Benny Benson - Alaska's Flag
John
Ben "Benny" Benson was 13 when he created the flag for the Territory of
Alaska in 1927.
Benson looked to the sky, choosing the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) and the
North Star for his symbols. He described his choices: "The blue field is for
the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaska Flower. The North Star is
for the future state of Alaska, the most northerly of the union. The dipper
is for the Great Bear symbolizing strength." His sentiments are echoed in
the state song.
His design was favored over about 700 entries from schoolchildren around
the state. Many of the other entries had variations on polar bears, gold
pans, the state seal, the midnight sun,
or northern lights. Until his flag
was chosen, Alaskans had flown only the U.S. flag since the territory was
purchased from Russia in 1867. The Territory of Alaska became a state in
1959.
For his feat, Benson won an engraved watch and $1,000. The original flag,
made of blue silk and appliquéd gold stars, was first flown July 9, 1927.
Benson was part Russian-Aleut and part Swedish. He was born at Chignik,
grew up at the Jesse Lee Home in Unalaska and later in Seward, and spent
most of his adult life in Kodiak, where he worked for Kodiak Airways. He had
two daughters and several stepchildren and grandchildren. He died on July 2,
1972.
If you visit Seward, you can find the Benny Benson Memorial at Mile 1.4
of the Seward Highway.
Information source, Anchorage Daily News.
