Adopted in 1905, admitted to the Union 1889, as the 41st state. The official flag contains a reproduction of the Great Seal of the State in color on a field of deep blue, with gold fringe along the upper and lower borders. Although the flag was carried in the Philippines by the Montana Volunteers in the Spanish-American War in 1898, official action did not come from Montana Legislators until the session of 1904. The original hand-made banner carried by the First Montana Volunteers in the Spanish-American War is preserved by the Historical Society of Montana. The words "First Montana Infantry, U.S.V." are embroidered in white over the multi-colored Great Seal.