The Nevada flag has a simple design compared to some of the other state flags. However, it still manages to accurately represent some of the state’s history.
Nevada’s nickname is the “Silver State” because of the importance of silver in the state. Furthermore, the wreath is made from sagebrush which is the state flower.
In this article, we will be describing the History of the Nevada flag!
How is Nevada Described?
Nevada, located in the western United States, has no access to the ocean. Despite its reputation as a desert, the area is home to multiple mountain ranges, including a chunk of the Sierra Nevada.
Boundary Peak, located in the White Mountains, stands at an impressive 13,147 feet, making it the highest point in the state.
Because the Sierra Nevada mountains get so covered with snow in the winter, the state of Nevada gets its name from the Spanish word for snowy.
Many indigenous American peoples have called Nevada home throughout history. In the 1770s, the Spanish adventurer Francisco Garcés arrived as the first European explorer.
At first, Nevada was a part of the Spanish Empire and was annexed by Spain. However, after the 1821 Mexican War of Independence, it was annexed by Mexico.
After the Mexican-American War ended in 1848, the United States gained control of the territory. After this, Nevada was incorporated into the Utah Territory.
In contrast, the area’s population exploded once silver was discovered at Comstock Lode in 1859. The decision to establish Nevada as a separate territory was made in 1861.
In 1864, when its population was barely over 10,000, Nevada became the 36th state of the United States.
This was a lot lower than the customary threshold for a region to become a state, which was around 60,000 people. There were two main factors at play here.
One argument was that the already industrialized Union could use a lift from Nevada’s substantial mining industry.
The second was that many believed that including Nevada would boost Abraham Lincoln’s chances of being re-elected the following week.
Read also: Montana Flag: Description, History, and Symbolism
What is the History of the Nevada Flag?
In 1905, Governor John Sparks and Col. Harry Day designed the first Nevada flag. The gold and silver found in Nevada were crucial to its success.
The blue of the Nevada flag was taken straight from the design of the American flag. The present flag was created as the result of a 1926 design competition.
Since the two chambers of the state legislature couldn’t agree on where to put the word “Nevada” on the flag, the winning design by Louis Shellback III was revised.
After some negotiation, Governor Fred B. Balzar in 1929 signed a bill into law that officially adopted the new flag.
However, in 1989, a legislative researcher found that the signed document did not fully reflect the 1929 legislative agreement that had been provided with the bill.
The letters E, V, A, D, and A, written in the spaces between the star’s points, spelt out “Nevada” from the “N” at the top.
Legislation passed in 1991 mandated the inclusion of the phrase “Nevada” below the star and above the sagebrush sprays, resulting in the current design.
Read also: Kansas Flag: History, Description, and Symbol
What is the History of the Previous Nevada Flags?
Nevada has had three previous state flags since its statehood in 1864. Ten years passed between 1905 and 1915, during which time the original flag created by Governor John Sparks and Colonel Harry Day was flown.
The design included rows of silver and gold five-pointed stars separated by the words “silver, Nevada, and gold” on a dark blue background.
Since Nevada was the 36th state to join the Union, the flag displayed 36 stars. The state’s name and flag’s colour scheme pays homage to the abundant silver and gold deposits discovered there.
Again, Clara Crisler used 36 stars on the second flag, this time in gold and silver. There were stars, of course, but also the state seal, the name of the state, and the motto “All for our country” in the centre.
Images of mining equipment and farmland were among those depicted on Nevada’s official seal. Even though it was flown until 1929, several people complained that the design was too complicated.
The third flag, designed by Louis Shellback III, was declared the winner of a contest in 1926. However, it was not implemented until 1929 because state officials decided to alter certain parts of it.
The words “battle born” were written in silver script over a five-pointed star surrounded by a sagebrush wreath on the hoist side. Additionally, the state’s name was put in a ring around the star.
The letter “N” occupied the highest, most central point of the star, with the remaining letters arranged clockwise around it in the gaps between the points.
Read also: Indiana Flag: History, Description, and Symbolism
Where To Buy the Nevada Flag?
Conclusion
Flags have been used to symbolize communities, political factions, and even dynasties for thousands of years. At first sight, these symbols of varying hues may seem meaningless, but they often convey important messages.
The flag of Nevada is blue with a white version of the state insignia in the top left corner. Thank you for reading, and do not relent to click that share button!
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