As an Alaskan, I thought you might like to know our flag was designed by a 13 year old boy.

As a Washingtonian, I concur that our flag looks like someone turned the $1 bill into a flag.

As someone who's not American and therefore has no stakes in this game, I absolutely love these kinds of videos, they're so chill and wholesome. Every flag that comes up I give my opinion out loud and talk to Scott as if we were just a couple of friends hanging out. Absolutely love it!

I don’t really care about my state other than the usual “yeah this is where I am it’s nice I like it” but whenever Scott starts ranking states I’m immediately competitive

"we don't deserve Hawaii" literal understatement of the century

Scott, the pelican feeding her babies blood is an old, well known symbol. There was a myth back in the day that during famine, pelican mothers would cause themselves to bleed and feed her children the blood so they could survive. It ended up being a big symbol of Christ for Catholics especially because of the parallels with the Eucharist. If you ever go to the Cathedral's adoration chapel in Fargo, the round stained glass window is actually an image of this.

Here's the backstory on the Alaskan flag: Thirty-two years before Alaska became a state, the Alaska Department of the American Legion sponsored a territorial contest for Alaskan children from seventh grade to twelfth grade to design a flag for the then territory. In 1927, the contest committee chose Benny Benson's design, a fourteen-year-old orphan. Benny was a Qawalangin (Fox Islander) Unangan born to a Swedish-American father and Aleut-Russian mother. Benson's design was chosen over roughly 700 other submissions. He used the $1,000 prize from the flag design competition to enroll in the Hemphill Diesel Engineering School for Diesel engine repair. The blue field is for not just the Alaska sky but also the forget-me-not, the official flower of Alaska. The North Star for what would become the most northerly state in the Union, and the Big Dipper was chosen for its other name, Ursa Major or the Great Bear, symbolizing strength as bears are of course associated with Alaska.

As an Ohioan, I’m kind of let down that our flag didn’t make the “bonafide beauty” tier. It’s the only state flag that’s not a rectangle, and that’s a statement.

Utah has a new flag that really leans into the beehive thing. I think it’s pretty cool.

23:31 As an Ohio native...I LOVE the flag and it IS angled like that (not a rectangle) which makes it unique to all the other flags. The circle surrounded by the stars is suppose to represent both the O in Ohio and a buckeye. It's Definitely a bonafide beauty to me and not just because I live there.

As a Pennsylvanian, the immense pride I had when Scott fell in love with our flag was too much 😭

As a Virginian, I have to say I was shocked knowing Scott loved our flag and now will most likely be rocking our flag in my room now

Ohio's flag is a pennant, and it is indeed and dorm room stable, MAYBE even a bona-fide beauty! You have to remember the meme, "It's all Ohio?" "Always has been." We've already taken over, no one knows it.

the fact that Montana made it into bonafide beauty and Ohio didnt is unacceptable

As a native michigander, I will now be going by Sir Cum Spice

28:06 it’s funny that you mentioned a redesign with the Utah flag. They actually just had a redesign that leans into the whole honey bee thing. It looks way better! It goes into effect next year.

As an Oklahoma resident it makes me happy that our flag was one of your favorites. 💙 We may be a flawed state, but damn it if we don't have a pretty flag

I appreciate that you ranked our Mississippi flag so high. It was recently redesigned and I have been absolutely in love with it ever since.

Actually, the Utah flag was recently redesigned. I prefer the old one, but you should check out the new one for sure. It's very different.

When he gets to the Texas flag: “The Texas flag is…” Every Texan: Easy Scott

Yes, the Ohio flag is a pennant, the only state flag with that shape! When it isn't stuck inside a regular rectangle, the angles of the stripes don't look that strange.

I’m from Maryland and while our flag is ridiculous, we’re very proud of it. It… stands out 😂

As an Illinois resident. I have never seen our state flag before, and I am utterly appalled as to what they have flying for our flag.

That "horn" you keep seeing hanging from the hip of some characters on some flags is for storing gunpowder for their old-timey rifles.

