Alaska State Flag History: How a 13-Year-Old Alaska Kid Drew the Big Dipper and Changed a State
Before 1927, Alaska had no flag of its own. It was still a U.S. territory, and only the Stars and Stripes flew over schools, churches, and government buildings from Ketchikan to Nome. But in a few short months, a design contest, a determined territorial governor, and a 13-year-old boy living in an orphanage would create one of the most beloved state flags in the country.
This is the story of how the Alaska state flag came to be, what its symbols mean, and why the Big Dipper and North Star still matter to Alaskans today.
The Territory With No Flag
Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867, but for decades it remained a territory without a flag of its own. Alaskans flew the U.S. flag proudly, yet many local leaders believed that having a distinctive territorial flag would help build identity—and eventually strengthen the case for statehood.
In the mid-1920s, Territorial Governor George Parks visited Washington, D.C. and noticed the flags of the 48 states flying outside a federal building. Alaska wasn’t represented. That image stuck with him. He returned home convinced that Alaska needed its own flag—something that would stand next to the other states and say, “We belong here too.”
With his encouragement, the Alaska Department of the American Legion agreed to sponsor a flag design contest. Their goal was simple but powerful: let Alaska’s children imagine the future of their home and put it in the sky.
The Flag Contest: Letting Alaska’s Kids Design the Future
In 1926, the Alaska American Legion announced a territory-wide contest to design a flag for Alaska. It was open to students in grades 7–12 across the territory. Posters and instructions were sent to schools from the Aleutians to the Inside Passage.
The contest rules asked students to create a simple, meaningful design that could represent Alaska for generations. Local judges in each town chose the top entries, and those finalists were sent on to Juneau for the final round. In the end, more than a hundred designs were submitted—featuring everything from polar bears and northern lights to gold pans and the midnight sun.
Out of all those ideas, one design from a seventh-grader in Seward stood out immediately.
Who Was Benny Benson?
The winning designer was John Ben “Benny” Benson, Jr., a 13-year-old Alaska Native boy living at the Jesse Lee Home, an orphanage that had recently moved from Unalaska to Seward.
Benny’s life up to that point had been hard. He was born in the village of Chignik on the south shore of the Alaska Peninsula. His father, John Ben Benson, was a Swedish fisherman; his mother, Tatiana Schebolein, was Aleut-Russian. Benny had an older sister, Elsie, and a younger brother, Carl.
Tragedy struck early. A severe illness swept through their village, and Benny’s mother died of pneumonia when he was still very young. Not long after, the family’s home burned down in a fire. Those back-to-back losses forced Benny’s father to make a painful decision: he split up the children so they could be cared for. Elsie was sent to a school in Oregon, while Benny and Carl were sent to the Jesse Lee Home in Unalaska.
The Jesse Lee Home cared for hundreds of Alaska Native children who had lost parents to epidemics and hardship. In 1925, the orphanage relocated to Seward to serve a more central part of the territory. That’s where Benny was living when he heard about the flag contest.
From his desk at school, he thought about what Alaska meant to him: the night sky he saw above the orphanage, the northern stars, the feeling of looking up and knowing where “home” was on the map. Out of that experience came one of the most elegant flag designs in American history.
Designing the Alaska Flag: The Big Dipper and the North Star
Benny’s design was simple: a deep blue field with eight gold stars. Seven stars form the Big Dipper, part of the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear). The eighth star, placed higher and to the right, is the North Star (Polaris).
On his submission, Benny wrote a short explanation of what these symbols meant. His words captured both Alaska’s landscape and its future. Paraphrased, his ideas were:
- The blue field stands for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, a beloved Alaska wildflower.
- The seven stars of the Big Dipper represent the Great Bear, symbolizing strength and a creature native to Alaska.
- The North Star represents Alaska’s place as the northernmost part of the United States and its future as a state.
The design worked on multiple levels. It was rooted in Alaska’s natural world—the night sky, native wildlife, and flowers—yet it also carried a sense of direction and destiny. Anyone who had ever looked up at a clear Alaskan night could recognize the scene. And anyone who understood navigation knew the importance of the North Star as a fixed guide.
Compared to other entries that focused on seals, slogans, and complicated scenery, Benny’s flag was crisp, bold, and timeless.
A Unanimous Choice and a Historic Adoption
When the final panel of judges met in Juneau in early 1927, Benny’s design was a unanimous favorite. The Territorial Legislature quickly moved to adopt it. In May 1927, both houses voted unanimously to make Benny’s flag the official flag of the Territory of Alaska.
On July 9, 1927, the Alaska flag was flown for the first time in Seward. During the ceremony, Benny was honored in front of the community. He received a gold watch engraved with the flag and a $1,000 scholarship—a large sum at the time—which he later used to study diesel mechanics.
