Centennial Commemoration Ceremony of Oklahoma’s State Flag

On April 2, beginning at 3 p.m., a ceremony in the Devon Great Hall of the Oklahoma History Center will commemorate Oklahoma’s current state flag, first adopted on April 2, 1925. Speakers will make presentations on the history and significance of Oklahoma’s State flags at the event.

One hundred years ago, on April 2, 1925, the state adopted a new flag design featuring an Osage shield on a blue background. A bison hide war shield belonging to Chief Black Dog II in the Oklahoma Historical Society’s collections from the 1890s was the inspiration for our current state flag. The artifact has six crosses representing stars painted on one side of the shield, depicting the night sky. The other side of the shield represents the sun. Hanging eagle feathers are attached to its outer rim. The artifact inspired artist Louise Funk Fluke when she was creating her entry for a statewide contest held by the Oklahoma Daughters of the American Revolution for a new design of Oklahoma’s State Flag. She studied Oklahoma history, examined various artifacts, and consulted with Dr. Joseph B. Thoburn of the OHS. She ultimately decided to make the Osage shield central to her design. Fluke won the contest, and the state officially adopted the design for its flag in 1925. In 1941, the word “Oklahoma” was added beneath the shield, and a 1988 resolution defined the colors for the background, shield, feathers, crosses, and calumet.

No state flag was designed when Oklahoma was admitted to the Union on November 16, 1907. The first flag of Oklahoma was adopted in 1911. Its design had a red field and the number “46” set in the center of the design within a white star insignia.

L to R: Blanche E. Little, of Cushing, OK, Mary Briscoe Jones, and Ruth Tagwell Jones presenting the Oklahoma State Flag at the National Associated Council in Washington DC, April 25, 1927.