Summary
The current flag of Billings, Montana, United States, is a "Canadian-like" triband of very dark blue and white with the city seal on the central white panel. The seal shows the Billings skyline line-drawn in blue, with a red disc representing the sun. The seal is outlined in blue with the text "Star of the Big Sky Country" in red capitals.[1] It was designed by Fernando Méndez and adopted in June 1986.
 | |
| Proportion | 3:5[1] |
|---|---|
| Adopted | June 1986 |
| Design | A blue and white tricolor containing a logo-style seal in the middle. |
| Designed by | Fernando Méndez |
History edit
On February 3, 1986, the Billings city council approved a citywide contest to design a new flag and seal with a $500 prize for each with a deadline set for May 15.[2][3] The two contests drew 66 total entries and were won by Fernando Méndez,[1] an immigrant from the Philippines who worked part-time as an art director for a local advertising firm. He was paid $1,000 for his work and the flag was adopted by the city government.[4]
In 2004, the North American Vexillological Association conducted an internet survey of 150 city flags across the US. Billings' flag ranked 106th place out of 150 flags. It received 3.35 points on a 0-10 scale, or D+ rating.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b c Purcell, John M.; Croft, James A.; Monahan, Rich (2003). American City Flags: 150 Flags from Akron to Yonkers (PDF). North American Vexillological Association. pp. 36–37. ISBN 978-0-9747728-0-6. OCLC 1011001515. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- ^ Gaub, Dennis (February 4, 1986). "Dairy gets OK to buy city land". The Billings Gazette. p. A5. Retrieved February 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Seal, flag contest begins". The Billings Gazette. March 27, 1986. p. C5. Retrieved February 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gaub, Dennis (June 5, 1986). "Newcomer wins city seal contest". The Billings Gazette. p. C1. Retrieved February 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Nava - American City Flags Survey Press Release". Archived from the original on 2011-08-30. Retrieved 2011-05-19.
