2011 First-Class Forever Stamp,Flags of Our Nation: Ohio

U.S. #4314
2011 44¢ Ohio

Flags of Our Nation

Issue Date: August 11, 2011
City: Columbus, Ohio
Printed By: Sennett Security Products

Printing Method: Photogravure
Color: multicolored

Flags of Our Nation, Set V: The Flags of Our Nation stamps issued in 2011 is the fifth group of the series. The stamps show historic state flags, as well as a “snapshot” image that shares some of each state’s character.

 The Pan-American Exposition was scheduled to take place in Buffalo, New York, but the Buckeye State did not have a flag to fly over the Ohio building. After almost a century without its own banner, John Eisenmann’s design was proudly displayed at the Expo and adopted as the state flag on May 9, 1902.

Ohio has the only state flag in the U.S. that is not rectangular. It was fashioned after the cavalry flags of the Civil War. The blue triangle represents the hills and valleys of the state. The stripes represent the roads and waterways that were so important to the founding and growth of this area.

Five stripes indicate Ohio was one of the five states that made up the Northwest Territory. The 17 stars represent the states in the union at the time; 13 are separated to honor the original colonies. The large “O” is not only the first letter in Ohio, but it represents the round nut of the buckeye tree for which the state is nicknamed.

From the wagon trails and Ohio River waterways to the superhighways, people have traveled to the hills and valleys to make Ohio their home. The rich history of the Buckeye State and its flag is a source of pride for its residents.