North Carolina State Flag

Date adopted: Jun 24, 1991

The flag of North Carolina, often referred to as the North Carolina flag or North Star, has a rich historical background. It was officially adopted during the state constitutional convention of 1861 when North Carolina voted to join the Confederacy. The original design featured a red field with a white star at the center, along with the dates May 20, 1775 (the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence) and May 20, 1861 (the date of secession) inscribed above and below the star, respectively, as well as blue and white bars. In 1885, the flag was modified, replacing the red field with blue, creating the first and only flag representing North Carolina as part of the United States. The flag's current design, adopted in 1991, specifies that the total length of the flag should be one-half more than its width, adjusting the proportions defined in the 1885 act. This flag holds historical significance and symbolizes North Carolina's role in the Civil War and its commitment to the United States.