June 20, 2026 – Arkansas and West Virginia

Today, the flags of Arkansas and West Virginia fly in celebration of their admission to the Union on June 15, 1836 and June 20, 1863, respectively.

Arkansas

The Natural State was admitted as the 25th state on June 15, 1836.

Arkansas Code Annotated § 1-4-101(a) defines the state’s flag as, “(1)(A)The official state flag shall be a rectangle of red on which is placed a large white diamond, bordered by a wide band of blue on which are twenty-five (25) white stars; (B) Across the diamond shall be the word “ARKANSAS” and four (4) blue stars, with one (1) star above and three (3) stars below the word “ARKANSAS”; (C) The star above the word “ARKANSAS” shall be below the upper corner of the diamond; (D) The three (3) stars below the word “ARKANSAS” shall be placed so that one (1) star shall be above the lower corner of the diamond and two (2) stars shall be placed symmetrically, parallel above and to the right and left of the star in the lower corner of the diamond; (2) The colors used for the official state flag shall be the same as those used on the United States flag, specifically to include: (A) Old Glory Red or its equivalent; and (B) Old Glory Blue or its equivalent.”

The flag as officially adopted on February 16, 1913 and has been modified in 1923, 1924, and 2011.

West Virginia

The Mountain State was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863 as the 35th state. It separated from Virginia and was one of two states admitted during the Civil War.

Senate Joint Resolution 18, adopted on March 7, 1829, defines the flag as follows, “According to the West Virginia Legislature, “The proportions of the flag of the State of West Virginia shall be the same as those of the United States ensign; the field shall be pure white, upon the center of which shall be emblazoned in proper colors, the coat-of arms of the State of West Virginia upon which appears the date of the admission of the State into the Union, also with the motto, ‘Montani Semper Liberi’ (Mountaineers Are Always Free). Above the coat-of-arms of the State of West Virginia there shall be a ribbon lettered, ‘State of West Virginia,’ and arranged appropriately around the lower part of the coat-of-arms of the State of West Virginia a wreath of Rhododendron maximum in proper colors. The field of pure white shall be bordered by a strip of blue on four sides. The flag of the State of West Virginia when used for parade purposes shall be trimmed with gold colored fringe on three sides and when used on ceremonial occasions with the United States ensign, shall be trimmed and mounted in similar fashion to the United States flag as regards fringe, cord, tassels, and mounting.”