Editing Flag of Minnesota (section)

{{Short description|U.S. state flag}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox flag
| Name = State of Minnesota
| Article = 
| Image = Flag of Minnesota.svg
| Nickname = 
| Use = 110000
| Symbol = 
| Proportion = 3:5
| Adoption = {{start date and age|2024|5|11}}
| Design = A light blue field with a dark blue obtuse angular figure on the hoist bearing a white eight-pointed star
| Designer = {{plainlist|
* Andrew Prekker (base design)
* Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission (final design)<ref>{{Cite web |title=SERC – Next Minnesota State Flag |url=https://www3.mnhs.org/next-minnesota-state-flag |access-date=December 19, 2023 |website=www3.mnhs.org |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113234729/https://www3.mnhs.org/next-minnesota-state-flag |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
| Noborder2 = <!-- Leave blank for rectangular flag; for non-rectangular flag, type "yes". -->
}}
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The [[Flags of the U.S. states and territories|state flag]] of the U.S. state of [[Minnesota]] consists of a dark blue field representing the night sky and the state's shape, an eight-pointed star representing the [[North Star]], and a bright blue field representing the state's abundant waters; the star is based on one prominently featured in the [[Minnesota State Capitol]] rotunda.

Since its inception in 1893, the '''flag of Minnesota''' has had four official designs.  Of these, the first three included [[Seal of Minnesota#History|the then state seal]], depicting an [[American pioneer]] plowing land while a indigenous warrior rides past him on horseback. Initially created for the 1893 [[World's Columbian Exposition]], the first flag featured a white obverse side with the state seal surrounded by [[Cypripedium reginae|moccasin flowers]], while the reverse was solid blue.<ref name="flag origin"/> The design incorporated significant dates and the state motto, "[[L'Étoile du Nord]]." The flag was modified with a major redesign in 1957 that standardized the color to royal blue on both sides, and simplified the central design for cost-effectiveness and durability.

In 1983, it underwent another redesign to update the state seal and lighten the blue field. This version of the flag retained the circular arrangement of stars and the state's name but faced criticism over its complexity, similarity to other state flags, and its depiction of Minnesota's history. These criticisms, particularly concerns about the depiction of Indigenous peoples and compliance with [[vexillological]] standards, led to calls for a redesign.<ref name="2020 opinion2">{{cite web |last=Grindy |first=Mark |date=July 3, 2020 |title=Racist state flags need to go — Minnesota's is next |url=https://www.startribune.com/racist-state-flags-need-to-go-minnesota-s-is-next/571607322 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210082047/https://www.startribune.com/racist-state-flags-need-to-go-minnesota-s-is-next/571607322/ |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref name="News Tribune 2022"/><ref name="Pioneers" />

In 2022, the [[Minnesota Legislature]] established the State Emblems Redesign Commission to propose new designs for the state flag and seal. After extensive public input and deliberation, the commission selected the current flag design in December 2023. This new design was officially adopted on May 11, 2024. The flag has been praised by vexillologists<ref name="ted kaye"/> and members of the public for its simplicity and distinctiveness. It has also been criticized, largely on partisan grounds, and for its plainness, and it faced opposition from rural counties. This flag change occurred amid a series of other U.S. states changing [[Flags of the U.S. states and territories|their flags]] in the 21st century.<ref name="states-trend">{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Mitch |last2=Almukhtar |first2=Sarah |title=How States Are Threading the Needle on Flag Design |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/17/us/us-state-flag-design.html |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 17, 2023 |archive-date=October 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010030145/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/17/us/us-state-flag-design.html |url-status=live }}</ref>