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Alaska's Flag
& Song
Flag designed by
Benny Benson, a 13 year old
boy, in 1926
Flag adopted by the Legislature on May 2, 1927.
Alaska's State song was written by Marie Drake
(an employee of the Alaska Department of Education)
and first appeared as a poem in 1925.
Set to music by Elinor Dusenbury, whose husband was commander of
Chilkoot Barracks at Haines from 1933 to 1936.
Adopted by the Territorial Legislature in 1955.
Eight
stars of gold on a field of blue
Alaska's flag may it mean to you,
the blue of the sea, the evening sky,
the mountain lakes, and the flow'rs nearby,
the gold of the early sourdough's dreams,
the precious gold of the hills and streams,
the brilliant stars in the northern sky,
the "Bear" - the "Dipper" - and, shining high,
the great North Star with its steady light,
over land and sea a beacon bright,
Alaska's flag - to Alaskans dear,
the simple flag of a last frontier.
Here is a proposed second verse that the 2002 State
Legislature considered adding. As far as we know, it has not happened.
A
Native lad chose the Dipper's stars
For Alaska's flag that there be no bars
Among our cultures. Be it known
Through years the Natives' past has grown
To share life's treasures, hand in hand,
To keep Alaska our Great Land;
We love the northern, midnight sky,
The mountains, lakes, and streams nearby.
The great North Star with its steady light
Will guide all cultures, clear and bright,
With nature's flag to Alaskans dear,
The simple flag of the last frontier. |
Copyright © 1985, University of Alaska Foundation, All rights Reserved
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