A sky blue field with a version (in navy blue on white) of the state seal in the center, surrounded by gold triangles representing the sun's rays, surrounded in turn by inscriptions in gold sans-serif capitals of "south dakota" on top and "the mount rushmore state" (the state nickname) on the bottom.
The flag of South Dakota represents the U.S. state of South Dakota. It consists of a field of sky blue charged with a version (in navy blue on white) of the state seal in the center, surrounded by gold triangles representing the sun's rays, surrounded in turn by inscriptions in gold sans-serif capitals of "south dakota" on top and "the mount rushmore state" (the state nickname) on the bottom. The sun represents the common weather in South Dakota. The inscription on the bottom was "the sunshine state" before it was changed in 1992.
Flag pledge
The official pledge of the South Dakota flag is "I pledge loyalty and support to the flag and state of South Dakota, land of sunshine, land of infinite variety." The only protocol to the state flag pledge is that it does not either replace or preempt the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States.[1]
Original flag
1909-1963
1963-1992
The original flag of South Dakota consisted of a dominant sun encircled by the text "South Dakota" and "The Sunshine State". The 1909 statute stated:[2]
The Flag of South Dakota shall consist of a field of blue, one and two-thirds as long as it is wide, in the center of which shall be a blazing sun in gold, two-fifths as wide in diameter as the width of the flag. Above this sun shall be arranged in the arc of the circle, in gold letters, the words 'South Dakota' and below this sun in the arc of the circle shall be arranged the words in gold letters, 'The Sunshine State', and on the reverse of the blazing sun shall be printed in dark blue the Great Seal of the State Of South Dakota. The edges of the flag shall be trimmed with a fringe of gold, to be in proportion to the width of the flag. The staff shall be surmounted by a spearhead to which shall be attached cord and tassels of suitable length and size.
Redesign proposals
2012
Proposed flag of South Dakota from 2012, designed by Dick Termes
In January 2012, Representative Bernie Hunhoff sponsored a bill to adopt a new design for the state flag based on artwork by Dick Termes of Spearfish, South Dakota.[3] Hunhoff introduced the bill on January 25, 2012; it was referred to the State Affairs committee.[4] On February 6,[4] the bill was amended to create the South Dakota State Flag Commission, which would have solicited submissions from the public for new flag designs and selected one to be considered by the 2013 legislature as the new state flag.[5] Immediately after being amended, the bill was "deferred to the 41st legislative day".[4] Since the South Dakota legislative session is only 40 days long, this type of deferral effectively kills legislation.[6]
2024
In January 2024, another bill that would have created a South Dakota state flag design commission was killed in the same manner to the 2012 proposal.[7]
^ abcCichos, Sue. "House Bill 1235". Home » Legislative_Session » Bills » 2012 Session - Bill History. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
^Cichos, Sue. "Amendment for Printed Bill 1235ta". Home » Legislative_Session » Bills » 2012. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
1909-1963
1963-1992
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