Kentucky Statehood: June 1, 1792, and Its Flag

Kentucky became the 15th state on June 1, 1792. It entered the Union after separating from Virginia, following years of discussion over creating a new state. The official Kentucky flag dates to 1918; its central seal has a much older connection to the first year of statehood.

Kentucky state flag with its state emblem, Commonwealth of Kentucky lettering and goldenrod.
FORTISVEX catalog illustration of the modern Kentucky state flag. The flag design is separate from the statehood date.

When is Kentucky's state birthday?

Kentucky's statehood anniversary is June 1. The U.S. Senate's Kentucky timeline identifies June 1, 1792, as admission day. Legislation consenting to the new state's creation had been signed on February 4, 1791, but the admission took effect the following year.

How did Kentucky separate from Virginia?

Kentucky had been part of Virginia rather than an independent federal territory. The statehood movement sought a separate government, and a series of conventions in Danville worked through the issues. The tenth convention, held in April 1792, drafted Kentucky's first constitution.

The Kentucky Legislative Research Commission's constitutional history describes both institutional changes and the limits of that founding document. It provided for voting by ballot and population-based legislative representation, while also protecting slavery. Statehood created a new government without extending equal freedom to everyone living within its boundaries.

Is Kentucky one of the original thirteen states?

No. Kentucky was the 15th state. Its June 1 anniversary commemorates admission, not the original ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Kentucky's own first constitution was adopted in 1792; the state later adopted constitutions in 1799, 1850 and 1891, as outlined by the Kentucky General Assembly.

When was the Kentucky flag adopted?

Kentucky approved its official state flag on March 26, 1918. The legislature's flag-history account describes a navy blue field carrying the state seal and goldenrod. The state flag specification places goldenrod below the seal and the words Commonwealth of Kentucky above it.

Who are the people on Kentucky's flag?

The seal represents two friends embracing. Its original 1792 wording did not name two historical individuals. The legislature's seal history shows how artists have depicted the pair differently over time. The accompanying motto, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall,” links the image to unity.

For a birthday exhibit, distinguish the three milestones: statehood in June 1792, the seal legislation in December 1792, and the official flag in 1918. A modern flag is a later symbol of the Commonwealth, not an artifact from its admission day.

Explore Kentucky flags and other state birthdays

For a statehood display, compare the sizes, materials and mounting options in our Kentucky state flag collection. For more anniversary dates, visit the U.S. state birthday calendar.

Sources and further reading

Oct 24th 2026 Sabrina C.

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