Idaho is sometimes called “the Gem State”. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to find one of the 72 types of precious stones there.
You’ve probably always recognized the reoccurring theme among the nation’s state flags with blue fields, as it identifies as the color used in the United States flag. Idaho’s state flag is also navy blue, with the state seal in the middle. However, something distinctive about Idaho’s flag is that it includes the only state seal designed by a woman, Emma Edwards.
The words “State of Idaho” are on display in gold lettering below the seal. And as you can see, Edwards’ art reflects Idaho’s main industries: mining, agriculture, forestry, and wildlife.
As the topic of women’s right to vote was being debated at the time, Edwards made it a point to place a man and woman next to one another and at equal heights representing equality, liberty, and justice.
Georgia
If you ever visit Georgia, you must visit the Cyclorama Building, in Atlanta, home of a 385 ft long painting, which happened to be the largest mural in the world till 2004. The painting depicts a panoramic view of the Civil War battle of Atlanta.
Having had three different state flags since 2001 alone, Georgia has had a pretty high flag turnover rate. The reason being is the debate around whether or not, and to what degree, the state flag should reference the Confederate flag.
Just for a little background, the now disputable flag first made its appearance during the American Civil War when seven southern states rebelled against President Abraham Lincoln’s anti-slavery legislation and seceded from the United States.
Centuries later, the Confederate flag continued to be flown during the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 60s to intimidate African-Americans from rioting and was even adopted by the Ku Klux Klan. The flag eventually became a symbol of segregation and white supremacy. So, you could imagine why some people may feel uneasy when they see it.
The current flag was chosen after a statewide vote in 2004. While it is still based on the Confederate flag's characteristic “stars and bars”, it no longer includes the St. Andrew’s cross it once had. For comparison, in the photo, the current state flags can be seen on the left, on the upper right is the Confederate battle flag, and beneath it the official flag of the Confederate States.
Hawaii
Need some space? Hawaii is the most isolated population center in the world. It's 2,390 miles from California; 3,850 miles from Japan; 4,900 miles from China, and 5,673 mi from Australia.
Hawaii adopted its official state flag in 1845, it's a mash-up between the red, white, and blue stripes of the U.S.A flag and the classic British Union Jack of the U.K. The eight stripes also represent the eight main islands in the chain: Hawaii, Lanai, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Niihau, and Oahu.
Something unique about Hawaii is that the native Hawaiians also acknowledge another flag as their own- the personal flag of King Kamehameha I. The flag's color scheme of red, yellow, and green represents the different groups within Hawaiian society: royal, landed gentry, and commoners.
Illinois
The Illinois State flag seems pretty straight forward at first glance- a white field with the name, “Illinois” underneath, with a seal at its center, showing a bald eagle, with a red banner in its beak flaunting the state’s motto, “State Sovereignty, National Union.”
In 1867, then-Secretary of State Sharon Tyndale had wanted to reverse the order of the phrases to show support for the Union during the Reconstruction era but was overruled by the state Senate. He did, however, place the word “sovereignty” upside down to make it harder to read.
Indiana
The state flag of Indiana incorporates symbolism reflective of the country's history alongside tributes to the state itself. The dark blue flag has a torch in its center that stands for values that the American people hold in high regard, liberty and enlightenment. The rays that emanate from the torch represent Indiana’s widespread influence.
There is a total of nineteen stars on the flag, as Indiana was the 19th state admitted to the Union. The thirteen outer stars circling the torch represent the original thirteen colonies, while the five inner stars stand for to the next fives states expected to join the Union. The largest star at the top of the flag, right below the name of the state, represents the state itself. With such a powerful symbolisms it's no wonder Indiana's first official flag and has remained unchanged since it was adopted in 1917.