Wisconsin History Day By Day

Related Web Sites:

Read More About It

"How Proudly They Wave: Flags of the Fifty States" by Rita D. Haban

"Flags of the Civil War" by Philip Katcher

Vocabulary:

adopted

banner

coat of arms

federal

Interesting Fact:

It wasn't until 1979 when the word "Wisconsin" and the date "1848" were added to the state flag to distinguish it from other state flags that were similar in color and design.

Study Questions:

Did Wisconsin have a flag prior to 1863?

Why was a flag important to the troops during the Civil War?

What is the "coat of arms?"

U.S. historical events that occurred on March 17:

1776: British forces leave Boston during the Revolutionary War.

1969: Former Milwaukee native, Golda Meir, was elected prime minister of Israel.

March 17

March 17, 1863: The state flag was adopted by the Legislature so Wisconsin regiments in the Civil War would have a banner. The state coat of arms appeared on one side of the dark blue flag while the federal coat of arms appeared on the other side.

Wisconsin History Day By Day homepage January - December calendar page

March 17, 1863: The state flag was adopted by the Legislature so Wisconsin regiments in the Civil War would have a banner. The state coat of arms appeared on one side of the dark blue flag while the federal coat of arms appeared on the other side.