U.S. #4291
Flags of Our Nation
Iowa
Issue Date: September 2, 2008
City: Washington, DC
During World War II, a troop of Iowans stationed along the Mexican border expressed an interest in carrying a banner to identify their origins. When Governor William L. Harding ordered that a banner be sent to the troops, he quickly discovered that Iowa did not have a flag. With the help of the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Iowa held a design contest in search of a flag design. The winning design, by Mrs. Dixie Gebhardt, was selected on May 11, 1917. Gebhardt’s design featured an eagle on a white stripe between a red stripe (for courage) and a blue stripe (for loyalty, justice, and truth). The state name is written below the eagle in red, to symbolize the sacrifices of the men who went to war.
The Iowa State Capitol was constructed between 1871 and 1886. Built on the same grounds that housed the first building for 35 years, the Iowa State Capitol is the only five-domed state capitol in the country.
Iowa adopted its state motto, “Our Liberties We Prize, Our Rights We Will Maintain,” in 1847 as part of the great seal. The motto is likely a response to the difficulties that state had establishing statehood.
The Iowa State Flag stamp is part of the 2008 Flags of Our Nation Series.