Minnesota Statehood: May 11, 1858, and the 2024 Flag

Minnesota became the 32nd state on May 11, 1858. The same calendar date carries another milestone: Minnesota's new state flag became official on May 11, 2024. The two-blue design with a white eight-pointed star is the modern flag, not the older seal-centered version.

When is Minnesota's state birthday?

Minnesota's birthday is May 11, the anniversary of its admission in 1858. President James Buchanan approved the admission measure. The Minnesota Secretary of State's admission history explains that news reached St. Paul almost two weeks later, traveling the final stretch by Mississippi River steamboat. State officers took their oaths on May 24.

Why does Minnesota have two signed founding constitutions?

The 1857 constitutional convention split along party lines. Republican and Democratic delegates met separately, and a conference committee worked out a common framework. Delegates then signed separate copies rather than one document bearing both parties' signatures.

The Secretary of State's founding-documents history describes that unusual process and the October 13, 1857, vote approving the constitution. Approval of the state constitution preceded admission to the Union; it did not make October 13 the state's birthday.

What changed in Minnesota's flag in 2024?

The new flag became official on May 11, 2024, after the State Emblems Redesign Commission completed its work. The official flag description identifies a dark blue shape representing Minnesota's land, a white eight-pointed star associated with the North Star, and a bright blue field representing water.

The design developed from Andrew Prekker's submission, with changes made during the commission's process. The Secretary of State's May 2024 announcement confirms that the new flag was raised over the Capitol after the outgoing flag was retired.

Is the seal-centered Minnesota flag still the current design?

No. The Secretary of State identifies the previous design as the historic state flag, adopted in 1957 and retired on May 11, 2024. It remains part of Minnesota's history, but it should not be labeled as the current official flag.

How can you choose the right flag for a statehood display?

For a modern birthday celebration, look for the two-blue North Star design and verify the actual product image. For an exhibit about an earlier period, label the historical design and dates explicitly. Neither the 1957 flag nor the 2024 flag should be presented as the flag Minnesota used on admission day in 1858.

Explore Minnesota flags and other state birthdays

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

Sources and further reading

Oct 24th 2026 Taylor S.

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