Adopted in 1923. The flag of Washington State is dark green centered with the state seal. Washington State flags are produced double sided, meaning the seal reads correct on both sides. The state seal was designed in 1889 by Olympia jeweler Charles Talcott and consists of a facial image of George Washington on a blue background and encircled by a gold ring with black lettering reading "The Seal of the State of Washington 1889". (ref; leg.wa.gov, RCW 1.20.010, State Flag) After the Oregon Treaty resolved a border dispute with the British, the Oregon Territory was created by Congress in 1848 and included current day Washington state. In 1853 Oregon and Washington were split into separate territories. In 1889 Washington was admitted to the Union as the 42nd state.