The Flag of Montana was adopted in 1905 and the word “Montana” was added in 1981. In 1985, the flag was modified again to specify the font used for “Montana.” Prior to its use as the state flag, it was used by Montana troops deploying to the Spanish/American War.
The flag has a dark blue background/ensign with a seal in the middle of the flag. The seal has a plow, shovel, and pick rest in a field in front of the Great Falls of the Missouri River. The ribbon on the seal contains the state motto, “Oro y Plata” (Gold and Silver). The flag can have a gold fringe on the top and bottom edges. The seal represents some of Montana’s beautiful scenery and reflects the pioneering history of the state. The tools represent Montana’s mining and farming both in the past and present.
The following information was excerpted from the Montana Code Annotated 2005, Title 1, Chapter 1, Part 5.
TITLE 1. GENERAL LAWS AND DEFINITIONS.
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
Part 5. State Symbols — Official Designations.
1-1-502. State flag. There is hereby established a state flag of Montana. The state flag of Montana shall be a flag having a blue field with a representation of the great seal of the state in the center and with golden fringe along the upper and lower borders of the flag; the same being the flag borne by the 1st Montana Infantry, U.S.V., in the Spanish-American War, with the exception of the device, “1st Montana Infantry, U.S.V.”; and above the great seal of the state shall be the word “MONTANA” in helvetica bold letters of gold color equal in height to one-tenth of the total vertical measurement of the blue field.
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