield a calumet or peace pipe, crossed at right angles by an olive branch, as illustrated by the design accompanying this resolution, and underneath said shield or design in white letters shall be placed the word "Oklahoma", and the same is hereby adopted as the official flag and banner of the State of Oklahoma.
  
  
• §25-91.1. Public Institutions - Display of State Flag
  Every officer, board or person having jurisdiction over the main administration building of any public institution in this state, shall have the flag of the State of Oklahoma displayed on the respective administration building every day except Sunday and when the weather is inclement.
  
  
• §25-91.2. Public Schools - Display of State Flag
  It shall be the duty of the district boards or boards of education of every public school in this state, to cause the flag of the State of Oklahoma to be displayed during every school day from a flagstaff or pole, except that the flag need not be displayed in inclement weather.
  
  
• §25-91.3. State Flag Day
  Statehood Day, the 16th day of November of each year, is also designated as the official Oklahoma State Flag Day, and it is recommended that said day be observed by the people of this state by the display of the official flag of the State of Oklahoma and in such other ways as will be in harmony with the general character of the day.
  
  
• §25-93.1. Governor's Flag
  The flag of the Governor of the State of Oklahoma shall be forest green, bearing on each side the following: the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma, centered, surrounded by five equidistant white stars with one of the stars placed directly above the Great Seal; and the flag to be edged with golden fringe.
  
  
• §25-93.2. Flags Commemorating Bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building
  In memory of the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City which killed or injured hundreds of residents of this and other states, flags commemorating this incident and the courage and compassion of the people of this state, this country and the world who have been involved in the rescue of and aid to these residents are encouraged to be flown on flagpoles throughout this state the week of each year in which April 19th falls beginning on the Sunday of such week through to the following Saturday.
  
  The Governor may select which commemorative flag may be flown on state property each year, and citizens and the governing body of each political subdivision of the state may select the commemorative flag of choice for their own respective property.
  
  
• §25-83. Flag Week - Observance and Display of Flag.
  The Governor is hereby authorized and requested to proclaim June 8 to June 14, 1939 and each succeeding year thereafter as Flag Week. To direct each state, county, municipal and district official to arrange for a suitable observance of Flag Week in all public schools, cities and communities throughout the state. To provide for the display of the Flag in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth by the National Americanism Commission of the American Legion, focusing the attention of the people upon the National Emblem and uniting reverence and devotion to the principal of liberty in order that the spirit of the Union may be regenerated, and the perpetuity of democracy be insured now and forever.
  
  

Fourteen flags have flown over Oklahoma

• The Coronado's Royal Standard of Spain 1541
  
  
  
  
• The Great Union of Great Britain Flag of 1663
  
  
  
  
• The French Royal Standard of 1719
  
  
  
  
• The Standard of the Spanish Empire of 1763
  
  
  
  
• The Standard of Napoleon's French Republic of 1800
  
  
  
  
• The U.S. flag, with 15 stars, was the next to fly over Oklahoma when the territory was obtained from France in the Louisiana Purchase.
  
  
  
  
• The U.S. flag of 1818
  
  
  
  
• The Republic of Mexico Flag, which flew over the Oklahoma Panhandle from 1821 to 1836
  
  
  
  
• The Republic of Texas Flag, which flew over the Oklahoma Panhandle from 1836 to 1839
  
  
  
• The Lone Star Flag of Texas, which flew over the Oklahoma Panhandle from 1839 to 1850
  
  
  
  
• The Flag of the Choctaw Indian Nation, carried by Choctaw Nation Confederate Troops from 1861 to 1865
  
  
  
  
• The Confederate Battle Flag. Those flags were carried in Indian Territory during the Civil War during fighting at several sites.
  
  
  
  
• The Oklahoma State Flag adopted by the State Legislature in 1911
  
  
  
  
• The Oklahoma State Flag adopted by the State Legislature in 1925 (1941 mod).
  
  
  

Just for the heck of it, here are some waving flags: