The flag of Washington was introduced on 5th of March in 1923. However, the following date can also be found in various sources: the 7th of June in 1923, which is the date on which the constitutional body adopted the law. The flag is a single-coloured green bunting with the seal of the state in the centre. The seal dates back to 1889 and was designed by the Talcott brothers using a round inkwell, a silver dollar coin (for the circles) and a stamp with the portrait of George Washington. In 1925, the flag was authorised to have gold fringe all around. In 1955, Washington's Secretary of State established standardised colours for the state flag and the state seal for the first time. At the request of the Secretary of State of Washington, the state seal was revised by Dick Nelms in 1967. Gilbert Stuart's famous portrait painting of George Washington was taken into account. Since then, the image of George Washington has had a light blue background and is surrounded by a golden ring with black lettering. On 17th of June in 2027, the Washington State Department again issued specifications ("Specification of Design and Layout") for the colours in the flag. Pantone colours are also specified: Green = Irish Green = Pantone 348 C, Yellow = Spanish Yellow = Pantone 116 C, Blue = Oriental Blue = Pantone 311 C, Skin colour = Eggshell = Pantone 169 C. Because of its many coniferous forests, the state is nicknamed the "Evergreen State". This fact was decisive in 1923 when the colour for the flag was chosen. But even before that, there were several unofficial flags, also in green, but also purple and blue. There was also a blue flag with a portrait of George Washington in gold. It was designed to mark the state's troops in the Spanish-American War, the Washington Volunteer Infantry, in 1898. As it seems, however, no image of this flag has survived.
The territory was given its name in 1853 in honour of George Washington, the first president of the USA. Originally, the name "Columbia" was intended, which explains the "British Columbia" located to the north – in Canada. To avoid confusion with the city of Washington, the name "Tacoma" was proposed for the newly incorporated state in 1889, what was not supported. To distinguish it from the capital of the USA, the capital is called "Washington D.C." and the state is often referred to as "Washington State".
