Happy Birthday Alaska!

The Flag of the State of Alaska consists of eight gold stars, forming the Big Dipper and the North Star, on a dark blue field.

It was designed in 1927 by Benny Benson, a 13-year-old Alaska Native residing in Seward, for a contest to create a flag for the then-Alaska Territory. Up to that time, Alaskans had flown only the U.S. flag since the territory was purchased from Russia in 1867. Benson's design was chosen over roughly 700 other submissions from schoolchildren territory-wide in grades 7–12. Most other entries featured variations on the territorial seal, the midnight sun, the northern lights, polar bears, and/or gold pans. To celebrate his achievement, Benson was awarded $1,000 and an engraved watch. Benny looked to the sky for the symbols he included in his design, and he submitted this description with it:

“	The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaskan flower. The North Star is for the future state of Alaska, the most northerly in the union. The Dipper is for the Great Bear—symbolizing strength.

On the morning of Fourth of July while celebrating the Independence of the nation, I also spent the time wishing Alaska a happy 50th birthday! 50 years ago on January 3, 1959, Alaska became a state. On this past fourth of July was a flag raising ceremony from the US flag of 48 stars to one with 49. It was a moving experience and I am glad I had a chance to witness it and wish the state a happy 50 years of Statehood! Besides the flag raising, there was a native Alaskan killer whale dance from Kake preformed and a Filipino dance. They both were awesome. The Alaska state song was sung and the bell was rung. The same man who rung the bell 50 years ago! The first Ms Alaska was there as well. It was quite a celebration!

Alaska's Flag
Written by Marie Drake
Composed by Elinor Dusenbury

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.

The fourth was fun. After the flag ceremony my friend Lynn and I grabbed the camp chairs for the yearly fourth of July parade! This was my FIRST year going! It was quite a show and fun. I saw a TON of people that I know and was able to talk to lots of people. After sitting n traffic to get back to the valley and taking a rest and recovering from the heat, Lynn a lady she visits and myself went and they rode and I went into nature and walked the Herbert glacier trail. It was nice, but long. The "skeeters" were out so stopping to take a drink was NOT an option! It was a great day!