I can't wait to see where oregon ends up! I hope you accounted for both sides of the flag! edit: I agree with the rating for the beaver on the back. It's a beauty

Florida: We copied Alabama's homework and wrote our name on it.

As a Marylander I liked this video just because you fuck with our flag (in a good way) and I appreciate that!

Mississippi really redeemed themselves. Imagine if it had been the previous flag. 👀

Thanks for making my Sunday better Scott❤Love from South Africa 🇿🇦

It's not often we're praised for something great, but to hear Scott say our peach colored flag was a "bonafide beauty", really brought a tear to my eye.

Dude, it's so funny, when it flashed to your editor, he was eating the same candy that I currently am! Very neat! 😂

i love how you started with "i dont need to apologize to the whole state, you guys will be fine" and still said sorry to basically all of them that you didnt like lmao

I know you said it was a trilogy, but IF you wanted to extend it to a quartet…it would be fun to rank state quarters!

You should rate the flags of each state's most populous city

As someone from Mississippi… I am so nervous if you are going to be looking at our old flag or new flag

Ohioan here; yes our flag is angled. That white bg jpeg did us dirty 😭

As a South Carolinian I’m proud we were in your favorites. The story behind the flag is also really cool. The moon is actually the crescent worn on the hats of revolutionary war soldiers, the blue is their uniform color. The original flag was just the crescent and blue and was used to warn if the British were nearby. The palmetto tree has a whole story behind it. The story goes that Fort Moultrie was built with palmetto tree trunks because it was unfinished at the time. They didn’t know that this was actually a good thing because when the British showed up and started cannonballing the fort, the soft logs caused the cannonballs to just bounce off.

Love Scott's perspective here. Very refreshing to see in regards to state flags. People these days are too critical of state flags imo, and all want the same boring hyper-minimalism for every state flag. I love the way to examine everything for what it is from a graphic design standpoint as well as just the aesthetic feel, and not some weird set of obscure "flag rules" like other people do. (Speaking as an appreciator of the Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania flags, which usually get too much undeservable slack) That being said, as an Ohioan, putting Montana above Ohio is an unforgivable sin and I hate you forever now

Mississippi- We just voted in that flag a few years ago! So we got to vote to pick out our favorite so I’m glad we did a good job! Lol although our previous flag contained the confederate flag so the bar was pretty low 🥴 but hey, we fixed it!

I love how in the drivers license video you loved the Oklahoma license mainly because it had our flag on it and now you’ve certified our flag a bonafide beauty! We may just be an ok state but our flag does kick ass! The symbol is an Osage war shield. Across it is a calumet (peace pipe) and olive branch symbolizing peace among all people (mainly the whites and natives lol).

As a Canadian, I would love to see you rank Canadian provinces flags.

Ohio's Flag is indeed tapered and it is EVERYWHERE in the state. Especially on older Colonial houses.

i want to know if he actually knows that the Utah flag was redesigned recently or if that was just an incredibly good guess

Brooo I have been waiting for this!!! Yesss But also.. Utah just redesigned their flag and its adorable.

Despite you thinking you fell victim to the popular sentiment, you actually had some interesting takes that go against the grain that I’ve seen at least. Did also appreciate the shoutout to JJ’s video because that was a cool one. And as a Marylander, thank you for recognizing and appreciating the Maryland flag ❤️ And also thank you for actually zooming in to check out the seals and logos more closely.

