The State Flag was made in a contest by kids to see who could do the best flag. In 1926 Benny Benson, a seventh grader, won and the legislature liked it . The legislature liked it so much they adopted it and it became the flag of the Territory of Alaska on May 2, 1927. Alaska was proclaimed the 49th state of the union on January 3, 1959. The flag was first flown over the capital of Alaska on July 4, 1959 and Benny Benson proudly led a parade.