New York Flag History: The Story Behind the 2020 Update

The New York flag carries a long history in a surprisingly small space. Its central artwork reaches back to the Revolutionary era, while a second line of lettering reflects a much more recent change. If you have seen two New York flags with different wording, that difference deserves a closer look.

The artwork came before today’s flag

The New York State Library dates the adoption of the state’s device of arms to 1778 and describes the present flag as a modern version of a Revolutionary War flag. That is an important distinction: the age of the central artwork is not the adoption date of every detail visible on a modern flag. Source: New York State Library.

A coat of arms, a state seal and a state flag serve different purposes. A flag gives the emblem a fabric field for display. New York’s current statutory description specifies a blue field carrying the state arms. The Great Seal has its own surrounding wording and official function. Calling every version simply “the seal” can make historical comparisons confusing. State Law Section 70; Section 73.

What changed in 2020?

The added phrase was E pluribus unum, meaning “Out of many, one.” It joined Excelsior, or “Ever upward,” rather than replacing it. The New York court system identifies 2020 as the year the secondary motto was adopted. Source: New York State Unified Court System.

The current legal description places Excelsior on the first line and E pluribus unum on the second. The basic blue-field composition remains recognizable, so the lettering is an especially useful detail when comparing a current product photograph with an older image.

Three checks before you choose your flag

• Check the artwork. Enlarge the image and look at the wording beneath the shield. A historical photograph should not be your only reference for a current purchase.
• Check the dimensions. A close-up can make a small flag look imposing. Compare the listed height and length with your actual display space.
• Check the heading. Your mounting system needs the right attachment style; appearance alone does not establish fit.

Bring the history into your display

For a compact starting point, view the FORTISVEX 2×3 New York flag. For more fabric area, compare the FORTISVEX 3×5 New York flag. Use the product details to choose the size and attachment arrangement that suit your location, then let New York’s familiar blue flag tell its story.

For a larger display with appropriately rated equipment, compare the 10×15 New York flag and 12×18 New York flag. Both use nylon with rope-and-thimble headings and a center grommet; confirm the dimensions and connections against your equipment specifications.