Regarding the DC flag: It is an armorial banner based on the coat of arms granted to Lawrence Washington (George Washington's 3rd great-grandfather) of Sulgrave Manor in Northamptonshire, England, in 1592. This coat of arms was used privately by the president in his home at Mount Vernon. The District Flag Commission was composed of three non-elected federally-appointed members: the president of the Board of Commissioners, the secretary of war and the secretary of the Navy. Since no local group was involved in the selection process, Washingtonians saw the flag as a symbol of their lack of representation, however they have since embraced it. Regarding the New Mexican flag: The flag was adopted in 1925 and highlights the Hispano and indigenous heritage of the state, with the sun symbol of the Zia people in the middle, with the colors of the flag of Spain. The symbol has sacred meaning to the Zia people. Four is a sacred number symbolizing the Circle of Life; the four directions, the four times of day, the four stages of life, and the four seasons. The circle binds these four elements of four together. During the San Diego World's Fair of 1915, they had to create an unofficial flag to be displayed with the other state flags, and the result was the American flag on the upper-left corner, the state seal on the bottom-right, and New Mexico in slanted big letters on a blue field.

Do Welcome signs next

I love the Arizona flag! It’s supposed to symbolize a sunset :)

"I always say that" sent me 😅

Scott completely misunderstanding sic semper tyrannis killed me

Omg, thank you for doing another state ranking video!! These are my favorite. 😭 Would you consider ranking state bird/flowers next?

These are my favorite videos of any of your channels. More tier lists!

I can't tell if Scott actually thought the Delaware guy's hand was his horn, or if he knew his hand was in his pocket and that horn was just his powder flask/horn, 😂. Wait, I just reached the Kentucky flag part. At least he knows now that wasn't the man's hand or a rhino horn, but it isnt for seeds though Scott. 😂, love the video man!

YOU HAVE A SECOND CHANNEL???? What an exciting discovery, thanks youtube recommendations!!

Ohio's flag is actually shaped like that, only one that has that unique shape

Honestly Scott's ranking of the state flags I found to be more insightful than 90% of flag discourse that takes place online

Scott is my favorite vexillologist

This is exactly what I'm looking for. I love your tier list videos!! You should do state seals next

Have no fear, Scott. Minnesota is changing their state flag soon 🙏🙌

as a kentuckian, i can confirm that it is easy to slice us in half. in fact, that's exactly what happened during the civil war.

South Carolina resident here, and I can confirm, we put the palmetto tree and crescent moon on EVERYTHING. You can’t shake a stick without finding some kind of tchotchke with that design on it here lol. I don’t mind though, we really got one of the best! (New Mexico and Alaska are the tops in my book though.)

You should definitely watch CGP Grey's video on this same topic, he took much more of a 'is this a good flag?' approach as opposed to 'do I like this?' and I find both approaches interesting.

Love to see my home state of New Mexico doing so well throughout these video rankings!

Arizona flag IS in fact a dorm room stable... especially BECAUSE, as you pointed out, one of the largest universities is here. Just walk around Arizona State University, you'll see it

I've been waiting for this one to drop for a long time, Scottie LETSSSGOOOOOOO 🔥🔥

Utah just redesigned the state flag and it looks so much better now!

You put the Maryland driver's license in top-tier wallet art because it had the flag, but the flag itself you put in as just second-tier dorm-room staple. No understand. It's a bonafide beauty!

As a South Carolinian our flag becomes even cooler when you realize that the palmetto tree was used in the Revolutionary war to block cannon balls. Glad you like it!

I think I feel the opposite way of all of Scott's opinions on these flags so I'm pretty sure we have to fight to the death now

Editor Cameo is hilarious 🤣🤣 Love from Wyoming!

I've watched a lot of these rankings, and every time i see something new.

Scott, thanks for keep up with this series it’s one of my faves that you do! The Motto of the Virginia State Flag translates to Thus Always the Tyrants which yeah roughly translates to throwing out tyrannical governments which fun fact that’s what John Wilkes Booth shouted after he assassinated President Lincoln

I was shocked to see the flag for Maine. The original pine tree and star flag is seen everywhere there and I didn’t realize it wasn’t the official one anymore. I was excited to see Scott’s reaction to that one, it’s one of my favorites.

As a Minnesotan who has never seen the state flag I wish it stayed that way.

What the heck, Scott? Indiana has not gotten a lot of love in these videos. Put more love on my state please.

