Kansas

Kansas
Country	United States
Adopted	March 1985 (modified on April 18, 2022)
Designed by	(unknown, based on original design by Hazel Avery)
Proportions	3:5

The flag of Kansas is blue with a stylized version of the state seal of Kansas just above the center of the flag. Above the seal is a stylized version of the Kansas state military crest, featuring a sunflower. Underneath the seal in large yellow lettering is the word "KANSAS".

Symbolism

The flag is charged with the Great Seal of the State of Kansas and the state military crest. The word "KANSAS" was added to the lower portion of the flag in 1961, in order to distinguish it from so many other blue-colored state flags when displayed at national events.

The 34 stars on the flag represent the fact that Kansas is the 34th state to gain statehood. The sunflower on the top represents the fact that the sunflower is Kansas's state flower.

State Banner

The state banner was adopted in 1953, an updated version of the original 1925 design, which was adotped by the state legislature before the flag was in 1927. The 1925 design of the banner was a golden sunflower on a blue fieldwith the word "KANSAS" in gold above.

Historical Flags

While not known to have been flown in Kansas officially, the "ADMIT ME FREE" flag was popular among free-staters outside of Kansas. The flag pictured flew over a Republican Party rally in Pennsylvania during the 1856 general election.

The "Admit Me Free" flag was flown by "free-staters", those who advocated the then U.S. territory Kansas being admitted to the Union as a "free" or non-slaveholding state during the late 1850's. It was frequently used by Republican Party Presidential candidates during the 1856 and 1860 elections to show support for a free Kansas, when Kansas' statehood was a major issue.

Kansas
(1927-1961)

Kansas
(1961-2022)

Kansas
(2022-present)

Nickname

• The Sunflower

Notes

• The current pre-modified state flag of Kansas was adopted on 1961, to celebrate the centennial of Kansas's statehood.