For Native Alaskans, the moment carried special meaning. Just a few years earlier, Alaska Natives had gained U.S. citizenship and the right to vote. To see a Native teenager’s design chosen to represent the entire territory was a powerful symbol of pride and recognition. Benny quickly became a hero to many Alaska Native communities, proof that a young person’s voice and creativity could shape history.
From Territorial Banner to State Flag
Although the flag was designed for a territory, its symbolism was strong enough to survive the transition to statehood. When Alaska became the 49th state in 1959, Benny’s design was formally adopted as the official state flag.
The original silk flag with hand-sewn gold stars, Benny’s original drawing, and the watch he later donated are preserved today in Alaska museum collections. Exhibits about the Alaska flag often highlight not just the design, but the story of the boy who created it and the communities who rallied around it.
Over time, designers and vexillology (flag-study) groups have praised the Alaska flag for its simplicity and symbolism. In surveys comparing state and provincial flags, Alaska’s design frequently ranks near the top. The combination of a clean layout, meaningful imagery, and easy recognition makes it a standout in a sea of seals and busy graphics.
Flag, Song, and Story: How the Alaska Flag Became a Cultural Icon
The Alaska flag didn’t just inspire pride—it also inspired music. The poetic way Benny described the blue field, the stars, and the forget-me-not helped spark the creation of Alaska’s state song, “Alaska’s Flag.” The lyrics echo the same themes: the sky, the Big Dipper, the North Star, and the promise of Alaska’s future.
Across the state, communities celebrate Alaska Flag Day by retelling Benny’s story, singing the state song, and teaching children how to recognize the Big Dipper in the night sky. Schools use his story as a reminder that creativity, resilience, and imagination matter—even when life has been difficult.
Today, you’ll see the Alaska flag flying over homes, boats, schools, and government buildings, but you’ll also see it on jackets, patches, stickers, and art. For many Alaskans, it’s more than a symbol of government—it’s a symbol of home.
Key Symbols of the Alaska State Flag (At a Glance)
- Blue field: Represents the night sky over Alaska and the forget-me-not, an Alaskan flower.
- Big Dipper (Ursa Major): Symbolizes the Great Bear, strength, and Alaska’s wildlife.
- North Star (Polaris): Represents Alaska’s position as the northernmost state and a guiding light for the future.
- Eight gold stars: The color gold hints at Alaska’s gold-rush history and natural resources.
- Student-designed: Created by a 13-year-old Alaska Native boy, reminding people that young voices can change history.
FAQ: Alaska State Flag History
Who designed the Alaska state flag?
The Alaska state flag was designed by John Ben “Benny” Benson, Jr., a 13-year-old Alaska Native student living at the Jesse Lee Home in Seward. His design won a territory-wide contest open to students in grades 7–12.
When was the Alaska flag first adopted?
The territorial legislature unanimously adopted Benny’s design in May 1927. The flag was flown for the first time on July 9, 1927, in Seward. When Alaska became a state in 1959, this same design officially became the state flag.
What do the stars on the Alaska flag represent?
Seven of the gold stars form the Big Dipper, part of the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear), symbolizing strength and Alaska’s wildlife. The eighth star is the North Star, representing Alaska’s position in the far north and its future as a guiding “last frontier” state.
Why is the background of the flag blue?
The blue field stands for the Alaska sky and the color of the forget-me-not, a flower associated with Alaska. It also evokes the feeling of looking up at the night sky—something every Alaskan can relate to.
Why is Benny Benson’s story important to Alaskans?
Benny’s life story—from early hardship and time at the Jesse Lee Home to designing the territorial flag—resonates deeply with Alaskans, especially Alaska Natives. His win came only a few years after Native Alaskans gained citizenship and the right to vote, making his achievement a powerful symbol of representation, resilience, and hope.
From History to Everyday Display
Understanding the history of the Alaska state flag adds another layer of meaning when you raise it on your pole at home, at a school, or outside a business. You’re not just flying a piece of fabric—you’re honoring a story that began with a young boy, an orphanage in Seward, and a night sky full of stars.
If you already own an Alaska flag, think about the last time you spotted the Big Dipper and North Star in the real sky. Did it feel different, knowing the story behind that design? And if you don’t have an Alaska flag yet, this might be the perfect time to add one to your pole or indoor display.
At Tidmore Flags, we carry Alaska state flags made in the USA in durable outdoor nylon and heavy-duty polyester, plus indoor pole-sleeve and gold-fringe options for schools, offices, and ceremonies. Pair your understanding of the flag’s history with a quality flag built to fly proudly in Alaska-style weather.
Question for you: The Alaska flag was created by a 13-year-old looking up at the night sky—if you were designing a flag for your own hometown, what symbols would you choose, and why?