I love the Colorado flag! I think the big C in the middle is just so iconic. We put it on everything and find really cool ways to make it look unique and interesting every time. But I agree that it's not a "bonafide beauty." I think there should have been another category for iconic flags that aren't quite a bonified beauty but have ascended beyond just a dorm room staple. I think Colorado, California, Texas, Maryland, and South Carolina should be in that category for sure.

"Put this on everything. And they do! They do put it on everything." As a certified swamp boy from ol' south cackalacky, I can confirm: they put it on fucking everything. There are like entire stores dedicated to that flag.

I’ve seen a lot of state flag ranking videos and yours has to be the best.

I had to draw the Maryland flag for a school project as a kid and lemme tell you all those straight lines with alternating colors were SO satisfying to draw ✨

Michigan …. “handsome cool guy v nerdy comic relief” in reference to the animals 😭😭

Fun fact: The Washington DC flag is based on the coat of arms of George Washington.

I definitely wanna see him react to the states welcome signs on highways.

pretty pleased about RI's placement. also if you meet a rhode islander in the wild there is a 50/50 chance they have an anchor tattoo.

As a lifelong Georgian, I can honestly say I didn't even know that was our flag.

You gotta do state capitol buildings next

Jersey finally get some love in this series

Arizona not being a bonafide beauty is an actual crime

As a NJ resident I’m shocked our flag made it that high up but honored

19:20 So the man on the back of the license plate is the seed sower he's a reference to the agriculture

"Sic Semper Tyrannis" "Thus, always to tyrants." It's what John Wilkes Booth shouted after killing Lincoln.

I want a video of the States ranked from best to worst solely due to their flags, license plates and driver's licenses (and whatever else Scott decides to rank in the future....stamps?)

I don't know why, but Scotts mannerisms just scream 40 year old dad. hes just so inviting

I love the louisiana one! The baby birds are so cute lol i dont love the repetitive blue background (I'm from PA and ours is also the same boring blue) but still I was thinking this wouls def be top tier for me

I worked for a Minnesota-based company last year, and during one of our meetings, I kept hearing them talk about potential legs in a certain business process. I kept writing down "leg" as they spoke, and when I finally asked what a leg was, they replied, "Oh, no, LAG." And that time it was clear, so it's good to know the ability's there, you just have to put extra effort into some words.

The thing in the middle of the Oklahoma flag is a shield not a dreamcatcher, btw.

seeing alabmas flag first and you give an opposite opinion to it than me 😅 i guess i gotta strap in for the rest of the video

You have to rank every state bird next. As a Minnesotan I will be very much personally offended if you don’t rank the loon as the best state bird.

Had to go watch JJ’s videos and I have a few things to say about the Seals on Bedsheets (SOB’s). My biggest problem with SOB’s has always been the bedsheet aspect. I think a flag should be unique. The 2 “rules” I agree with is “noticeable at a distance” and “minimal words”. I actually really like the crests for nearly every reason you discussed. But the dark blue background is what kills it. From a glance, they all look the same. I think there is a reason why Florida rarely makes its way into these discussions. It’s because it’s pretty much a seal in a background that isn’t blue. Similar with Washington State. And the big, bold, block letters also kill it. I wish the crests could be expanded for more of the flag shape. It is, quite simply, lazy to take a previous design and throw it on a bedsheet. That is dishonoring what it was. That’s like putting a 2x3 sticker of Starry Night on a mug. Expand it out. At the time seals were made, the main inspirations came from canvases. A rectangular shape. Imagine if the crests were a circle with a rectangle in the middle with the real crest. It defeats the purpose of the medium. Let creativity flow from it. To me, flags are a form of art. I LOVE an intricate flag design. Maryland is one of my favorite flags ever. I don’t believe intricacy is the issue. It’s that the intricacy is subjected to a little circle a fifth of the size of the actual canvas and the most generic ocean blue is paint bucketed on the rest. Thank you for reading my TED Talk. Goodnight TriState Area!

Love these videos!

Scott not realizing that alabamas flag is just a modified confederate flag is wild