Catalog

Year Adopted: 1909

New Hampshire was one of the thirteen original colonies to declare independence in 1776. It included the area that later became the state of Vermont in 1808. It was the first colony to adopt its own constitution, and the ninth state to ratify the National Constitution.

New Hampshire did not officially adopt a state flag until 1909. Prior to that, New Hampshire had numerous regimental flags to represent the state. The flag has only been changed once, in 1931 when the state's seal was modified. The state seal was first created in 1775, was revised in 1784 and again in 1931.

The body of the flag is national blue. The center of the flag has the state’s seal with the frigate Raleigh -- all surrounded by laurel leaves and nine stars, and encircling the field is the inscription, SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. The Raleigh one of the first 13 warships sponsored by the Continental Congress for a new American navy. (ref; nh.gov, New Hampshire Almanac, State Flag, State Seal)