Adopted in 1896. Official Color: Buff (yellow-tan). New Jersey is one of the thirteen original states and became the third state to ratify the Constitution in 1787. The state flag State flag displays the official State colors. The State seal is presented in Jersey blue on a buff background. The colors were chosen by General George Washington in 1779, after he was headquartered in New Jersey during the Revolutionary war. These were the military colors used by the New Jersey troops.