The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been represented by official but limited-purpose flags since 1676, though until 1908 it had no state flag per se to represent its government. A variant of the white flag with blue seal was carried by each of the Massachusetts volunteer regiments during the American Civil War alongside the National Colors. An exception were the two "Irish regiments" (the 9th and 28th Volunteers), each of which was permitted to carry an alternative green flag with a harp symbol.
In early 2021, then-Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill to change the state flag and seal. As of 2022, the redesign was not complete and the commission asked to extend the deadline to 2023.[citation needed] In 2023 the commission concluded without recommending specific replacements for either flag or seal, though the commission's co-chair Brian Boyles stated that he and his colleagues had made significant progress on the issue.[2]
Above the shield is the state military crest: the bent arm holding a broadsword aloft. The sword has its blade up, to remind that it was through the American Revolution that liberty was won. The sword itself is a copy of one belonging to Myles Standish[5] and signifies the philosophy that one would rather lose their right arm than live under tyranny.[citation needed][6]
The state flag was officially adopted in 1907, but had been used unofficially since the American Revolutionary War as the ensign of the Massachusetts State Navy. In 1971, the earlier pine tree was replaced by the current design.[7]
Attempts to change the flag
On January 11, 2021, Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill establishing a commission to change the state flag and seal by October 1, 2021 that will "faithfully reflect and embody the historic and contemporary commitments of the Commonwealth to peace, justice, liberty and equality and to spreading the opportunities and advantages of education."[10] The bill was previously approved by the Massachusetts Senate on July 28, 2020.[11] The Special Commission on Massachusetts Flag and Seal (Special Commission to Investigate the Features of the Official Seal and Motto of the Commonwealth) first met in July 2021.[12] In April 2022 the Commission voted to ask the state legislature to extend the deadline for completion of the Commission's work to March 31, 2023[13]In May 2022, the Commission recommended changing the seal, motto, and flag,[14] however the Commission failed to agree upon a proposal. With lawmakers not having extended the deadline past December 31, 2022, and the Commission's own deadline having expired at the end of March 2023, as well as UMass Amherst polling showing lukewarm support for a change, the issue appears to be closed for the present time.[15]
Variant of the New England variant of the red ensign, redesigned to incorporate the Union Flag. In use 1708–1775.
Flag of New England with the British symbols removed from the canton.[18] In use as a flag of New England 1775–present.
This Pine Tree Flag variant was the first flag adopted by the State of Massachusetts after independence. In use from 1775–1780 as the state flag, and until 1971 as the official Massachusetts naval flag.
Reverse side of the flag of Massachusetts from 1908–1971.
^"2001 State/Provincial Flag Survey - NAVA.org" (PDF). nava.org.
^"Commission to rethink state seal and motto concludes with no specific proposal for either". 14 November 2023.
^"History". 26 November 2018.
^CIS: Latin Translation
^Seal of the Commonwealth
^CIS: State Symbols,
^CIS: State Symbols
^Spencer Buell (21 September 2022). "How did an image of a fake Massachusetts flag end up in a brochure for Martha's Vineyard migrants?". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
^"'Baffles me': Man's redesigned Massachusetts state flag put on pamphlets given to migrants". WCVB. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
^Governor Baker Signs the Bill Establishing a Special Commission to Change the Mass Flag and Seal
^"Mass. Senate OK's bill reviewing controversial state seal, flag". www.boston.com. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
^"After Six Month Delay, Special Commission on Massachusetts Flag and Seal to Meet Monday, July 19th". Change the Mass Flag. 2021-07-17. Archived from the original on Dec 2, 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
^Reilly, Adam (19 April 2022). "Commission to review Mass. state seal and motto struggling to get the job done". WGBH. Retrieved 14 May 2022.