Flag of Missouri

What the flag looks like

Three equal horizontal stripes of red, white and blue, with the state coat of arms in the center inside a blue ring of 24 white stars.

What it means

The 24 stars show that Missouri was the 24th state; the two grizzly bears holding the shield stand for strength and bravery.

How to remember it

Missouri is a red-white-blue tricolor with two grizzly bears holding a shield in the middle, ringed by 24 stars.

Fun facts

• It was designed by Marie Elizabeth Watkins Oliver and adopted in 1913.
• The Roman numerals MDCCCXX under the arms give 1820, the year Missouri's constitution was written.

Missouri at a glance

Nickname

The Show-Me State

Statehood

1821

Capital

Jefferson City

Region

West North Central

Population

6.2 million

Area

180,540 km²

Flag adopted

1913

Flags often confused with Missouri

• Netherlands: The Netherlands and Missouri are both red, white and blue horizontal stripes. The Netherlands is plain; Missouri has a coat of arms with two grizzly bears ringed by 24 stars.
• Luxembourg: Luxembourg and Missouri are both red, white and blue horizontal stripes. Luxembourg is plain with a light blue bottom stripe; Missouri has a coat of arms ringed by 24 stars in the center.